Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa sent a warm congratulatory Patriarchal Letter to the newly elected Archbishop Apostolos of Canada following his election by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Expressing the profound spiritual joy of the Church of St. Mark, Patriarch Theodore wished the new Archbishop strength and divine assistance as he assumes his new and significant archpastoral ministry.
“With the deepest spiritual joy and love, we received the joyful news of your canonical and unanimous election as Archbishop and Shepherd of the Holy Archdiocese of Canada, and, gladly proclaiming ‘Axios,’ we extend to you our heartfelt congratulations and prayers,” the Patriarch wrote.
Patriarch Theodore emphasized that the confidence placed in Archbishop Apostolos by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod constitutes both a great honor and a considerable responsibility.
He also reflected on the demands of episcopal ministry in the contemporary world, noting that the Church is called to bear unwavering witness to Christ while preserving its ethos and Tradition and, at the same time, embracing modern humanity with pastoral discernment, paternal care and a spirit of service.
Referring specifically to the Archdiocese of Canada, the Patriarch described it as “a living center of the Orthodox faith and Greek Orthodox tradition,” stressing that the presence of its hierarch should foster unity, reconciliation and hope.
Patriarch Theodore also referred to Archbishop Apostolos’ Dodecanesian origins, conveying through him his particular affection and warm greetings to the Dodecanese, with which he maintains longstanding spiritual and ecclesiastical ties.
He fondly recalled the late Metropolitan Apostolos of Rhodes (†2004) and the late Metropolitan Amphilochios of Ganou and Chora (†2026), while extending his Patriarchal greetings and love in Christ to Metropolitan Kyrillos of Rhodes, whom he described as a hymnographer and valuable supporter of the missionary work of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Africa.
Concluding his letter, Patriarch Theodore expressed his confidence that the Archdiocese of Canada would find in its new shepherd “a genuine pastor who listens to the voice of the people, supports his co-workers and humbly bears witness to the truth of the Gospel.”
He wished Archbishop Apostolos a “long, peaceful, healthy and God-pleasing” episcopal ministry, abundant in good fruits, for the glory of God, the strengthening of the faithful, and the joy and blessing of the Holy Archdiocese of Canada.
