On November 25, 2025, the ordination of Bishop-elect Philip to the episcopacy was celebrated with ecclesiastical splendor in the Holy Patriarchal Church of Saint Nicholas in Hamzaoui, Cairo.
Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa presided over the Divine Liturgy, surrounded by Their Eminences Makarios of Kenya, George of Guinea, Nikolaos of Hermoupolis, Nikodimos of Memphis, and Neophytos of Eldoret; as well as Their Graces Mark of Gaborone and Botswana, Sylvester of Jinja and Eastern Uganda, Panaretos of Nyeri and Mount Kenya, Joachim of Kigali and Rwanda, Stephanos of Hippo, and Damaskinos of Mareotis.
Present at the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy were the Ambassador of Greece to Egypt, Mr. Nikolaos Papageorgiou; the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Egypt, Mrs. Poly Ioannou; the Consul General of Greece in Cairo, Mr. Symeon Linardakis; the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Cairo, Mrs. Jennifer K. Njiru; the Presidents of the Greek- and Arabic-speaking Communities of Cairo and Alexandria; the President of the Brotherhood of Offikialoi of the Patriarchate, Mr. Theodoros Panagopoulos; the Civil Governor of Mount Athos, Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis; Lady Archon Mrs. Aikaterini Belefanti-Sofianou, Ambassador of the Hellenic Diaspora and of the Greek Community to the Alexandrian Throne; as well as Archons and Offikialoi of the Patriarchate and representatives of various institutions and organizations.
In his address, Bishop-elect Fr. Philip expressed his profound gratitude to Pope and Patriarch Theodore II for the supreme honor of his election.
He gave a brief overview of his ecclesiastical journey and thanked the Hierarchy of the Church of Alexandria for their trust and support. He made special mention of his elder, Archbishop Makarios of Kenya, acknowledging his invaluable contributions to his formation, spiritual guidance, and progress within the church.
In closing, he assured the Patriarch that he would spare no effort to prove himself worthy of the trust and great mission entrusted to him.
In his response to the Bishop, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa emphasized that the present day marks an important milestone for the Eparchy of Kisumu and Western Kenya, as its new Bishop is called to undertake the heavy yet sacred responsibility of shepherding a blessed, though often tested, people.
The Patriarch stressed that the Church, illumined by the Holy Spirit, entrusts to the new Bishop “its most precious gift: the souls of human beings,” exhorting him to become a father and teacher, a harbor of consolation, and an unswerving guardian of Orthodox truth, serving with humility, love, and selflessness.
He reminded him that the word of the Lord, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few,” remains alive and relevant—particularly in the missionary land of Western Kenya—and called the new Hierarch to become a “laborer of this harvest,” fearless before the difficulties of ministry, confident that Christ will strengthen him, the Holy Spirit will enlighten him, and the Saints will accompany him.
The Patriarch also paid tribute to the late Ethnarch, Archbishop Makarios III of Cyprus, who envisioned and founded the Theological School in Kenya, as well as to the Elder Metropolitan of Kenya, Makarios, whom he recognized as the spiritual formator of the new Bishop.
In conclusion, he expressed gratitude to all those who have previously served as Bishops of the Diocese of Kisumu, acknowledging their significant contribution to the development of this eparchy of the Alexandrian Throne.
It is noteworthy that today’s joyful occasion coincides with the feast of the holy and glorious Great-Martyr Catherine the All-Wise, and at the same time marks the birthday of the Patriarch. In light of this blessed coincidence, all the Hierarchs, clergy, diplomatic representatives, dignitaries, and faithful present wished the “Patriarch of Love” many years, health, and blessings to the glory of God and for the continuation of his luminous missionary and patriarchal ministry. After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a reception in honor of the Patriarch followed.
It should also be noted that yesterday, 24 November 2025, in the Holy Patriarchal Church of Saint Nicholas in Hamzaoui, Cairo, the Service of the Great Proclamation for the Bishop-Elect of Kisumu and Western Kenya, Fr. Timotheos, was celebrated.
Immediately afterward, the Patriarch proceeded to the Metochion of the Holy Autonomous Royal Monastery of Saint Catherine of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai, where he presided at the festal Vespers for the feast of Saint Catherine the All-Wise, surrounded by Hierarchs of the Alexandrian Throne.
Before the end of the Vespers service, the Patriarch, with paternal affection and visible emotion, spoke in his homily about the indissoluble spiritual bond between the Great City of Alexandria and Sinai. He linked the sanctified place of Saint Catherine’s martyrdom with the holy ground where the angelic life of monasticism dawned after the wondrous translation of her holy relics “by the Angels of Sinai.”
Moved, he reminded all that we should always remember that where the Apostle Mark founded the altar, preached the Gospel, and established the local Church, there also in Alexandria Saint Catherine was martyred “for the true faith of the Orthodox.” It is the very same sanctified place where the apostolic heritage meets the sacrificial witness of the Saints, and where historical memory becomes living tradition.
He also emphasized the profound bond linking the Patriarchate of Alexandria with the Holy Autonomous Royal Monastery of Saint Catherine of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai—two radiant and ancient spiritual centers of Orthodoxy that journey “in one Spirit” and bear a common witness through the centuries. The seats of both lie in hospitable Egypt, which surrounds their spiritual ministry with reverence and devotion.
He stressed that this unbroken bond has deep roots: the Patriarchate of Alexandria, with a history of more than two thousand years, and the Holy Monastery of Sinai, with a history exceeding fifteen centuries, continue their spiritual mission in the same land. Egyptian soil is the firm ground upon which these two pillars of the Church unceasingly maintain their sacred calling—a calling that comes “from the ages” and constitutes a precious legacy for the present and the future.
Finally, the Patriarch sent warm greetings and best wishes to the new Archbishop of Sinai, Raitho and Pharan, and Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine, Fr. Symeon, praying that the All-Good God grant him health, illumination, and strength, and assuring him that the Patriarchate of Alexandria will continue to walk alongside him and support his ministry, to the glory of God and the strengthening of the Orthodox witness.
