Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa met with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, on Monday and discussed issues that concern the area of Egypt, the “Hellenism Center” being built in the new Administrative Capital of Cairo, and humanitarian missions throughout Africa.
Speaking after the meeting at the Presidential Palace, the Patriarch said that he was in Cyprus for a while and expressed “great joy” for his first official visit to the new President of the Republic of Cyprus, with whom, he said, has “a great friendship” since President Christodoulides was Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He recalled that, as Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, he has two poles, Alexandria, and Egypt in general, noting “the great relations and friendship between the Egyptian people and Hellenism”, while the other pole is the one concerning the status of Patriarch of All Africa, adding that the Church of Alexandria has a “dynamic presence” in 54 African countries.
“So today, with our President as old good friends, we discussed the issues that concern our world in Egypt, and for the new ‘Hellenism Center‘ that I am preparing in the new capital of Cairo, a personal gift of (Egyptian) President Sisi, and it will be a very big strong center of Hellenism, of Cypriot Hellenism, and of Egypt,” he added.
He said that they also discussed the large humanitarian missions of the Patriarchate in Africa, noting that they have 2,000 schools and 3,000 medical centers “scattered throughout the continent of the future, Africa.” The Patriarch expressed “a big thank you to my Cypriot brothers who, wherever they travel in vast Africa, are always helpful in my work”, while noting that what connects them is the presence of the Exarchate of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Nicosia.
In closing, he wished everyone “health and joy and to express my great gratitude because you never forget the missionary, Patriarch Theodore.”
Moreover, the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus said in a tweet that President Christodoulides had today a meeting with Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria and All Africa, as part of his visit to Cyprus. They discussed, among other things, issues related to the creation of the new Hellenism Center in Cairo and the humanitarian missions of the Patriarchate in Africa.
Source: sigmalive.com
