Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa awarded the Grand Cross of Saint Mark to the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, during the latter’s visit to the Patriarchate of Alexandria on Sunday.
In a related social media post, Pierrakakis described the award as “the highest honor” and emphasized that it serves as “a reminder of our debt to this Ark of Orthodoxy and Greek community.”
From the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Pierrakakis announced the Greek government’s decision to secure the salaries, insurance, and pension rights of clergy who selflessly serve the Greek Diaspora around the world.
According to the minister’s post, two memoranda were also signed between the two sides, “in line with the government’s commitment to preserving Greek heritage, promoting knowledge within the context of the 21st century, and ensuring unhindered access to Greek education and training.”
Finally, in his post, Pierrakakis highlighted the digitization and cataloging of the historical archives of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa by the General State Archives. He also mentioned the opportunity for students from schools across Africa to study at the Ecclesiastical Schools of Greece.
“It is our contribution, another small stone in the millennia-long presence and contribution of the Patriarchate of Alexandria,” Pierrakakis stated, adding that “the Greek Community of Alexandria has always been a pillar of support and a life force for Hellenism in Africa.”
The Minister’s full social media post is as follows:
“The digitization and cataloging of the historical archives of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa by the General State Archives, along with the opportunity for students from schools across Africa to study at the Ecclesiastical Schools of Greece, represents our contribution—another small stone in the millennia-long presence and contribution of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
The Greek Community of Alexandria has always been a pillar of support and a vital force for Hellenism in Africa. That is why this is the appropriate place to announce the Greek Government’s decision to secure the salaries, insurance, and pension rights of the clergy who selflessly serve the Greek Diaspora worldwide.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek Government resolved a 77-year-long unresolved issue concerning the clergy serving within the Greek state. Now, he addresses the corresponding unresolved issue for the clergy of the Greek Diaspora.
The word “awe” alone captures the feeling of visiting this city with its unique radiance. Receiving the Grand Cross of Saint Mark from Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa is both an honor and a reminder of our debt to this Ark of Orthodoxy and the Greek community. We will always stand by their side, ready to reciprocate their invaluable contributions.
Two memoranda were also signed between the two sides, in line with the government’s commitment to preserving Greek heritage, promoting knowledge within the context of the 21st century, and ensuring unhindered access to Greek education and training.
Special thanks to His Eminence Metropolitan Ioannis of Zambia and Mozambique and His Eminence Metropolitan Symeon of Fthiotida, who, with the support of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, paved the way and demonstrated that this cooperation is both possible and, above all, beneficial for the students themselves.
Warm thanks are also extended to the President of the Ephorate of State Archives, Dimitris Sotiropoulos, for his significant contribution.
