With the blessing of Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, an Archieratic Concelebration of the Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the feast day of the glorious Holy Prophet Elijah the Tishbite, which this year also coincided with the sorrowful anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island of Cyprus, at the historic Holy Church of the Prophet Elijah in Gianaclis — once belonging to the Greek Community of Alexandria and today under the jurisdiction of the Coptic Church.
The Concelebration was presided over by Metropolitan Germanos of Tamiathis, Abbot and Superior of the Holy Monastery of Saint Savvas the Sanctified, together with Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, with the participation of clergy members of the Patriarchal Court and the Archdiocese of Alexandria.
Before the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a memorial service was held for the repose of the souls of the heroic fallen and of all those who lost their lives during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
The homily was delivered by Archimandrite Athanasios Pogiatzis, Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, who hails from the occupied district of Kyrenia in Cyprus. He drew a parallel between the prophetic example of the Prophet Elijah and the tragic anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, speaking of the suffering of refugees, the uprooting of communities, the missing persons, and the victims of the invasion, while emphasizing the importance of preserving historical memory. He also highlighted the Church’s role in safeguarding and strengthening the faith of our ancestors and forefathers, describing it as a foundation for national dignity and for the continued struggle for justice and freedom.
Attending in an official capacity was Mr. Ioannis Papadopoulos, President of the Cypriot Brotherhood of Alexandria, who also serves as First Vice-President of the Greek Community of Alexandria.
Also present were members of the Greek Community of Alexandria and the Cypriot Brotherhood of Alexandria, as well as a large number of the faithful from the Arabic-speaking flock of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, who came to the historic Holy Church to take part in this blessed gathering.
Source: ekalexandria.org
