On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the Patriarchate of Alexandria welcomed two groups of pilgrims from Greece and Germany at the Patriarchal See in Alexandria with profound spiritual joy. The pilgrims were undertaking a journey to the holy sites of Orthodoxy in Egypt.
The first group came from the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas of Philopappou in Athens and was led by Protopresbyter Fr. Georgios Schoinas.
The second group came from the Holy Metropolis of Germany and was led by Archimandrite Fr. Sosipatros Savvidis, Parish Priest of the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Kirchheim unter Teck.
Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa received the pilgrims with paternal love at the Patriarchal See. There, they received his blessing and listened to words of spiritual edification. The Patriarch spoke of the centuries-long history of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and its witness to the Church on the African continent. He also spoke of the missionary, philanthropic, and pastoral work carried out throughout Africa.
With particular emotion, the Patriarch expressed his warm and heartfelt gratitude to Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece, through the presence of the pilgrims from Athens, for his love, interest, and steadfast support of the work and mission of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
Similarly, the pilgrims from Germany expressed their gratitude to Metropolitan Augoustinos for his love and continuous support of the Church of the Apostle Mark’s missionary and spiritual work.
After expressing their gratitude to the Patriarch for this meaningful encounter, the pilgrim groups toured the Patriarchal See.
The Patriarchate of Alexandria thanks all the pilgrims for their presence and prays that their pilgrimage will be a source of spiritual renewal and strengthen their faith.
Yesterday morning, the Divine Liturgy was also celebrated in the Patriarchal Chapel of Saints Theodore, presided over by the Patriarch. Before concluding the liturgy, the Patriarch performed a Trisagion for the repose of the souls of the hierarchs and priests bearing the name of the feast day’s saint, Isidore of Pelusium. Those commemorated included the blessed Bishop of Tralles, Isidore (†2007), and the Grand Ecclesiarch of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Archimandrite Isidore Salakos (†2013).
Translation: Ioanna Georgakopoulou
