Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria and All Africa, on Sunday, November 22, 2020, presided over the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Holy Temple of St. Paul, in the area of Kagira, of the Holy Metropolis of Nairobi.
During the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarch of Alexandria prayed for the immediate restoration of the health of the Archbishops Ieronymos of Athens and Anastasios of Tirana and all those who are being tested by the pandemic and also prayed for the repose of Patriarch Irinej of Serbia.
Addressing the congregation, the Primate of Alexandria referred to the struggles and efforts of the first Missionaries in Kenya, who many decades ago defied the difficulties of the times and responded to the call of the Patriarchs of Alexandria and All Africa to come to Kenya, preach the gospel of the Lord and continue the work started by the Apostle Mark who laid the foundations of Christianity at the gate of Africa which is Alexandria.
He referred to the pandemic and its most serious effects on the societies of the nations and assured that the Patriarchate of Alexandria was, is and will always be by the side of its children, will support them in various ways and will fight for their spiritual progress and prosperity, emphasizing that no poor home in Africa will be left without the necessities of life.
The Patriarch of Alexandria highlighted “We may have different skin colors, but we were all created in the image and likeness of God and He has called all of us to serve His Church in the Continent of Africa. Don’t be destructed with voices of deceit. Be faithful to your call, love one another and remain committed to the Patriarchal Throne of Alexandria.”
Finally, he thanked the Elder Metropolitan Makarios of Nairobi for his many years of service in Kenya, since with his struggles and hard work he put his own stamp on the history of Orthodoxy in the country.
In the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, along with Patriarch of Alexandria co-officiated Elder Metropolitan Makarios of Nairiobi and Metropolitan George of Guinea, the Bishops of Nyeri & Mount Kenya Neophytos, of Gulu Silvester and of Kisumu Markos, as well as the African priests.
In the afternoon, the Patriarch of Alexandria visited the Patriarchal Seminary in Riruta and after the pilgrimage at the Holy Temple of Saint Makarios, distributed food to the mothers of the students of the Orthodox schools of Riruta, since the schools are closed from March and children can not attend the daily food offered by the Church. The mothers thanked the Patriarch of Alexandria who despite the pandemic came to them to support them with words of love and with the offer of food, which are offered on a weekly basis.
