Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa arrived by air in Chios shortly after 10 a.m. on Friday, beginning a multi-day visit to the island that will conclude on Tuesday, September 1st, and includes a particularly rich program of religious, cultural, and institutional events.
Upon his arrival, the Patriarch of Alexandria was welcomed by Metropolitan Markos of Chios, Psara, and Oinousses, the Governor of the North Aegean Region, Kostas Moutzouris, and the Military Commander of the 96th Higher Military Command, Brigadier General Panagiotis Lymbereas.
The Patriarch is being accompanied on his visit to Chios by PASOK Member of the European Parliament, Professor Nikolas Farantouris, who was honored on the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Lusaka, Zambia, with the Grand Cross of the Metropolis of Zambia and Mozambique of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, awarded by the Metropolitan of Zambia and Mozambique, Ioannis, in recognition of his contribution to the Orthodox communities of Africa.
In statements he made, Patriarch Theodore said that with his visit to the island he is fulfilling a personal vow. He also referred to the difficulties facing the ecclesiastical region he serves, at a time when ongoing developments in the Middle East are creating particularly demanding conditions.
A distinctive touch was added to the welcome by the presence of members of the local Cretan association, who appeared at the site wearing traditional Cretan costumes, honoring in this way the Patriarch of Alexandria’s Cretan origins (born Nikolaos Choreftakis, from Profitis Ilias in Heraklion).
The Patriarch’s Program
The official visit program includes a series of Patriarchal Divine Liturgies, pilgrimages, and visits to monuments of Chios’s religious and cultural heritage.
On Saturday morning, a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the Holy Church of Agios Markos in Vrontados, which will be broadcast live by Politischios.gr.
Following the Divine Liturgy, an address will be given by Metropolitan Markos of Chios along with the presentation of a commemorative gift. A particularly notable moment of the ceremony will be the awarding of the Cross of Saint Isidoros decoration to Patriarch Theodore.
During his time in Vrontados, the Patriarch of Alexandria will also visit the “Agios Agapitos” Library of the Holy Metropolis of Chios, Psara, and Oinousses.
On Saturday evening, at 7:00 p.m., he will attend an event held at Castelli, as part of the 5th Festival of the North Aegean Region.
The program continues on Sunday morning, when at 9:00 a.m. the inaugural consecration (thyranoixia) of the Holy Church of Agios Georgios in Sykousi will take place in the presence of the Patriarch of Alexandria, followed by a Patriarchal choir service (chorostasia).
At 7:00 p.m. that same day, Theodoros II will make a sacred pilgrimage to the Early Christian Basilica of Agios Isidoros.
An hour later, at 8:00 p.m., he will attend the opening of an exhibition of visual art by S. Sorogas, to be hosted at the Hamidiye Mosque, in the Castle of Chios.
On Monday morning, August 31st, at 9:15 a.m., the Patriarch of Alexandria will be received by the Governor of the North Aegean Region, Konstantinos Moutzouris.
At 10:30 a.m., a sacred pilgrimage will follow at the Holy Metropolitan Church of Chios, and at 11:30 a.m. Theodoros II will proceed to the Holy Monastery of Agios Minas, where a visit to the Massacre Museum is planned.
Later that same day, at 7:00 p.m., the Patriarch will attend an event at Castelli dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Academy of Athens.
Patriarch Theodore’s visit to Chios will conclude on Tuesday, September 1st.
At 9:30 a.m., a sacred pilgrimage to the Holy Nea Moni of Chios has been scheduled, followed at 10:30 a.m. by a visit and pilgrimage to the Holy Monastery of Panagia “Voithia.”
The departure of Pope and Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria and All Africa from Chios will take place by air at 3:05 p.m. on Tuesday, bringing to a close a visit marked by strong religious, institutional, and cultural significance.
Source: politischios.gr
