Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa his confidence that “those who remained in Alexandria will not abandon the temples that our ancestors passed on to us in the blessed country called Egypt.”
Those were the words of the Patriarch who visited yesterday and today the little, but historical temple, that of Saint Paraskevi, located in the Egyptian city by the Mediterranean. This coastal city through its Hellenism is the link between the two countries.
“Hundreds of Egyptians stayed up all night here, in the Church of Saint Paraskevi, during this feast,” said Alexandrian Primate.
The Patriarch spoke of the significance of this temple, where many Alexandrians came in order to light a candle in the memory of Saint Paraskevi, who is holding a sprig of palm tree, the symbol of immortality.
Patriarch Theodore spoke to the congregation about the history of the temple. Metropolitan Ignatios of Madagascar, and the Chief Secretary of Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Fr. Nicodemus Totkas, attended the Patriarch’s speech. A history stretching back in 1937 during the ministry of Patriarch Nicholas V of Alexandria.
In fact, the Alexandrian Primate stressed that Patriarch Parthenius and his mother lived in the nearby house at the time he was the deacon of the temple.
“I wish all the Egyptians who lived in this suburb and this historic temple, to feel assured that we will not abandon the Church of Saint Paraskevi, we will not abandon our temples”. The Patriarch addressed all the Egyptians around the world, and invited them to come to “Egypt, this blessed country, who embraces them and waits for them to come here to light their candles.”
Source: ANA-MPA