On 5th January 2012 His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa officiated at the Service of the Royal Hours, Great Vespers and the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Patriarchal Church of St Savvas the Sanctified.
During the Feast of Theophany His Beatitude officiated at the Divine Liturgy and the Service of the Greater Blessing of Waters at the Holy Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Alexandria, con-celebrating with His Grace Gabriel, Bishop of Mareotis Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria and in the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of Greece in Egypt Mr Christodoulos Lazaris, the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Cyprus in Alexandria Mr. Andreas Kouzoupis, the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Alexandria Mr. Christos Kapodistrias, representatives of the Hellenic Community, the Cyprus Brotherhood, Hellenic Associations and Societies of the Great City and many faithful Christians.
Immediately thereafter His Beatitude the Patriarch officially received in the Patriarchal See His Excellency the Governor of Alexandria Mr Hosam el Fouly, accompanied by a party of high-ranking members of local Government, State Security officials and other officers of the country.Addressing his honoured guest His Beatitude mentioned the two-thousand year presence of the Patriarchate in Egypt and expressed the certainty of its progressive path as well as his gratitude for the love, respect and support towards the multifaceted efforts of the Alexandrian Church.In his reply His Excellency the Governor thanked the Venerable Primate for the warm welcome, as well as the Greeks for whatever they have historically contributed to Egypt. He also described the Patriarchal Mansion as a “spiritual jewel” and pride for the Great City and an agent of development for the Land of the Nile.
At noon His Beatitude officiated at the service of the Blessing of the Waters at the Naval Club in Alexandria. Many young Hellenes swam in the freezing water of the sea to bring out the Precious Cross. His beatitude gave them all valuable commemorative gifts. The Chairman of the Naval Club Mr Edmond Kassimatis then hosted an official lunch in honour of the Patriarch and the entire community. Archim. Panteleimon Arathymos
