On 31st December 2016, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, received in his Private and Patriarchal Office, as is customary, His Eminence Narkissos Metropolitan of Accra, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, His Grace Agathonikos, Bishop of Arusha and Central Tanzania and the Clergy of the Patriarchate and of the Holy Archdiocese of Alexandria, who sang carols and conveyed their festive wishes. Then carols were sung by the Patriarchal staff, to whom His Beatitude gave gifts and blessings.
In the afternoon of the dame day His Beatitude officiated at Great Vespers at the Holy Patriarchal Chapel of St Theodori, at the end of which he awarded the office of Protopresbyter to Father Sami Mendawar, a Priest of the Holy Archdiocese of Alexandria.
All present then went to the Throne Room where His Beatitude presented the minutes of the past year 2016, and expressed grateful thanks for their proven support to both the Egyptian and Greek Governments, as well as to the Greek and Arabic Speaking Orthodox Communities of Alexandria. Addressing His Beatitude the Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria highlighted the value of the past year, referred to the sad events which shocked and unfortunately continue to shock the nations of the world, particularly the region of the Middle East, praised the indefatigable activities of His Beatitude the Patriarch during the past year, wishing him length of days and all strength from God in his Patriarchal endeavours.
His Beatitude then blessed the Vasilopita of the Patriarchate, in the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Alexandria, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis and representatives of the Greek and Arabic speaking Orthodox Communities.
On 1st January 2017, His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II, officiated at the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria, and conducted the Doxology for the beginning of the New Year, together with His Eminence Metropolitan Narkissos of Accra, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, His Grace Agathonikos Bishop of Arusha and Central Tanzania and the Clergy.
At noon on New Year’s Day His Beatitude visited the elderly at the Old Age Home of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria, where he wished them many years, giving them gifts and blessings.
