Celebration of the Name Day of the Patriarch of Alexandria in Kenya
His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, celebrated his name day in Kenya with a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of Saint Makarios of Egypt at the Patriarchal School “Archbishop of Cyprus Makarios III”. The Patriarchal Divine Liturgy was attended by Their Eminences, Elder Metropolitan Makarios of Nairobi, Metropolitan George of Guinea, Metropolitan Dimitrios of Irinoupolis, and Their Graces, Bishop Neophytos of Eldoret, Bishop Markos of Kisumu and Bishop Panaretos of Nyeri, all the clergy of the Holy Metropolis and priests from Tanzania and Uganda, while all the clergy of the Metropolis, the Presbyteres, the Teachers of the Orthodox Schools of the Riruta region, the student youth and a multitude of believers.
The Patriarch was welcomed at the entrance of the Orthodox Missionary Centre by local authorities, the band of the Riruta police district, and the students of the Orthodox Schools.
During the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, the students of the Patriarchal School chanted the holy hymns, while the participation of the faithful and their evident joy created a climate of spiritual uplift, reminiscent of the joy of the Resurrection.
His Beatitude addressed words of love and thanked all the clergy who were present, who remained faithful to the Patriarchate, who were not misled by the misinformation and propaganda of the pseudo-exarchs and their followers, and called on those who were misled to return to the embrace of their Father, because their Father is here and awaits them, to return to their nest, to their authentic family, to their Bishops who ordained them and blessed their stole.
His Beatitude thanked the Elder Metropolitan Makarios of Nairobi for his great contribution to Kenya, the country he loved from the first day he arrived to work in the Mission, the country where he has been fighting for Orthodoxy for 46 consecutive years, sacrificing his academic career, but obeying the admonitions of Saint Sophrony, Archbishop Makarios and Professor Metropolitan Kallistos Ware. As a reward for his great contribution, he named him “Primate and Exarch of Kenya and all East Africa”, and presented him with the relevant Patriarchal Sigillion.
His Eminence, visibly moved, received the Patriarchal Sigillion and thanked His Beatitude for the great honour bestowed upon him, congratulated him on his name day and on his 20-year Patriarchate, emphasising that as an excellent helmsman he leads the Alexandrian Church with peace, unity and love on a brilliant Missionary path. He referred to the presence of all the holy clergy of the Nairobi Metropolis, emphasising that the presence of all the holy clergy testifies to the unity and faithful devotion to the Mother Church, the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa. Finally, he offered African gifts to the Patriarch and the Hierarchs.
Afterwards, the students of the Patriarchal School and the students of the Orthodox Schools presented a festive program with traditional songs and other artistic performances. His Beatitude, deeply moved, thanked all his spiritual children for their love and the joy they gave him, love and joy that gives him courage to continue his difficult struggle for the glory of the Lord and that made him once again proud of his Orthodox children in Kenya and the work of the Patriarchate in the country. Before his departure, he performed the unveiling of a commemorative plaque that will testify to the passage and contribution of the Late Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios Giannoulatos in Kenya (1982-1991).
In the evening, the Ambassador of Greece, His Excellency Mr. George Psiachas, and the High Commissioner of Cyprus, His Excellency Mr. Savvas Vladimirou, hosted a dinner in honour of the Patriarch. His Beatitude thanked both Ambassadors for their support of the work of the Patriarchate.
