On Saturday 17th February 2018, Feast of the Great Martyr St Theodore of Tyre, the day on which His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa celebrates his name day, a Festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation in Khartoum, at which the Alexandrian Primate officiated.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy he spoke emotionally to the faithful, because he chose Sudan for this important day. He prayed for peace and love for the world and thanked all who were present to celebrate with him.
The Very Reverend Fr. Apostolos Pezouvanis, of the Holy Metropolis of Nubia, was then consecrated as an “Archimandrite of the Alexandrian Throne”.
Thereafter they all went to the Holy Metropolis, where refreshments were served and His Beatitude received the wishes of the Orthodox Christians of Sudan. He then gave a lengthy interview to the Sudan State Television.
On the afternoon of the same day, the Alexandrian Primate went to the Ministry of Orientation and National Legacies, where he met briefly with the Minister and his colleagues. In the Meeting Hall of the Ministry a discussion followed on Religious Freedoms in Sudan. Present apart from the Minister were representatives of the Muslims and all the Churches in Khartoum.
In the evening, the Alexandrian Primate had the opportunity of enjoying the Blue Nile in a short cruise organized by the Hellenic Community of Khartoum on which he was accompanied by the Chairlady Dr Alexandra Pateraki and members of the Community Council.
That night, His Beatitude went to the Greek Sporting Club where the Hellenic Community hosted an official reception in honour of the Patriarch on the occasion of his name day. The Government was represented by the 1st Councilor of the President of the republic of Sudan and the Minister responsible for Church matters, with the Ministerial Staff. Also present were the Ambassadors of America, England, the European Union, Romania, Egypt, the Nuncio of the Vatican, the Honorary Consul of Greece and Cyprus, Representatives of the Coptic Church, the Roman Catholic Archbishop, the Anglican Archbishop, Representatives of other Faiths and Representatives of the Muslims.
His Beatitude was welcomed by the Chairlady of the Hellenic Community and an address was given by the Honorary Consul of Greece.
In his address, His Beatitude the Patriarch greeted and thanked all for their presence. He also thanked His Excellency the President of the country, for the hospitality saying characteristically that “if Egypt is the door of Africa, then the Sudan is the Heart of this Continent”. He prayed for peace and harmony in the country, which is embraced by the bright Nile.
His Beatitude was then welcomed to Sudan by the Councilor of the President of the Republic, asking of the Patriarch not to come every ten years, but more often, because the Sudan is a country which has historic ties with Greece. In a show of goodwill, the Counselor of the President of the Republic offered His Beatitude the National Colours.
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