Hellenic Navy warship visited Patriarchate of Alexandria

The Greek warship “Samos” paid a visit to the Patriarchate of Alexandria on Friday, July 28, 2023. The warship sailed to the port of Alexandria as part of the annual summer training trip of the Cadets of the School of Permanent Navy Non-commissioned Officers (SMYN).

During the reception of the men of the Navy by His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, a minute silence was observed in memory of late Captain Christos Moulas and Sublieutenant Periklis Stefanidis, who heroically lost their lives during the recent fall of the firefighting aircraft (Canadair), on which they were extinguishing a wildfire in the area of Karystos.

Then, the Patriarch addressed the visitors. Referring to the history of the Alexandrian Church over the centuries, as well as its modern missionary and humanitarian work, he underlined: “We will continue to guard the historical, national and spiritual Thermopylae, keeping the legacy of our holy Predecessors as it is and non-negotiable, from the time of the Enlightener of our Church, Apostle and Evangelist Mark, until today, so that no modern Nightmare, no matter where it comes from, can manage to betray them. By continuing this tradition of our Fathers, we look optimistically to the hopeful future in Africa, where we are working tirelessly for a better future for its children, while being enlightened by the light of the Gospel and the Resurrection of Christ. ”

For their part, the head of the Navy, Captain Kastrinakis and Commander Panagopoulos expressed the joy and blessing, which they felt while visiting the Patriarchal Cathedral, while praising the work of the Patriarchate of Alexandria on the African continent, which the Navy will always honor and assist. An exchange of commemorative gifts and a tour at the Patriarchal Palace followed.

Metropolitan Panteleimon of Naucratis, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate, Captain Michael Tsiligakis, Attaché of Defense in Cairo, and Captain Constantinos Varouxis, who serves as a mediator betwen the Greek Navy with the Egyptian Navy, also attended the event.

More photos:

Source: orthodoxtimes.com