On the morning of Thursday, May 21, 2026, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa arrived in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, for an official missionary visit to the country, accompanied by Bishop Sylvester of Jinja and Eastern Uganda and Protopresbyter Fr. Paul Nzalambi.
The Patriarch was welcomed at Lusaka International Airport by Metropolitan Ioannis of Zambia and Mozambique; the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Zambia, Ms. Mayada Essam; the Honorary Consul of Greece, Mr. Michael Kroupnik; the President of the Hellenic Community of Lusaka, Mr. Georgios Liakopoulos; the President of the Hellenic Community of Copperbelt, Ms. Maria Samara; representatives of the Naval Forces; Olympians Mr. Georgios Tzerilis and Ms. Athanasia Tsoumelaka; the Education Coordinator, Mr. Georgios Vlachos; the Head of Greek Education in Lusaka, Ms. Ourania Tsirigkoti; the President of the Hellenic-Zambian Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Dimitra Louka; representatives of the local authorities; clergy of the Holy Metropolis of Zambia; representatives of other Christian denominations; as well as a large gathering of faithful and residents of Lusaka, who came to receive the blessing of the Patriarch of Love.
An official reception followed at the Metropolitan Residence, where a Doxology service was celebrated in the chapel there in honor of the Patriarch.
During the official reception, Metropolitan Ioannis of Zambia and Mozambique warmly welcomed the Patriarch in the presence of representatives of associations, institutions, and members of the diplomatic corps. Subsequently, the representative of the Government addressed the gathering, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa and to the Hellenic Community of Lusaka for the love, cooperation, and spiritual bonds uniting Greece and Zambia.
Thereafter, representatives of the diplomatic corps offered greetings. At the same time, the Patriarch warmly thanked the leadership of Zambia and especially the Kaunda family for their enduring contribution to the people and the African continent. The Patriarch spoke with emotion about the great figures of Kenneth Kaunda and Nelson Mandela, emphasizing that they were leaders who served with love, sacrifice, and vision not only the peoples of their respective countries, but all humanity, leaving behind a legacy of peace, reconciliation, and human dignity.
The Patriarch also expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador of Egypt to Zambia, Ms. Mayada Essam, while at the same time conveying his appreciation to the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, for his steadfast support of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, as well as for enabling the construction of the new Patriarchal Center in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, a project that stands as a landmark for the presence and mission of the Patriarchate on the African continent.
This was followed by the unveiling of a bust of the historic South African leader Nelson Mandela in the courtyard of the Holy Metropolis of Zambia by Patriarch Theodore II.
Subsequently, the Museum of Byzantine and Ecclesiastical Art of the Holy Metropolis of Zambia was officially inaugurated on the occasion of the 1,700th anniversary of the convocation of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, an event linking the historical journey of Orthodoxy with the Church’s contemporary missionary witness in Africa.
Finally, the Service of the Opening of the Doors was celebrated for the Holy Church of Hagia Sophia and the Holy Archangels in an atmosphere of spiritual joy and deep emotion.
The Patriarchal visit is taking place from 21 to 26 May 2026. During his six-day stay, the Primate of the Second-Throned Patriarchate will offer blessings, perform sanctifications, and provide the necessary pastoral guidance, strengthening the multifaceted missionary work carried out within the Holy Metropolis of Zambia, so that the ministry of the Orthodox Church in the blessed land of Africa may continue with paternal love and spiritual wisdom.
Through his paternal presence and tireless care for missionary work, Patriarch Theodore II strengthens the witness of Orthodoxy, bringing the message of love, peace, and hope to every person across the African continent.
