On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa received a group of pilgrims from the Orthodox Church of Serbia.
The group was led by Bishop Paisios of Dioclea, who is the auxiliary bishop to Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral.
During the meeting, the Patriarch spoke about the history of the Alexandrian Church, its multifaceted missionary work across the African continent, and the various difficulties arising from this endeavor. With emotion, he also spoke about the great spiritual figures of the late patriarchs, hierarchs, monastics, and distinguished theologians of the Serbian Church. He had studied their important writings since his youth, and he had been blessed to meet many of them personally.
In conclusion, he conveyed his fraternal greetings to Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia and expressed his love for the devout Serbian people.
In his response, Bishop Paisios thanked the Patriarch for his warm welcome and expressed the shared enthusiasm of all present for the Church of the Apostle Mark in Africa’s tireless spiritual, missionary, humanitarian, philanthropic, and educational work. He also conveyed Patriarch Porfirije’s fraternal love.
Afterwards, the group of pilgrims toured the Patriarchal See premises.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
