The Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodoros II, paid tribute to an Egyptian from Port Said, who honored the Greek community in Egypt, Alekos Baladakis.
In a letter sent to the family of the late Egyptian, who bid farewell to him at St. Constantine’s Cathedral in Johannesburg, the primate of the Patriarchate of Alexandria emphasized, as reported by ekalexandria.org:
“It is with great sadness that we were informed the passing of our beloved Alekos Baladakis and our thoughts immediately ran to our late Archon, who was born and spent the first years of his life here in Egypt.
From an early age, Alekos had relations with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all of Africa, which financed his studies in Egypt. The beloved one never forgot this, so he had great love and respect towards the institution.
He created his own history in the Greek community of South Africa and made his contribution to the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
And when he emigrated to South Africa, where he successfully pursued his career and created his family with his sweetheart, Mrs. Paraskevi, who is also Egyptian, never forgot Port Said, never forgot our Orthodox Church. On the contrary, he instilled his love for this place in his two children, Panagiotis and Giannis, and in their families.
I remember his longing and genuine interest to be informed about what was happening in Egypt.
May his memory be eternal,” concluded the Patriarch of Alexandria.