A cordial visit to the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa is being undertaken from the afternoon of 3rd March by His Beatitude Epiphanios, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine, accompanied by Their Eminences Syeon of Vinnitsa and Eustratios of Bila Tserkva and other clergy.
At the international airport of Cairo His Beatitude was received by Their Eminences the Metropolitans Nikodimos of Memphis, Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo and George of Guinea, Representative of His Beatitude in Athens, the Great. Ecclesiarch, the Very Reverend Stefanos Souliniotis, His Excellency the Ambassador of Ukraine to Cairo, as well as the Honorable Consul of Ukraine in the Egyptian capital.
On the morning of March 4, His Beatitude the Metropolitan of Kiev went to the Patriarchal Vicariate of Cairo where prayers were said in the presence of Greek Community authorities, at the Holy Cathedral of St Nicholas. Immediately afterwards His Beatitude the Primate was addressed in the Throne Hall by the Patriarchal Vicar, His Eminence Metropolitan Nikodimos of Memphis,. This was followed by the reply of His Beatitude, the exchange of commemorative gifts and a tour of the premises of the Vicariate, including the residence of the former Patriarchal Commissioner of Cairo, St Nectarios of Pentapolis.
Afterwards, His Beatitude and his entourage, after visiting the Cairo Archaeological Museum, made a pilgrimage to the centuries-old Holy Patriarchal Monastery of Saint George Old Cairo. After the Prayers, during which His Beatitude of Kie was addressed by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai, there was an exchange of gifts, a Trisagion was sung at the tombs of the Patriarchs of Alexandria by Metropolitan Epifanios, a tour of the Museums of the Monastery and an official lunch.
On the afternoon of March 4, His Beatitude of Kiev, accompanied by Their Eminences the Metropolitans George of Guinea and Nikodimos of Memphis arrived by road at the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas the Sanctified of Alexandria, where he received a warm welcome from His Beatitude Theodoros Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, accompanied by Their Eminences Metropolitans Elder Gabriel of Leontopolis, Patriarchal Vicar General,Panteleimon of Naucratis, Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, of Narcissus of Pelusium, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria and Germanos of Tamiathuss, Head of the Holy Monastery.
Following the Doxology, His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch addressed the Ukrainian Primate, referring to the historical path, as well as the decisive contribution of the ancient Apostolic Throne of Saint Mark to the doctrinal teaching of the Church of Alexandria. He also emphasized the importance of the unity and peaceful cooperation of the Churches in today’s turbulent world.
In reply, His Beatitude Epiphanios of Kyiv expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome, and underlined the precious missionary and humanitarian value of the Senior Patriarchate in Africa, which the Autocephalous Church of Ukraine will always accompany in love and harmony.
Photographs by Mr. Vasileios Poularikas, Cairo
