Patriarch Theodore presided over the celebration for the 100th anniversary of the Church of Saints Cyrus and John the Wonderworking Unmercenaries on Friday, October 30, which had been organized by the Greek community of Alexandria. The church has always been inextricably linked to to the history of the Alexandrian Church and the Greek Community of Alexandria.
The ancient coastal town where the church was built was called Canopus, but, according to tradition, it was renamed to Abukir, a word blend “Abu Qir” (Father Cyrus), one of a pair of fourth-century Christian martyrs venerated as Saints Cyrus and John.
It should be noted that Patriarch Theodore sent his wishes for the healing of COVID-19 patients, as reported by vema.com.au, while thanking the Communities that attended the event to celebrate the great anniversary; the Greek Community of Alexandria represented by the second Vice President, Pairi Pavlidou, and Arab-speaking Greek Orthodox Community of Alexandria represented by the President, Markos Vasilis. The President of the Lyceum Club of Greek Women of Alexandria, Aliki Antoniou, also attended the celebration.
The primate of Alexandria also referred to the man who had been the guardian and protector of the temple for decades, the late physician Periklis Tsaparis, who had arrived in Abukir from Ioannina and in parallel with his business, the famous restaurant “Abukir,” which hosted dozens of celebrities, he was dedicated to the promotion and maintenance of the church, which has been visited by all Alexandrians who lived in the city.
The Patriarchal Divine Liturgy was attended by the Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, Metropolitan Narcissus of Naucratis, who was thanked by Patriarch Theodore for all the care of the first phase of the renovation of the church, as well as the Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, Metropolitan Nikodimos of Memphis, and Bishop Germanos of Tamiathus, who proclaimed the Divine Word during the Divine Liturgy.
Finally, it should be noted that the Patriarch of Alexandria stressed that Saint Sophronius, the Patriarch of Jerusalem wrote their biography and the miracles they performed. This was his token of gratitude for the miracle performed by the Saints Anargyroi when the saints healed him after healing him.