On Tuesday, 26 May 2026, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa arrived at Nairobi International Airport in the Kenyan capital, continuing his pastoral journey across the African continent and bearing messages of love, hope, and blessing to his flock.
Archbishop Makarios of Kenya, Metropolitan Neophytos of Eldoret and Northern Kenya, Bishops Panaretos of Nyeri and Mount Kenya, and Philippos of Kisumu and Western Kenya; Archimandrite Athenodoros Papaevrypiadis; the Greek Ambassador, Mr Georgios Psiakas; the Egyptian Ambassador, Mr Hatem Yousri; and clergy and representatives of various institutions, as well as a multitude of faithful from the Orthodox community of Kenya, received the Patriarch and his honourable entourage with deep emotion and sentiments of filial devotion, extending a warm and heartfelt welcome to their Spiritual Father.
Subsequently, the Patriarch visited the Patriarchal Ecclesiastical School ‘Makarios III’, bringing with him a fragment of the sacred relics of our Venerable Father Chrysostomos (Papasarantopoulos) for the blessing and sanctification of all. This was a moment of particular spiritual joy for the local Church.
The Patriarch then honoured the graduation ceremony of twenty-six seminarians from the Patriarchal Ecclesiastical School with His presence, personally conferring their diplomas upon them and expressing His paternal joy at these new labourers in the Lord’s vineyard.
In his address to the seminarians, the Patriarch first expressed his warm gratitude to Archbishop Makarios of Kenya for his tireless efforts and paternal care in ensuring the successful operation of the Patriarchal Ecclesiastical School over the years, as well as his significant contribution to conveying the message of the Gospel of true faith and Orthodoxy to thousands of people in Kenya over many decades.
The Patriarch also expressed his joy and satisfaction at the important work being carried out at the Patriarchal School. He emphasised that he feels a deep sense of emotion when he sees the uninterrupted continuation of the great vision of the late Archbishop Makarios III of Cyprus, which continues to bear fruit through theological education and the training of new Gospel workers for Africa.
He also emphasised that, throughout the ages, the Patriarchate of Alexandria has worked tirelessly to spread and establish Orthodoxy in Africa through theological education, spiritual cultivation, and preparing new successors to carry the message of the Gospel of Love.
Addressing the graduates, the Patriarch urged them to apply not only their academic knowledge, but also their spiritual training, so that they might become people of love, peace, and self-sacrifice.
At the same time, he assured them that the Patriarchate of Alexandria and he personally would continue to support and embrace all those striving to convey a message of peace, hope, and love in this turbulent era.
In closing his address, the Patriarch exhorted the seminarians, saying:
‘Walk always in a spirit of sacrifice, keep the faith alive in your hearts and become the light of Christ for God’s people, especially in the most remote regions of Africa, where the Church calls us to labour with love, patience and self-denial.’
For his part, Archbishop Makarios of Kenya expressed his profound gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa for his continuous support and paternal care for the work being carried out at the Patriarchal School. He emphasised that the Patriarch’s love and unceasing support constitute a source of inspiration and hope.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were the Nairobi Member of Parliament of Greek origin, Mrs Esther Passaris; the Greek Ambassador, Mr Georgios Psiakas; the Cypriot Ambassador, Mr Savvas Vladimirov; the Ukrainian Ambassador, Mr Yurii Tokar; and a large number of faithful from the Orthodox community.
The day was filled with moments of spiritual joy and hope, reaffirming the fact that the Patriarchate of Alexandria continues its pastoral mission tirelessly, even in the most remote parts of Africa. It proclaims the Word of the Gospel and cultivates the seeds of faith, love, and peace within people’s hearts.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
