A message of love and support from the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, to the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodore, was conveyed by the representative of the Egyptian leader during today’s Christmas Divine Liturgy in Cairo. During the brief conversation he had with the primate of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the representative stressed the support of Egypt for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, which has been living in Egypt for two thousand years.
Addressing Mohamed Ghia, representative of the Egyptian president, the Patriarch of Alexandria spoke of the hospitable country of Nile, Egypt, which was the one that hosted Jesus Christ as a divine infant, but even stood as a beacon of love for the whole world and the Mediterranean region.
The Patriarch of Alexandria thanked all the representatives of the Egyptian State for their presence in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Hamzawi in Cairo.
Finally, the Patriarch of Alexandria thanked all the members of the Greek community who, in the midst of the pandemic, came to the church to attend the Christmas service.
It should be noted that the Patriarch of Alexandria paid tribute to all the doctors and nurses who lost their lives during the pandemic while conveying his patriarchal thanks to all the researchers who did their utmost for the development of COVID-19 vaccine.
“Let’s, my children, dedicate this service to the nursing staff, to the doctors, to those who lost their lives for the love and prosperity of the good of humankind.
As a patriarchal missionary, above all, I bend down, kiss their hand and thank them.
I want to dedicate this celebration to the great researchers who work all day in their laboratory to give COVID-19 vaccine to humankind as a gift.
Let us thank these invisible heroes and humanity will always be grateful,” said, among others, Patriarch Theodore and hoped that Jesus and the Star of Bethlehem to disperse the darkness of the pandemic in Greece, Egypt and Cyprus. Addressing the faithful, he urged them to generously offer their love and gratitude to their neighbor.
The Divine Liturgy of Christmas in Cairo was attended by the Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, Metropolitan Nikodimos of Memphis, and the Patriarchal Vicar for the Arabic-speaking faithful, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Ermoupolis (Tanta), the Abbot of Saint Georgios Monastery, Fr. Damaskinos, the clergymen and many representatives of the parish, who complied with all the COVID-19 protective measures.