Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria makes pastoral visit to Nairobi, Kenya
Early on Saturday morning, 15 February 2025, His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa arrived in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, located in the heart of East Africa, where the Mission has been thriving for the past two centuries. It is a place where Greek missionaries laboured tirelessly, with many even sacrificing their lives for Christ and Orthodoxy.
Greek missionaries who were sanctified, such as Saint Gavrilia the Missionary, laid the foundations of charitable institutions, Orthodox schools, hospitals, and orphanages. Among them were Archbishop Makarios III of Cyprus, Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, Fr. Athanasios Anthidis, Metropolitan Nikodimos Galiatsatos, Fr. Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos, Fr. Amphilochios Tsoukos (now Metropolitan of Ganos and Chora), and many others who have etched their names in the history of the Orthodox Church in Kenya with golden letters—never with the silver coins of betrayal and slander.
The Patriarch was welcomed at the airport by the Ambassador of Egypt, Wael Nasreldin Attiya, the Consul General of Egypt, Their Eminences, Metropolitan Makarios of Nairobi and Metropolitan Dimitrios of Irinoupolis, Their Graces, Bishop Neophytos of Eldoret, Bishop Markos of Kisumu, and Bishop Panaretos of Nyeri, as well as Greek businessman Kostas Giannakopoulos from Tanzania.
In the afternoon on the same day, the Patriarch presided over the Vespers Service at the Cathedral of Saints Anargyroi, where the students of the Patriarchal Seminary of Riruta chanted. In his speech, the Patriarch thanked God for guiding his steps back to Kenya, at a time when humanity is shaken by social, natural, and climatic turbulence. He also noted that this visit comes at a time when the Patriarchate is under attack by a sister Church that has exceeded its canonical jurisdiction, expressing concern for the Church of Africa instead of focusing on its own flock.
He congratulated the students of the Patriarchal Seminary for their devout chanting, as well as the Orthodox faithful present, who stand in solidarity with their Patriarch, their Bishops, and their Priests.
In the courtyard of the Cathedral, students performed traditional songs, followed by afternoon tea, a custom influenced by British culture, which was also passed down to Kenya.
Afterward, the Patriarch held a meeting with the Hierarchs, attended by Their Eminences Metropolitan Dimitrios of Guinea and Metropolitan Dimitrios of Irinoupolis.
This gathering was the first of several meetings scheduled in the coming days. During the session, the Patriarch was briefed on the progress of the Patriarchate’s work in Kenya, listened to the concerns of the Bishops, addressed challenges, and provided initial guidance and admonitions.
