Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa presided over the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy on Sunday, July 26, at the Patriarchal Church of St. Paraskevi in the El Syouf district of Alexandria, as the historic church celebrated its patronal feast.
Concelebrating with the Patriarch were Metropolitan Germanos of Tamiathis and Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria.
A large number of faithful from across Alexandria gathered at the historic shrine to honor St. Paraskevi the Venerable Martyr, venerate her miracle-working icon, and seek her intercessions.
In his homily, Patriarch Theodore reflected on the profound spiritual and historical significance of the Patriarchal Church, describing it as a place of prayer, hope, and consolation for generations of Orthodox Christians in Alexandria.
He paid particular tribute to St. Paraskevi, whom the faithful venerate as the patron saint of those suffering from eye diseases and as a spiritual guide who enlightens the souls of believers.
Recalling the flourishing days of the once-vibrant Greek community of Alexandria, the Patriarch spoke with emotion about the enduring responsibility to preserve its sacred heritage.
“Those of us who remain in Alexandria will never abandon the churches our ancestors entrusted to us in this blessed land of Egypt,” he said.
He also reminisced about past feast-day celebrations, recalling that hundreds of Greek Egyptians once spent the entire night in prayer at the Church of St. Paraskevi during its annual festival.
Patriarch Theodore noted that the history of the church dates back to 1937, during the patriarchate of the late Patriarch Nicholas V, when it was established as another beacon of Orthodoxy in Alexandria—a mission it continues to fulfill by radiating faith and hope to this day.
The Patriarch expressed his gratitude to Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, to the parish priest, Archimandrite Savvas Amirhom, and to all the clergy, volunteers, and faithful whose dedicated efforts ensure the church’s preservation, restoration, and daily life.
He praised their selfless service in safeguarding what he described as one of the Patriarchate of Alexandria’s most precious spiritual and historical treasures.
The feast concluded with the traditional procession of the miracle-working icon of St. Paraskevi around the church. Led by Patriarch Theodore II and joined by the hierarchs, clergy, and a large gathering of worshippers, the procession took place in an atmosphere of reverence and prayer.
As they accompanied the sacred icon, the faithful prayed for the intercessions of St. Paraskevi on behalf of their families, the city of Alexandria, and the entire world, reaffirming that the historic churches of Alexandria remain not merely monuments of the past but living centers of faith, memory, and hope that continue to bear witness to the enduring legacy of the Church of St. Mark.
