On 31st December 2008, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, received in his Private Patriarchal Office, ass is usual, the Auxilliary Bishops and the clergy of the Holy Archdiocese of Alexandria, who sang carols and gave their festive wishes. He then received the good wishes of the Patriarchate staff. His Beatitude gave gifts and blessings to all.
On the afternoon of the same day, His Beatitude officiated at the Service of Great Vespers at the Patriarchal Chapel of Ss Theodoroi attended by many faithful. Following the service and in the full Throne Room, he presented the minutes of the past year 2008, expressed his gratitude for the support and protection to His Excellency the President of Egypt Mr Hosni Mubarak, to the Greek Government, via the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Alexandria, Mr. George Diakofotakis and to the Greek and Arabic speaking Orthodox Communities of Alexandria. He then blessed the Vasilopitta of the Patriarchate. Present at this festive gathering were the Consul General, representatives of Helllenic and Arabic Orthodox Communities of Alexandria as well as from Hellenic Societies and Associations.
On 1st January 2009, His Beatitude attended the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria and officiated at the Doxology for the New Year, together with His Grace Gabriel of Mareotis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria and His Grace Spyridon of Kanopos, Hegumen of the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas the Sanctified.
At noon on New Year’s Day he visited the aged at the Kaniskerion Old Aged Home. Later on, at the Hall of the Hellenic Community he blessed the Vasilopitta and attended the festive lunch.
