On Thursday 24th November 2016, in the presence of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, a very successful presentation took place of the Volume “St George in Old Cairo” at the Sarogleion Mansion in Athens, which was attended by representatives of the ecclesiastical, business, cultural and social life of the country.
Attending the presentation were the representative of His Beatitude Ieronymos Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, His Grace Iakovos Bishop of Thavmakou, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Giannis Amanatides, the Special Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Efstahios Liantis, many Priests from the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Hierarchs of the Church of Greece, Mr. And Mrs. Athanasios and Marina Martinou who Great Benefactors of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Office Bearers of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, clergy and laity.
An address was made by the Representative of the Alexandrian Patriarch in Athens, His Eminence George Metropolitan of Guinea, and then the book was presented by Mrs. Lina Mendoni, former Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, who spoke extensively on the history of the Church of St George and the contribution of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in the spreading of the Gospel message in Africa.
Also, a talk was given on the restoration works od the Holy Church by the Civil Engineer of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki Dr. Gregory Penelis, Honorary Head of the Directorate of Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments Dr. Nikos Minos and the art historian and editor of the book Mr. George Milonas.
In his address His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, visibly moved, spoke of the two great benefactors of the restoration of the Holy Church, Athanasios and Marina Martinou, and also wholeheartedly thanked all those who worked so hard on the Church of St George Old Cairo, from the engineers to the simple workers.
Finally after the presentation, a music programme followed by Mrs. Evanthia Reboutsika.
