On June 27 and 28, 2026, the Patriarchate of Alexandria commemorates Saint Cyril Lucaris, Hieromartyr, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria.
Saint Cyril (1572–1638), who was born in Crete, served as Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria from 1601 to 1620. He became known for his pastoral, theological, and educational work.
He was later elected Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, where he worked to defend the Orthodox faith. After years of persecution and accusations against him, he was martyred in Constantinople on June 27, 1638.
Saint Cyril was officially canonized on October 6, 2009, following a decision of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, which enrolled him among the saints of the Orthodox Church as a Hieromartyr.
As part of the celebrations, a festal Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Patriarchal Monastery of Saint Sabbas in Alexandria, where a relic of Saint Cyril Lucaris is preserved.
Before the start of the Divine Liturgy, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa preformed the Rasophoria service for ten students of the Patriarchal School of Saint Athanasius in Alexandria. The students come from Burundi, Madagascar, Togo, Benin, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
These young men are receiving theological education and formation in preparation for serving the missionary ministry of the Orthodox Church in their home countries, reflecting the Patriarchate’s commitment to the growth and development of Orthodoxy across Africa.
During the service, Patriarch Theodore emphasized the importance of theological education for the clergy. He also expressed his heartfelt wishes to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the realization of his vision to reopen the historic Halki Theological School, expressing hope that it will once again welcome students from around the world, including Africa, for the benefit of the Orthodox Church and its mission.
With the blessing of Patriarch Theodore II, the Divine Liturgy was presided over by Metropolitan Daniel of Accra, who was visiting Alexandria.
During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, among those in attendance was Épiphane Zoro Bi Ballo, Minister and President of the High Authority for Good Governance of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. An Orthodox Christian and devoted member of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, he visited the Patriarchal See to convey the greetings and best wishes of the President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, to Patriarch Theodore II.
The minister also held a private meeting with the Patriarch of Alexandria, during which they discussed the missionary work of the Patriarchate of Alexandria—the only canonical Orthodox Church in Africa—as well as the further development of its ecclesiastical and missionary activities in Côte d’Ivoire.
The celebration highlighted the enduring legacy of Saint Cyril Lucaris, one of the most prominent Patriarchs of the Alexandrian Church. His life, witness to the faith, and martyrdom continue to serve as an example of dedicated service, ecclesiastical commitment, and devotion to Orthodoxy.
