NEW YEAR’S DAY IN THE CITY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT

On the first day of the new year 2024 in renowned Alexandria, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, officiated during the Divine Liturgy held in the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were His Eminence Panteleimon Metropolitan of Naucratis, Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Narcissus Metropolitan of Pelusium, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria and His Eminence Germanos Metropolitan of Tamiathus Head of the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St. Savvas of the Great City.

This was followed by the Doxology for the beginning of the new year. In attendance were Mr. Ioannis Pyrgakis, Consul General of Greece, who read the Message of Her Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic to the expatriate Greeks, the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria Mr. Andreas Vafiadis, the Captain of the Navy Mr. Konstantinos Varouxis, liaison of the Hellenic Navy with the corresponding one of Egypt et al.

In his address His Beatitude wished everyone love, peace and health. He also did not forget once again to refer to our Christian brothers and sisters of Ukraine, to  fellow human beings of the Middle East and elsewhere, who are tormented by unbrotherly civil strife and destructive aggressive wars, fervently expressing the wish and hope that the peoples will soon regain their inner peace and reject all bloody absurdity.

This was followed by the cutting of the New Year St Basil cake of the Cathedral of Alexandria by His Beatitude, who also congratulated His Eminence Panteleimon of Naucratis, Hierarchical Head of the beautiful church, for the festive reception and hospitality.

Finally, His Beatitude the Patriarch, accompanied by His Eminence Narcissus of Pelusium, the Consul General of Greece and the Chairman of the Hellenic Community, went to the “MANNA” Old Age Home of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria, where he visited the residents, gave good wishes and offered blessings and ate together with them.