THEODOROS OF ALEXANDRIA: “ST DIONYSIOS IS THE PRESENCE OF THE GOD OF LOVE AND FORGIVENESS AMONG US”.

On 15th December 2017, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa arrived on the Island of Zakynthos, following an invitation from His Eminence Dionysios Metropolitan of Zakynthos, to officiate at the worship functions in honour of the sacred memory of the Patron Saint St Dionysios Archbishop of Aegina and the festivities in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the translation of the Holy Relics of the Saint, from the Strofades Islands to Zakynthos (1717-2017).

His Beatitude the Patriarch is accompanied by Their Eminences Metropolitans Elder Gabriel of Leontopolis, George of Guinea, Theodoros of Heliopolis and the Very Reverend Archimandrite Daniel Biazis Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod.

On the morning of 16th December, the Alexandrian Primate arrived at the glorious historic Holy Imperial Cenobetic Monastery of Strofades and St DIonysios, to attend the special ceremony of the “Removal” of the Holy Relics from the shrine where it is kept. The Very Reverend Abbot Archimandrite Dionysios and the Holy Brotherhood welcomed the Patriarch warmly.

Immediately afterwards, accompanied by the local Metropolitan Dionysios IV, he was shown around the Museum of the Monastery, in the oresence of His Eminence Chrysostomos of Dodoni, where he marveled at the historical relics which are exhibited there.

His Beatitude then visited the Parish of the Transfiguration of the Saviour in Gaitani, where the relics of the Cretan Saint Joseph of Samakos are preserved. He then went on a veneration visit to the Holy Retreat of Panagia Eleftherotria, where the nuns of the Convent, led by the Venerable Abbess Elder Magdalene welcomed him warmly. In the evening, with all due formality, religious devotion and ecclesiastical majesty, officiated by His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II, the Great Resurrectional Patriarchal Vespers was served, in the imposing Church of the Holy Monastery, in the presence of many Hierarchs.

At the end of Vespers, Metropolitan Dionysios of Zakynthos awarded the Primate of the Alexandrian Church, the Highest Medal of St Dionysios of the Holy Metropolis of Zakynthos.

On 17th December, the day of the Feast of St Dionysios, His Beatitude the Patriarch will conduct the festal Patriarchal Divine Liturgy.