Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria arrives in Madagascar
On Thursday, September 8, the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin, Madagascar welcomed for the third time its Spiritual Father, His Beatitude Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa. His Beatitude arrived at Antananarivo International Airport in the capital of Madagascar early Thursday afternoon.
At the airport His Beatitude was welcomed by the Honorary Consul of Greece and Cyprus in Madagascar, Mr. Panagiotis Taloumis, the Ambassador of Egypt in Madagascar, Mr. Usama Khalil, as well as diplomats from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing the President of the Republic of Madagascar, Mr. Andry Rajoelina.
The local Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios of Antananarivo and Northern Madagascar, together with His Grace Bishop Prodromos of Toliara and Southern Madagascar, the clergy and the faithful people of God extended a warm welcome to the Alexandrian Primate.
By motorcade they arrived at the Metropolitan Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Antananarivo, where the Doxology was chanted, with the participation of all the clergy, as well as delegations from all the Parishes of the capital.
At the end of the service, His Beatitude expressed his joy because after seven years God had blessed him to visit the blessed island of Madagascar again.
He called on the faithful, clergy and people, to remain faithful to the Church from which they received Holy Baptism and the clergy received their ordination, the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria.
His Beatitude spoke to the faithful about the great feast of the Birth of the Theotokos and, taking occasion from the face of the Virgin Mary, spoke about every simple mother in Madagascar who with great difficulty raises her children in adverse conditions. These simple mothers deserve honour and respect, His Beatitude emphasised.
His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios of Antananarivo and North Madagascar, expressing the feelings of the entire body of the local Church, thanked His Beatitude for His visit, offering a brief review of the spiritual and charitable work of the Holy Metropolis and finally asked for the blessing of the Patriarch for the continuation of the work of the Church for the glory of God and the spiritual benefit of the faithful.
Finally, in an atmosphere of joy and excitement, the Patriarch left the Holy Church, in order to continue his missionary tour in the holy Diocese of Toliara and South Madagascar.
