At noon today, H.H. Pope Tawadros II attended the celebration held by the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa for the Greek Orthodox, at the Greek Club located within the premises of the Greek Consulate in Alexandria. The event was organized in commemoration of the Year of Saint Athanasius the Great, the 20th Coptic Patriarch.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate had previously declared the year 2025 as the “Year of Saint Athanasius the Apostolic,” coinciding with the commemoration of seventeen centuries since the convening of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.

H.H. Pope Tawadros was received by His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II, Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church in Egypt, along with Father Damaskinos Al-Azraei, Patriarchal Vicar in Alexandria, and the metropolitans and bishops of the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria.

The ceremony, held in honor of His Holiness the Pope, began with the playing of the national anthems of Egypt and Greece. This was followed by a welcoming address to His Holiness and the attendees. A group of deacons from the Greek Church then chanted a selection of hymns and chants, while the “Heart of David” Choir presented a collection of Coptic hymns. Afterward, a documentary was shown, highlighting the history of the Greek Orthodox Church in Alexandria.

In his address, Pope Tawadros expressed his deep appreciation for the Patriarch’s invitation and hospitality. He spoke of the greatness of Saint Athanasius’ faith and his courageous defense at the Council of Nicaea, which made him one of the greatest defenders of the Christian faith. His Holiness also extended his congratulations to His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros on the twentieth anniversary of his pastoral ministry in Alexandria and presented him with a commemorative gift — a model of Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Abbassia.

The event concluded with a speech by His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II, who expressed his joy, love, and esteem for the brotherhood he shares with Pope Tawadros, commending his service to the Church. He then bestowed upon His Holiness one of the highest honors of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Among the attendees were Their Graces the General Bishops overseeing the pastoral sectors in Alexandria: H.G. Bishop Pavly (Montazah Sector), H.G. Bishop Hermina (East Alexandria Sector), Hegumen Abram Emil (General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), and Fr. Samuel Milad.

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