On Saturday, November 1, Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis was ordained, and the following day, Sunday, November 2, another golden link was forged in the centuries-old episcopal chain of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, as Patriarch Theodore II ordained the new Bishop of Kigali and All Rwanda, Joachim.
The monastery’s katholikon was filled with faithful and clergy who joyfully proclaimed “Axios!” (“He is worthy!”) for the newly ordained bishop.
The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, concelebrated by Metropolitans Theophylaktos of Kaisareia, Chrysostomos of Trikala, Platon of Lagadas, Savvas of Nubia, Daniel of Accra, and Bishops Prodromos of Toliara, Chrysostomos of Bukoba, Stefanos of Hippo, and Damaskinos of Mareotis.
Deeply moved before his ordination, Fr. Joachim addressed the Patriarch with words of gratitude and devotion, saying: “A bishop is not the result of human honor but the fruit of God’s grace, who calls man to become a bearer of His presence in the world. The episcopacy is not an office of power, but of service — a call to humility, love, forgiveness, and sacrifice. The ordination is not a crown of glory but a cross watered with tears and prayer.”
He went on to thank Patriarch Theodore for his trust and example: “Your Beatitude, my loving Father and Shepherd, thank you for your faith in me and for teaching me by your example what it means to lead not with authority, but with humility and sacrifice.”
Patriarch Theodore, in his response, praised the new bishop’s humility and steadfastness: “Today, the Church rejoices and glorifies God. A soul that has lived with patience, obedience, and silent service is called to ascend to the height of the episcopacy. You have sown with toil, watered with tears, and now you reap with joy. From this day, my beloved child, you take up a heavy yet sweet cross. May your heart shine like a lamp that never goes out.”
As the ordination rite began, the congregation once again cried “Axios!” at every step as the bishop was vested in episcopal robes — garments of great sentimental value, once belonging to the late Metropolitan Niphon of Pelusium, gifted to him with love and faith for this moment.
His family, who traveled from Trikala, Greece, attended with deep emotion to honor his “personal Pentecost.”
The celebrations concluded at the Hellenic Centre of Cairo, where Bishop Joachim hosted a festive luncheon and received the gifts and congratulations of the attendees.
Among those present were Onoufrios Oikonomidis, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Cyprus; Simeon Linardakis, Consul General of Greece in Cairo; and Colonel Konstantinos Chatzikostis, Defense Attaché of Cyprus. Representing the Greek Community of Cairo were President Christos Kavalis and Vice President Chrysanthi Skoufaridou.
Also in attendance were representatives of the Arabic-speaking faithful of the Church of the Archangels in Daher, led by President Salem Kassis, Ms. Arlette Monsef (President of H.O.C.), and many faithful from across Cairo’s Arabic-speaking Orthodox communities.
