Yesterday, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Patriarchal See of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa received the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (I) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis.
In his greeting, the Patriarch welcomed the Chief and his entourage with warm words, emphasizing, “It is with great emotion and joy that I welcome you today to the Patriarchal See of Alexandria. Your presence is not merely a formal visit, but a sacred bond connecting Greece and Egypt, two countries that raise their voices in favor of peace and cooperation in the Mediterranean. You bring with you a message of hope and faith. Our world needs people who, through their sacrifice and dedication, inspire confidence and provide security for the future.”
Subsequently, the Patriarch presented a comprehensive historical review of the Great City of Alexandria, from its founding by Alexander the Great to the modern era, while also speaking extensively about the multifaceted work carried out by the Church of Saint Mark the Apostle and Evangelist across the entire African continent.
Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude to the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, for his practical and constant support of the work of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
Concluding his address, he stressed: “I bless you from my heart and pray that the Grace of God accompanies you in your work, which is not only national and military but also deeply humanitarian, as you defend peace, freedom, and human dignity.”
As a token of appreciation and recognition of his many years of responsible and high-principled service to the Nation, the Patriarch conferred upon the Chief of the Air Force General Staff the “Gold Lion of the Order of the Lion of Alexandria.”
Taking the floor, the Chief warmly thanked the Patriarch for this exceptional honorary distinction, as well as for the welcome and his heartfelt words, while expressing his admiration for the vast and diverse work the Patriarchate of Alexandria performs for the benefit of the peoples of Africa. As a sign of honor and respect, he presented the Patriarch with a commemorative plaque from the Hellenic Air Force.
Before the conclusion of the visit, the distinguished guests were given a tour of the sacred areas of the Patriarchate, where they had the opportunity to admire its rich history and invaluable spiritual heritage, coming away deeply impressed by the centuries-old ministry of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
Also present at the meeting were Brigadier General Efthimios Greventopoulos, Director of the Chief’s Office; Wing Commander Evangelos Ioannou, Aide-de-Camp to the Chief; Flying Officer Apostolos Saitanis, Head of Security for the Chief; Captain Stergios Poulios (HN), Defense Attaché in Cairo; and Brigadier General Mohamed Yousef of the Egyptian Air Force, who conveyed to the Patriarch the well-wishes of the Egyptian Minister of Defense, General Ashraf Salem.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
