THE PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA AT THE SINAI DEPENDENCY IN CAIRO

On Sunday 26th March 2017, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, on the occasion of the Feast of S John of the “Ladder”, visited the Sinai Dependency in Cairo, where he officiated at the Divine Liturgy. His Beatitude was accompanied by His Grace Theodoros, Bishop of Babylonos and Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo.

The Alexandrian Primate in his homily referred to the life, the times and the ascetic battles of the famous Abbot of Sinai, the Venerable John of Sinai, as well as to his book, the “Divine Ascent”, through which he conveyed over time to all generations the ascetic ideals of the Orthodox Church. He then went on to talk of the strong bonds between the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Monastery of Sinai, which both coexist harmoniously in Egypt. He emphasized that past disagreements, which lasted for over 600 years, with the so-called “Sinai Issue”, have now disappeared through the decisive contribution of the Great Meletios Metaxakis (1932) Patriarch of Alexandria, who with the prudence that defined him, contributed decisively to the elimination of these tragic pages of church history.

In conclusion, His Beatitude asked of the Sinai fathers in Cairo, to convey to the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St Catherine in Sinai, His Eminence Damianos, Archbishop of Sinai and to the Sinai Brotherhood, his warmest wishes and prayers for the remainder of Great Lent and Holy Pascha which is imminent.