THE ELEVATION OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS IN ALEXANDRIA

On Monday 14th September 2015, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa conducted Orthros and the Divine Liturgy, as well as the ceremony of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross at the Holy Patriarchal Church of St Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria, together with His Eminence Gabriel, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria and His Grace Meletios Bishop of Naukratis.

Also present at the Eucharistic gathering was the new Consul General of Greece in Alexandria, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis.

In his homily His Beatitude spoke of the historical and notional significance of the feast, emphasizing the importance of sacrificial love as inspired by the Precious Cross, and prayed that its grace would strengthen and protect all suffering Christians, even mentioning that during his recent trip to Russia, he had the opportunity of discussing with Patriarch Kyrill the persecutions of Christians in the Middle East. Note that the Patriarchal Vestments he was wearing during the Liturgy, inspired by designs of Tsar Alexis Mihailovic in the 17th Century, are a gift from Patriarch Kyrill.