On the afternoon of Friday, February 21, 2025, Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa arrived in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, a country that has endured years of conflict and hardship.
At Juba Airport, the Patriarch was warmly welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Sudan, Monday Semaya Kumba, Bishop Konstantinos of Juba, Egyptian Ambassador Moatez Mostafa Abdelkader, President of the Greek Community of Juba, Christoforos Georgallidis, the esteemed Greek doctor Dr. Charles Linderman, OCMC representative Nathan Hoppe, clergymen from Uganda, Greek refugee children from Khartoum who have found refuge in South Sudan, and Orthodox believers residing in the capital.
The Patriarch arrived in South Sudan as an official guest of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, marking a historic visit as the first-ever by a Patriarch of Alexandria to Juba.
On behalf of the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the Alexandrian Primate, expressing gratitude for his presence despite international concerns about security in the country. He wished him a fruitful stay and prayed for the much-needed peace in the region. Young children joyfully danced to welcome the Patriarch and presented him with flowers as a gesture of respect and warmth.
On the morning of Saturday, February 21, Patriarch Theodore II met with the Secretary General of the Council of Churches of South Sudan and representatives of the country’s Christian confessions. During the meeting, he was briefed on the progress of peace negotiations, the severe economic collapse, and the dire living conditions of the population, with many families surviving on just one meal every two days.
The religious leaders asked the Patriarch to pray for peace and prosperity in their war-torn country. In response, His Beatitude expressed his hope for a swift end to the conflict and assured them of his commitment to raising awareness in the international community about the challenges facing South Sudan. He also announced that the Patriarchate has decided to appoint an Orthodox Bishop to serve the people of South Sudan, emphasizing that the Church remains dedicated to supporting its faithful across all African nations.
At noon, the Ambassador of Egypt hosted a luncheon in honor of Patriarch Theodore II at his residence.
In the afternoon, His Beatitude visited the polyclinic of Dr. Linderman, where the chapel of St. Panteleimon is housed, and officiated the Vespers service.
Following the service, he toured the clinic, admiring the advanced technology and the dedication of the doctors and nursing staff. He commended them for their compassionate work and encouraged them to continue offering relief and hope to the patients seeking refuge there.
Subsequently, Bishop Konstantinos briefed the Patriarch on the current state and presence of the Patriarchate in South Sudan. He provided details about the parishes and communities established by the Greek diaspora in Juba, Wau, Aguel, Malakal, and Niamlieli, where many Orthodox immigrants from Uganda now reside. They discussed efforts to restore and reopen all Greek Orthodox churches in the country, ensuring they continue to serve the Orthodox faithful and preserve the enduring presence and historical contributions of Hellenism in the region.
