Following the Gospel message “go therefore and make discipleσ of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, continues his Missionary Tour in the land of Uganda.
Beginning the fourth day of his tour, His Beatitude left, on Friday, October 15, for the city of Gulu in Northern Uganda, the seat of the Holy Diocese of Gulu and Eastern Uganda, accompanied by His Grace Sylvester Bishop of Gulu, the Locum Tenens of the Holy Metropolis of Kampala His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Makarios of Nairobi, His Grace Bishop Neophytos of Nieri, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Elpidophoros Limaios and the Orthodox Member of Parliament Mr. Theodore Sekikubo.
After a long journey, the Patriarch and his entourage arrived in the city of Gulu, where he had a meeting with the Mayor of the city, Mr. Alfred Okona, during which he expressed his joy for the development of Northern Uganda, while in the person of Mr. Okona, he thanked the President of Uganda for the hospitality provided. On his part, the Mayor thanked His Beatitude for his presence and assured him that he would stand by.
After the Hierarchical Synaxis, a festive event was held with local African dances and songs by the faithful, as a return of love and respect for the Venerable Primate of the Alexandrian Church.
Finally, the Patriarch visited the Acholi Bendo area, where he performed the consecration of St. Nektarios Clinic, thus closing the fourth day of the Missionary journey in Uganda.
On Saturday, October 16, His Beatitude served the Divine Liturgy and preached the homily in the Holy Cathedral of Saint Lavrentios, concelebrating with His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Makarios of Nairobi, His Grace Bishop Neophytos of Nieri and Mount Kenya and His Grace Sylvester Bishop of Gulu and Eastern Uganda. Many Clergy were also present in the Sanctuary.
Present at the Eucharistic gathering were the Member of Parliament Mr. Theodore Sekikubo and the Mayor of Gulu Mr. Alfred Okona.
It is worth noting that,His Beatitude, addressing the mayor, announced that he would bear the costs for the creation of a technical school in Gulu, expressing confidence that Gulu would soon become the largest city in Uganda.
Afterwards, the young people of the area held a festive event in honor of the Primate of Alexandria. Also, His Beatitude, after inaugurating the Missionary House, which is located near the Church of Saint Lavrentios, attended a festive lunch with the faithful, thus reviving the Agape Meals of the First Christian Churches.
Closing the fifth day of his tour in Uganda, the Alexandrian Primate left for the capital Kampala, where tomorrow he will serve the forty-day memorial service for the Late Blessed Elder metropolitan Jonah of Kampala.
