On Sunday, November 16, the historic Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos of the Arab-speaking Orthodox community in Alexandria celebrated with solemnity the feast of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist and St. Philoumenos the Hieromartyr.
Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa presided at Orthros and celebrated the Divine Liturgy, assisted by Bishop Joachim of Kigali and Rwanda and Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis.
In an atmosphere of deep reverence, the Patriarch held with awe the Holy “Kara” (Skull) of St. Matthew the Apostle, a treasured relic of the Patriarchate of Alexandria. He reminded the faithful that St. Matthew carried the Gospel message to the far reaches of Africa, preaching in Ethiopia where he also received the crown of martyrdom. This apostolic legacy, he noted, forms the very foundation of the Alexandrian Church’s enduring witness across the African continent.
Patriarch Theodore also spoke with emotion about St. Philoumenos, a saint of our own era, who links the blessed island of Cyprus with the Holy Land. For nearly half a century, St. Philoumenos served the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre with humility and self-sacrifice until his martyrdom at Jacob’s Well.
Patriarch Theodore emphasized that the Saint’s memory calls all believers to spiritual strength and invites them to seek his intercessions “for the peace of the whole world, and especially for reconciliation and the cessation of turmoil in the troubled region of the Middle East.”
“Our hearts,” the Patriarch said, “travel today in spirit to Jacob’s Well, where we light a candle in reverence and implore the Saint to pray for peace and harmony among peoples.”
On this occasion, he conveyed fraternal love to Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and the entire Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre, asking God to grant them strength, protection, and encouragement in their sacred mission in the Holy Land.
Patriarch Theodore also honored the memory of Fr. Elpidios, the twin brother of St. Philoumenos, who after serving the Jerusalem Patriarchate joined the Patriarchate of Alexandria in 1947. He served zealously in Mozambique until 1952, completed his studies at the University of Athens, and in 1959 was appointed Exarch of the Alexandrian Throne in Odessa—a city where the Patriarch himself had once ministered for many years.
With visible emotion, he recalled those blessed years of service, which remain deeply engraved in his heart.
Moved by this remembrance, the Patriarch telephoned Metropolitan Agathangelos of Odessa after the Liturgy to extend warm fraternal wishes on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his episcopal consecration.
Addressing the large congregation, the Patriarch highlighted the pastoral significance of his visit, noting that the church had only recently completed extensive renovation works.
He expressed heartfelt thanks to all benefactors who contributed with love and generosity, and reminded the faithful that these days mark the anniversary of the church’s consecration in 1888 by the late Patriarch Sophronios.
He also offered fatherly greetings and blessings to the recently ordained Bishops, wishing them strength, illumination, and fruitful ministry.
The festal celebration concluded with the Patriarch’s paternal blessing to the faithful and warm words of appreciation for the Arab-speaking Orthodox community of Alexandria, which continues to be a vibrant and active part of the life and mission of the Alexandrian Patriarchate.
