SERVICE OF THE EPITAPHIOS AT THE PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA

On the night of Great and Holy Friday, 30 April 2021, the service of the Epitaphios was served at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria, officiated by His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, concelebrated by the Hierarchs of the Alexandrian Throne His Eminence Narcissus Metropolitan of Naucratis and His Grace Theodoros Bishop of Babylon.

The morning of Great and Holy Friday was preceded by the Service of the Great Hours and the Vespers of the Deposition from the Cross at the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas, and later, according to the Typikon of the Patriarchate, His Beatitude the Patriarch paid a visit to venerate at all the Churches of the Great City.

In an atmosphere of piety and emotion this year the procession of the Epitaphios took place around the Holy Church, under the sounds of the philharmonic band of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria playing the lamentations of the Epitaphios and the funeral marches, with the Hellenes of EGypt following reverently and the scouts leading the way.

In the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Alexandria, Mr Athanasios otsionis, the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria Mr. Ioannis Siokas, the Community Council and all the Chairmen and representatives of the Hellenic Associations of the City, His Beatitude wished to all, “that we overcome every difficulty and that our hearts will glow from the Light of the Resurrection” and thanked them for accompanying the Epitaphios this evening with piety and reverence.