In the presence of the Primate of the Alexandrian Church, Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria & All Africa, the Divine Liturgy for the despotic feast of the Ascension of our Lord was celebrated today at the celebrated church of Volos.
The second ranking Orthodox See was accompanied by the Metropolitans Theophilaktos of Tripoli and George of Guinea, Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis and Metropolitan Ignatios of Demetrias.
During the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Theodore was presented by Metropolitan Ignatios, who pointed out, inter alia, that “every year, on this day, the opportunity to live secretly and heartly the event of the Ascension, to experience the divine surprise, to discover within us the sense of strength that our qualities, as baptized Christians, ensure us, is offered to us as a challenge.”
Referring to the presence of the Patriarch in the city of Volos, Metropolitan Ignatios stressed that the Patriarch “in the footsteps of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark, embraces nations and peoples, and is consumed in a pastoral, missionary and sacrificial ministry.”
He also pointed out that the work being done today by the Patriarchate of Alexandria, testifies to the modern miracle of our faith.
For his part, Patriarch Theodore described Alexandria as “a city full of dreams, theology, philosophy, with a glorious past.” He referred to the future of the Patriarchate, “which is the missionary work, and the love I receive these days from your local Church is a valuable asset for it.”
Finally, as a small thank-you to the Church of Demetrias, he decorated Metropolitan Ignatios the “‘Supreme Taxiarch Sava the Sanctified’ in recognition of his services to the Church and the Throne of Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark.”