On 17th August 2017, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, welcomed to the Patriarchate the Minister of Immigration Culture and Diaspora of Egypt, Ambassador Mrs. Nabila Makram Nodel Saied. His Beatitude the Patriarch discussed with her issues concerning the Patriarch of Alexandria, informing her of the activities of the Patriarchate in Egypt and throughout Africa. Present during the conversation were the Consul General of Greece in Alexandria, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelais and the Deputy Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria, Mr. Ioannis Siokas. The Minister gave a detailed analysis to His Beatitude regarding her activities asking for the moral and spiritual support of the Patriarch of her efforts. She also announced that she wishes to highlight the contribution of the Greeks to Egypt, asked for his support for a significant programme of meetings between 100 Greeks from Greece as well as other regions of the world where they live today (Greece, America, Australia, and wherever else) and 100 Greeks from Egypt from the Society of Egypt, during the month of November. The Egyptian Minister explained that this initiative would take place at sea, and that the Egyptians will pass from Alexandria, through the Suez Canal reaching the cosmopolitan resort of Sharm el Sheik, where a huge festival will take place dedicated to Hellenism, which is always on the side of Egypt. In fact, Mrs. Makram noted with satisfaction that this meeting will coincide with the meeting of the leaders of Egypt and Greece, President Abdul Fatah al Sisi and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in November. On his part, Patriarch Theodoros wished the Egyptian Minister great success on this initiative, from whom he asked to convey his warmest wishes and respect to His Excellency the President of Egypt Mr. Abdul Fatah al Sisi. He also spoke to the Egyptian Minister about the Missionary efforts of the Orthodox Church in Africa, the See of which is in Alexandria, the city in which the Minister has her origins, a fact for which he expressed his joy. In conclusion he gave her a book dedicated to the missionary effort, and gave her his personal prayer rope so that she may have it as an amulet, for which Mrs. Makram expressed her gratitude.
