A vigil was held on Friday morning at the Katholikon of the Vatopedi Monastery, on the Feast of the Cincture of the Theotokos.
Bishop George of Guinea, Spokesman of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Athens, presided at the vigil.
Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Karaoglou and the outgoing civil administrator of Mount Athos, Kostis Dimtsas, attended the vigil.
In his greeting, Elder Ephraim thanked the Metropolitan for accepting the invitation to preside at the worship services, stressing that it is a great pleasure to have him there on this day.
”The Holy Cincture is a great treasure that is kept in Vatopedi Monastery and in Mount Athos. Our Lady is pleased that the Holy Cinture is on Mount Athos, because here is a place of virginity and obedience,” Elder Ephraim said.
For his part, the Metropolitan of Guinea emphasized that “Our Lady has enabled me to be with you today, and it is a great blessing for me to worship the Holy Cincture of the Theotokos.”
He also thanked the Greek State for its support to the Patriarchate of Alexandria, as well as the outgoing civil administrator of Mount Athos, Kostis Dimtsas, for helping with the Mission through the NGO Apostoli.
Finally, Metropolitan George referred to the great struggle of Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, who, as he characteristically stated, “has been travelling around with the Mission for all these years to convey the message of the Gospel.”
