Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa presided over a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 2, at the Patriarchal Monastery of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified in Alexandria, marking the feast of the Translation of the Relics of the Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen.
Concelebrating with the Patriarch were Bishop Stephanos of Hippo and Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, while Metropolitan Germanos of Tamiatheos, the monastery’s spiritual father, participated in prayer.
During the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Theodore ordained Hierodeacon Paisios Mulamba of the Holy Metropolis of Kinshasa to the holy priesthood. The newly ordained priest, who hails from Kananga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was also elevated to the rank of Archimandrite before the conclusion of the service in recognition of his faithful ministry and dedication to the Church.
Archimandrite Paisios completed his primary and secondary education in his native Kananga before being tonsured a monk and ordained a deacon in 2021. He later began serving in the Metropolis of Kinshasa, where he completed studies in English Language and Culture. With the blessing of the Patriarch, he now teaches English in the schools of the Metropolis, contributing to both its educational and missionary work.
Before the ordination, Patriarch Theodore addressed the candidate with fatherly words of exhortation, urging him to preserve the purity of the priestly calling entrusted to him by the Church. He encouraged the new priest to remain a man of prayer, obedience, and humility, to serve Christ’s flock selflessly, to love all people without distinction, and to remember that the priesthood is not an honor but a cross of responsibility, sacrifice, and daily service.
The Patriarch also emphasized the importance of continuing to labor zealously for the missionary mission of the Church in Africa, stressing that the Church of Saint Mark is called to raise up indigenous clergy who will serve the people of God with a spirit of sacrifice.
Patriarch Theodore also expressed his appreciation to Metropolitan Theodosios of Kinshasa, noting that while serving as Metropolitan of Kananga, he had ordained the new Archimandrite to the diaconate and played a decisive role in his spiritual formation.
Among the concelebrating clergy was Archimandrite Meletios Zacharopoulos, preacher of the Holy Metropolis of Syros, a psychotherapist and director of the Student Residence of the Metropolis in Athens, who periodically assists the Patriarchate of Alexandria in its pastoral ministry. The Patriarch conveyed his heartfelt gratitude through him to Metropolitan Dorotheos II of Syros for his longstanding support of the missionary work of the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Theodore bestowed the distinction of Commander of the Order of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified upon the Consul General of Greece in Alexandria, Ioannis Pergakis, on the occasion of the completion of his diplomatic service in the historic city.
In his address, the Patriarch praised Pergakis for his close cooperation with the Patriarchate and his consistent presence at significant moments in the life of the local Church. He also highlighted the diplomat’s love for the Orthodox Church and Byzantine music, noting that his participation in the liturgical chant of Alexandria’s churches had enriched many services through his humility and devotion.
For his part, Pergakis thanked the Patriarch for the distinguished honor, recalling memorable moments from his diplomatic service in Alexandria and saying that his relationship with the Patriarchate, Patriarch Theodore, and the Greek community of the city would remain forever engraved in his heart.
Among those in attendance were the President of the Greek Community of Alexandria, Andreas Vafiadis, representatives of Greek authorities and organizations in the city, and a large number of faithful, who gathered in prayer to celebrate the ordination of the new Archimandrite and to congratulate both him and the honored Consul General.
