On Sunday of Pentecost, June 4, 2023, Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa presided over the Great Vespers of the Goniklisia at the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of Saint Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria.
The participants in the work of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox and R/Catholic Churches held in the Great City co-officiated the service along with the Patriarch of Alexandria: Metropolitan Maximos of Pisidia (Ecumenical Patriarchate), Metropolitan Petros of Botswana (Patriarchate of Alexandria), Metropolitan Nektarios of Anthidon (Patriarchate of Jerusalem), Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe (Patriarchate of Romania), Metropolitan Vasilios of Constantia and Famagusta (Church of Cyprus), Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia (Church of Greece), Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë (Church of Albania) and Metropolitan Georgios of Michaloupolis and Kassovia (Church of the Czech Republic and Slovakia).
Metropolitan Theodore of Achaltsche (Patriarchate of Georgia) and the Metropolitans of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Elder Gabriel of Leontopolis, General Patriarchal Vicar, George of Guinea, Representative of the Unified Church of Greece in Athens, Nikodemos of Memphis, Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, Panteleimon of Naucratis, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod, Narcissus of Pelusium, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria and Tamiatheos Germanos, Head of the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of Saint Savvas the Sanctified of Alexandria, attended the service.
Subsequently, a festive reception was held in the Throne Room of the Patriarchal Monastery, during which the Metropolitans Job of Pisidia, and Maximos of Selyvria, offered a silver tray with the embossed figure of the Theotokos Pammakaristos to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in honor and thanks for the hospitality of the international Joint Theological Committee, while the Patriarch of Alexandria sent a Patriarchal omophorion and an epitrachelion to the Ecumenical Patriarch through the aforementioned Hierarchs.
The Metropolitan of Pisidia, Co-Chairman of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue, also offered a gift on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Naucratis, for the overall excellent organization of the international meeting.
Finally, the Greek Community of Alexandria hosted an official luncheon in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the members of the International Joint Theological Committee at its premises.
The above events were attended by the Consul General of Greece in Alexandria Athanasios Kotsionis, the President of the Greek Community of Alexandria Andreas Vafiadis, Presidents of historical Greek Organizations, Associations in Nilochora, Clergy of the Holy Archdiocese of Alexandria, etc.
Photos: Grigorios Chaliakopoulos, Alexandria
