THE FESTIVAL OF THEOPHANY AT THE PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA

                  On 6th January 2014, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa conducted the festive Divine Liturgy and the Service of the Great Sanctification of the Waters at the Holy Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria, together with His Eminence Gabriel Metropolitan of Leontopolis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, and in the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of Greece to Egypt Mr. Christodoulos Lazaris, representatives of the Hellenic Community, Greek Societies and Associations of the Great City as well as many Christian faithful.

                     Before the end of the Eucharistic gathering His Beatitude consecrated Fr Zacharias Enoch from Tanzania, as Archimandrite, to whom he lavishly bestowed Patriarchal wishes and blessings for the productive continuation of his ministry. Note that the Very Reverend Zacharias is the first of the graduates of the “St Athanasios” Patriarchal Academy to receive the rank of Archimandrite from His Beatitude.

                    Immediately thereafter His Beatitude officially received at the Patriarchal See a large group of high-ranking officials from the local Government, the State Security and other officers of the country. His Beatitude asked them to convey his heartfelt wishes to the political and military leaders of the country, for political harmony and social stability and at the same time thanked them warmly for the high security given to the See and the Patriarchal Institutions.

                At noon His Beatitude conducted the ceremony of the Sanctification of the Waters at the Hellenic Naval Club of Alexandria, a tradition which His Beatitude launched and observes with reverence from his first year as Patriarch. Pupils from the Hellenic Schools of the city dived into the icy waters of the east harbor of Alexandria to bring out the Precious Cross. His Beatitude gave them his blessing as well as precious commemorative gifts. The honorable Chairman of the Naval Club Mr. Edmond Kasimatis hosted an official lunch in honour of the Patriarch and the entire community.