Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross in Cairo, with touching references to the victims of the Tempe train tragedy
At the Service of Salutations to the Virgin Mary, which was performed according to custom at the Metropolitan Church of the Most Holy Theotokos of the Holy Metropolis of Memphis in Heliopolis, Cairo, His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, prayed along side the resident Metropolitan Nikodimos of Memphis.
In his speech, His Beatitude analysed verses from the oikoi of the Salutations Service, emphasising the great blessing that Neilochora had, hosting our Lord with the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. Patriarch Theodoros thanked those present, Mr. Nikolaos Papageorgiou, Ambassador of Greece, and Ms. Poly Ioannou, Ambassador of Cyprus to the divinely blessed Egypt.
His Beatitude made special reference to the youth of the parish who warmly welcomed him, stressing that he is very moved by their presence and their spiritual progress: “My children, I am proud of you and I bless you, you are the hope of tomorrow and our spiritual pride.” He thanked Metropolitan Nikodimos of Memphis, for his entire ministry in the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria, while for the completion of 35 years since his graduation from their common spiritual school, the Rizario Ecclesiastical School, he presented him with a commemorative medal in the form of Saint Nektarios .
He also offered a commemorative gift to Archimandrite Michael Zakis, Protosyncellus of the Metropolis and Secretary of the Patriarchal Commission of Cairo. During the 3rd Sunday of Lent, the Alexandrian Primate officiated at the Matins service and subsequently presided over the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, whilst being joined also by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolaos of Ermoupolis, the Patriarchal Commissioner for the Arab-Speakers and His Eminence Metropolitan Nikodimos of Memphis, Patriarchal Commissioner of Cairo.
Before the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, the procession and the raising of the Holy and Life-giving Cross took place with great devotion, for the blessing, sanctification and strengthening for the continuation of the spiritual struggle during Holy and Great Lent of all Christians. His Beatitude pointed out the importance of the Holy Cross in the life of every Christian and that patience is what helps each of us to lift the personal cross.
He wished with heartache that the grieving parents, spouses, children and families of the victims of the Tempe train accident that moved the whole world, would receive the strength from the Cross of Christ to lift their own cross with determination. “Our children and all those who died from the accident became the fragrant flowers that adorn the sweetest Paradise,” he said.
From the hands of His Beatitude, those present received the blessed flowers which adorned the holy cross, and amongst those present were, the Ambassador of Cyprus, Ms. Poly Ioannou, the chargé d’affaires of the Greek Embassy, Ms. Maria Kehri, the Consul General of Greece Ms. Despina Hasirtzoglou, the representative of the Hellenic Community of Cairo, Ms. Chrysanthi Skoufaridou, and the president of the Arabic-speaking Communities of Egypt, Mr. Claude Nakaas.
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