Trisagion memorial prayers held for the late Nelson Mandela – Cathedral of St. George, Cape Town

Archbishopric of Good Hope  

On Sunday 8 December, the Hellenic Community of Cape Town attended a special memorial service held for the late Nelson Mandela at the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George in the presence of the consul of Greece in Cape Town, Mr Thomas Matsoukas, the honorary consul of Cyprus, Mr. Demetri Costantinides and the president of the Hellenic Community of Cape Town, Mr. Nassos Martalas.

 
In his address after the service, His Eminence reminded us of the role that the late Nelson Mandela played not only for South Africans but for all of human kind. He said that despite the difficulties that he had to face in prison, he remained loyal to what was right. He came out of prison (after many years) without any bitterness or anger and with profound humility. His Eminence said his prayer is that the world will produce a few more leaders like the late Nelson Mandela as there is much need of unselfish peace leaders like him throughout the world.
He said that Nelson Mandela was a Philhellene and when he visited Greece for the first time, he commented from the steps of the Parthenon, that he was proud to be in that country “the mother of democracy”, and, a country that historically had overcome centuries of oppression. 
His Eminence stressed that we all have an obligation to honour those who serve humanity with self-sacrifice, not only for their own people but also for others throughout the world. Nelson Mandela was faithful to the principles and ideals for human rights. People and democracy were the sole purpose of his life. On his passing we pray that his vision becomes realised not only in our own country, but also on the entire continent of Africa and every country in the world. 
May his memory be eternal!

http://www.goarch.co.za/