In an pious atmosphere and with the proper splendor, the memory of our Holy Father Savvas the Sanctified was celebrated again this year, he who according to the hymnographer is the guide of Monastics in Alexandria, the Queen of the Mediterranean.
His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, officiated at the Great Patriarchal and Festive Vespers, together with the Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, His Eminence Narcissus Metropolitan of Naucratis, His Grace Germanos Bishop of Tamiathus and the Holy Clergy of Alexandria.
Before the Dismissal, Patriarch Theodoros, the Spiritual Father of the African Continent, in an emotionally charged atmosphere, tonsured as a monk the Novice Basil Stamoulis, giving him the name Spyridon, thus honoring a great Ecclesiastical figure who loved monasticism, the simple and humble Blessed Metropolitan of Spyridon of Lagada.
His Beatitude addressed the new monk Spyridon as a father, welcomed him to the blessed fraternity of the Fathers of St Savvas and urged him through practice and obedience, to acquire the monastic virtues, but also to keep intact, unblemished and blessed the name which he received by following the example of the late Blessed Metropolitan Spyridon of Lagada.
Deeply moved, the Patriarch told Fr. Spyridon that at the time he was giving him his name, that exact time 12 years previously was the time that the Blessed Metropolitan Spyridon was breathing his last.
On Sunday 5th December 2021, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa officiated at Orthros and Served the Divine Liturgy at the Katholikon of the Holy Monastery, together with His Eminence Narcissus Metropolitan of Naucratis, His Grace Germanos Bishop of Tamiathus.
Also present in the Holy Sanctuary were the Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod the Very Reverend Archimandrite Nicodemus Totkas, the Head of th Saint Athanasios Academy the Very Reverend Archimandrite Isaac Tsapoglou and clergy of the Patriarchate.
With words of paternal love, His Beatitude the Patriarch addressed the faithful, for whom he prayed that Saint Savvas who celebrates today, but also Saint Nicholas who will celebrate tomorrow, will be a consolation, blessing and comfort in the lives of all believers and their families.
Most notable is the mention by His Beatitude of the visit of Pope Francis to Lesvos, which he greeted with great joy.
"Today, as Primate, I would like to praise the visit of Pope Francis to Lesvos. He left the Vatican and his church and as a humble Argentine missionary, he will be beside our poor brothers and sisters in Mytilene, to stand by them and give comfort and love to all refugees and immigrants”.
During the Divine Liturgy, the Alexandrian Primate did the Ordination to the Diaconate of Fr. Spyridon Stamoulis as all as the consecration as Archimandrite of Fr. Maros Kalinga from Tanzania, both brothers of the Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas.
Paternally addressing the newly-tonsured Deacon His Beatitude advised him: “With the blessing of you Spiritual Father Issac whom you followed to Alexandria, you must honour the name that you bear, honour Greece our homeland, the ancient Patriarchate, but above all, honour your self, for I will be judged first in the kingdom of heaven, and then you, through your tears, through your repentance, through your hope in God, you will be gracious and bless our Church, that you may stand before the Righteous Judge".
Elsewhere in his speech, His Beatitude praised the obedience and modesty that defines the new clergyman of the Alexandrian Throne, elements which, as he characteristically underlined, are guarantees that his path will be blessed in the Church, as long as, with the fear of God, with love for God and hope in the Most Holy Virgin, he maintains them and multiplies them.
Addressing the new Archimandrite of the Throne, Fr. Markos, the Patriarch of Alexandria emphasized: “The time has come for you to return to your homeland and to assist with the Missionary effort. As you leave you will take with you the blessing of all the fathers, but above all you will take with you the blessing of St Savvas, to whose Monastery you came and in which you became a mon, received your ordinations, and now having been blessed you return to your homeland to serve it”.
In addition, His Beatitude stressed the participation of Fr. Markos in the work of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in his particular homeland and added:
"You will meet suffering people in Tanzania, you will not meet wealth. You will see hands lifted up asking for mercy and help. Then you, too, give them a good word, tell them that the Church of St. Mark, the Patriarchate to which you belong, works day and night for the good of our brothers and sisters in suffering Africa ".
