Patriarch of Alexandria blesses the traditional Vasilopita at the Greek Embassy in Egypt
A joyous and significant event took place on Sunday, 21 January 2024, at the Embassy of Greece in Egypt, as Greek Ambassador His Excellency Nikolaos Papageorgiou warmly welcomed His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa. The Patriarch graced the occasion by blessing the Holy Vasilopita and performing the traditional Blessing of the Waters ceremony for the new year.
Accompanied by the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St. George, Archimandrite Damaskinos, and the Great Ecclesiarch of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Archimandrite Stefanos, the Patriarch arrived at the Greek Embassy for this festive occasion.
During the event, the Patriarch engaged with various dignitaries, including the President of the Greek Community of Cairo, Mr. Christos Kavalis, and the Vice President of the Community, Ms. Chrysanthi Skoufaridou. He also met with diplomatic staff, employees of the Embassy, Consul General of Greece in Cairo Ms. Despina Hasirtzoglou, Deputy Coordinator of Education Ms. Beta Sotiria, and directors of the Achillopouleios and Ampeteios Schools of Cairo, Mr. Vassilis Lagios and Mr. Giorgos Kokorelis, along with several teachers from the Greek-speaking schools.
After exchanging heartfelt New Year wishes, the Patriarch performed the Blessing of the Waters ceremony. Subsequently, His Beatitude and the Greek Ambassador jointly cut the Vasilopita, with the golden coin being found by teacher Mr. Thodoris Tsilimpokos.
Expressing his gratitude to Mr. Papageorgiou, the Patriarch Theodore shared, “I come here every year with a lot of love, not only for our Embassy, which I cherish, but mainly for you. I love and appreciate you, feeling proud of your successes. You are the secret lever that moves this significant friendship between Greece and Egypt.”
The Patriarch also discussed his upcoming trip to Greece, where he plans to visit the city of Kalamata and celebrate the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple with thousands of believers. Additionally, he informed attendees about his forthcoming missionary visit to Nigeria, where he will meet the country’s President for the first time.
Source: ekkairo.org / orthodoxtimes.com
