A visit to the Patriarchate of Alexandria was made successively on Tuesday, 26th September 2023, by the captains and officers of the warships “Regina Maria” of the Romanian Navy and “Navarino” of the Greek Navy, which sailed to the port of Alexandria, via Souda, Crete, as part of the NATO “Sea Guardian” exercise for security in the Eastern Mediterranean.
During the reception of the men of the Navy, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, referred to the modern and fruitful presence and missionary activity of the Patriarchate in Africa.
For their part, the Commander of the NATO Naval Force of Operation NATO, Captain Hellenic Navy Ioannis Metsos, and the Captains of the warships F/V “Regina Maria”, Commander Mitel Laurentiu Alexandru, and F/V “Navarino”, Commander Mr. Stylianos Madentzidis, expressed the joy and blessing they felt while visiting the Patriarchate while praising its sacrificially performed ministry on the African continent. This was followed by an exchange of gifts of souvenirs.
The Greek Navy officers were accompanied by Captains Mr. Michael Tsiligakis, Greek Defence Attaché in Cairo, and Mr. Konstantinos Varouxis, liaison between the Greek Navy and the Egyptian Navy.
It is noted that the Greek mission also includes a delegation from the Georgian Coast Guard, which is taking part in the “Sea Guardian” exercise.
