PATRIARCH THEODOROS: “ST NEKTARIOS IS THE PRIDE OF THE ALEXANDRIAN THRONE AND OF ALL ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS

Continuing his missionary journey to the Holy Diocese of Malawi, on Saturday 15 February 2020, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, accompanied by His Eminence Daniel Metropolitan of Aksum and His Grace Fotios Bishop of Malawi, arrived at the Holy Church of the Resurrection, in the Bayani district of the city of Blantyre, where he was enthusiastically welcomed by the crowds of Malawian faithful, who “took palm branches and went out to meet“ their spiritual Father.

Once he had blessed the crowd of faithful Christians, the Patriarch ascended the Throne where a festive Doxology was sung for his arrival. This was followed by addresses by the Parish Priest Protopresbyter Nicodemus and His Grace Fotios Bishop of Malawi.

At the end of the Doxology, His Beatitude celebrated the Enthronement of His Grace Fotios, Bishop of Malawi. He then went on to visit the schools around the Church, where there are 500 pupils, as well as the daily meal kitchen of the Parish.

The Patriarch and his entourage then left for the Holy Church of the Holy Trinity, where after he was welcomed, the Synaxis of the Clergy of the Diocese took place and where His Beatitude gave appropriate advice and guidance on how to best serve their pastoral ministry, urging them to emulate the great Saint of our century, Nektarios, Bishop of Pentapolis, whose 100th year since dormition is celebrated this year by the Alexandrian Throne.

Then, following the conclusion of the Synaxis, the Patriarch traveled to the Nyambadwe district, where he celebrated the Service of the Sanctification of Water, for the inauguration of the buildings and the new offices of the Holy Diocese of Malawi.

On the next day, Sunday 16th February, His Beatitude the Patriarch celebrated the service at the Holy Community Church of St Nektarios Bishop of Pentapolis, where he was most warmly welcomed by the entire Greek Community of the city.

The Divine Liturgy was attended by His Excellency the Ambassador of the Arabic Republic of Egypt Mr. Hassan Shawky.

Prior to the dismissal the Chairman of the Church Committee Mr. Ioannis Skordis welcomed the Patriarch with warm expressions, and the local Bishop Fotios gave him an icon of St Nektarios, in remembrance of the festive functions in his honour.

His Beatitude announced that from Malawi and from the heart of Africa, the events of the Alexandrian Throne will begin to extend throughout the Continent to highlight the sanctified person of the Patron Saint of our Patriarchate. He also thanked the Greek Orthodox TV station 4E for covering his missionary tour in Africa. Then, outside the Church, the Patriarch, together with His Hierarchs, carried out a symbolic planting of olive trees, stressing the need for the peaceful coexistence of the peoples of the earth and the end of all forms of violence, from wherever it comes.