Presentation of the album: “PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA: Ten years (2006-2016) since the inauguration of the Patriarchal Mansion”

With the blessing and in the presence of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, in the afternoon of 16th October 2017, in the full central function hall of the Patriarchal Mansion, the presentation of the album, titled:

“PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA: Ten years (2006-2016) since the inauguration of the Patriarchal Mansion”

took place with great success.

The elegant, luxurious 230-page Album was published with the sponsorship of the National Bank of Greece in order to capture and imprint the great work of the radical renovation and reconstruction of the monumental building complex of the Patriarchal Mansion, as well as the promotion of the historical treasures preserved within its Archaeological Museum, the Sacristy and the famous Patriarchal Library.

The album has prologues by His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, the President of the National Bank of Greece Mrs. Louka Katseli and the Architect Dr Mohamed Awad. The publication, the artistic design and the photographs were edited by Mrs. Maria Stefosi, with her collaborators.

The main speaker was the Alexandrian Professor Dr Spyridon Th. Kamalakis, Great Archon Logothetes of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, who presented the new album.

He was followed by His Eminence Narcissos Metropolitan of Accra, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, who presented it in Arabic.

Thereafter, an extract of extraordinary audiovisual material (video) was screened, created by ET3, showing the premises of the Patriarchal Mansion and its Museums.

Then, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Ukraine, Mr. Vladimir Skurov and the President of the ADEF-UKRANIA Publishing House Mr. Igor Shpak, publisher and donor of the famous Holy Gospel of “Peresopnitsa” (16th century), gave the Patriarch a copy of the Gospel, which is considered to be the most sacred heirloom of the Ukraine. The Minister also handed over to the Alexandrian Primate an official letter from the Canonical Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine.

The concluding address was given by His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, who referred to the importance of the task of displaying these “deposits” of civilization, which are the treasures of the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria. In conclusion he wholeheartedly thanked all the collaborators of the publication.

At the end of the function, a musical programme followed by the internationally renowned artists, Mrs. Adamantia Karmiri, Mr. Stephanos Korolis and Miss Sophia Manousaki.

Present were His Ecellency the Governor of Alexandria Dr Mohamed Sultan, His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Mr. Yiannis Amanatidis, His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Ukraine Mr. Vladimir Skurov, His Excellency the Ambassador of Greece in Egypt Mr. Michael-Christos Diamesis, His Excellency the Ambassador of Cyprus in Egypt Mr. Haris Moritsis, the Consuls General of Greece, Spain, Lebanon and Sudan in Alexandria, the Representative of the Coptic Patriarch My Yusef Daoud, the Rector of the University of Alexandria, the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria, the Chairman of the Arabic speaking Community of Alexandria, Heads of the Army, the Security Forces, political authorities of the Great City, Chairmen of Greek and Egyptian Associations and many people.

An official dinner followed, hosted by the Lady of the Churches of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Mrs. Aikaterini Belafanti-Sofianou.