On Sunday, December 1, 2024, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa visited the city of Krugersdorp, where he presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Apostle Andrew.
This annual festival, organized by the Cyprus Brotherhood of South Africa in honor of Apostle Andrew, is the largest celebration of its kind in the region, bringing together communities, federations, and unions from across South Africa. Concelebrating with the Patriarch were Metropolitan Damaskinos of Johannesburg and Pretoria, Metropolitan Georgios of Guinea, Archimandrites Timotheos Kapsalis and Athinodoros Papaevripiadis, and Presbyter Fr. Stylianos Nathaniel, the parish priest. Distinguished attendees included Greek Ambassador Mr. Georgios Aravositas, High Commissioner of Cyprus Mr. Antonis Mandritis, Ukrainian Ambassador Mrs. Liubov Abravitova, other dignitaries, and hundreds of pilgrims.
During the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarch gave special recognition to Metropolitan Damaskinos, commemorating his 20 years of dedicated service as a hierarch. Noting that Metropolitan Damaskinos was the first bishop he ordained after ascending to the Patriarchal throne, the Patriarch presented him with a Cross as a heartfelt gesture of appreciation.
The Patriarch also bestowed the Grand Cross of Saint Mark upon High Commissioner Antonis Mandritis and the Star of Saint Mark upon Steven Savvidis, a Great Benefactor of the Community. Additionally, he conferred the title of Archon Protopsaltis upon Christos Sofos. The service concluded with the procession of the icon of Apostle Andrew and the traditional artoklasia.
As part of the celebrations, the Cyprus Brotherhood marked the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus with a series of commemorative speeches. Mr. Arvanitis and High Commissioner Mandritis highlighted the ongoing struggle for justice and the return of refugees to their homeland. Mr. Mandritis called on the international community to show the same sensitivity to the illegal occupation of Cyprus as it has to the invasion of Ukraine.
In his address, Patriarch Theodore II expressed heartfelt prayers for Cyprus, Ukraine, Gaza, and all regions affected by warfare. He encouraged unity, creativity, and joy among the Greek community, praising their vibrant participation in the festival. As a token of his appreciation, he presented the President of the Cypriot Community with an icon of Panagia Agarathos.
The celebrations continued with a festive table featuring traditional Cypriot cuisine. Dance troupes, including groups of children and adults, performed traditional dances from Greece and Cyprus, bringing a lively and joyful atmosphere to the event.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
