SECOND DAY OF THE ALEXANDRIAN PRIMATE’S VISIT TO SUDAN

On the morning of 15th February 2018, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa visited and prayed at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation in Khartoum. Immediately thereafter, in an interview to the BBC and other channels inside the Church, His Beatitude spoke of the history of Hellenism in Sudan as well as in other Orthodox Missions on the African Continent, expressed his joy on being in Sudan which he is visiting for the second time and thanked the President of the country for the warm welcome afforded him by the Sudanese Government. He also praised the excellent and harmonious coexistence of Christians and Muslims in the beautiful country embraced by the Nile River.

He then went to the Diocese and the offices of the Holy Metropolis, were he and the local Metropolitan discussed various issues concerning the Orthodox Christians of Sudan and gave the necessary guidance.

He then went to the Embassy of Egypt in Khartoum, where he was welcomed by the Counselor of the Embassy and the person in charge of Public Relations, as the Ambassador was away in Cairo. He thanked them for the warm welcome and spoke of the excellent relations with the President of Egypt. as well as the mutual efforts taking place for the benefit of the country in many areas. He also spoke of the fraternal ties between Greece and Egypt and Sudan, as well as the Greek presence in Sudan both now and in the past. On their behalf, the Embassy of Egypt welcomed the Patriarch to Sudan, considering his visit as important to both countries, Egypt and Sudan, and said that the Embassy of Egypt will stand by the Greeks, wherever necessary.

Immediately afterwards the Primate of the Alexandrian Throne went to the Honorary Greek Consulate which is housed in the “ACROPOL” Hotel, where he was welcomed by the Honorary Consul of Greece in Sudan, Mr. Gerasimos Pagoulatos, with whom he had a brief discussion regarding the Greeks in Sudan. His Beatitude gave Mr. Pagoulatos a Tome pm St George of Cairo, in Commemoration of his visit to Sudan.

At noon, the Patriarch attended a lunch which was hosted in his honour by the Honorary Consul, in the presence also of the Chairlady of the Hellenic Community of Khartoum, Dr. Alexandra Pateraki.