During the recent period of political and community unrest in Egypt, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, was in Cairo in order to in every way support the Greek and Arab Orthodox brothers and sisters who live in the Egyptian capital.
Despite the difficulties and the dangers of travelling, the strict controls and the restriction of movement after sunset, His Beatitude, accompanied by His Grace Nikodimos of Nitria, Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo and Very Reverend Archimandrite Panteleimon Arathymos, Director of his private office, visited the Holy Monastery of St George, thereby supporting His Grace the Hegumen, Bishop Niphon of Babylonos and the fathers, the Holy Churches, institutions and the suffering faithful who chose to remain in the country. We must confess that, despite the tense atmosphere, His Beatitude was treated with respect and was facilitated by the Egyptian army and the civil defence during his travels.
On 4th February 2011 His Beatitude returned to Alexandria where he repeated the visits to the holy churches and institutions of the Great City, strengthening the faithful there too; he showed particular concern for those at the Kaniskerion Old Age Home of the Hellenic Community.
It is to be noted that during this difficult period concern and support was expressed by the Venerable Primates of Orthodox Churches telephonically to His Beatitude the Patriarch of Alexandria. Also, the concern of the Hellenic State and Diplomatic officials was ceaseless, as also by influential figures of the political and business world, hierarchs and priests who were worried about the safety of the Patriarchate. Expressly noted was the concern of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Dimitris Droutsas, who spoke with His Beatitude.
The Media addressed His Beatitude constantly, who through them heard of the anxiety of all regarding the goings on.
