Spiritual Brotherhood in Egypt: Pope Tawadros II and Patriarch Theodoros II Exchange Festive Greetings

Gerges Mounir Hanna – OCP News Service – 01/01/2026

Cairo – Egypt: In a powerful demonstration of harmony, the leaders of the two ancient Sees of Alexandria met twice during the Nativity and New Year season to exchange greetings and affirm their shared commitment to peace.

New Year’s Reception in Alexandria

On Thursday, January 1, 2026, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, received His Holiness Patriarch Theodoros II, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, at the Papal Residence in Alexandria.

The atmosphere was marked by spontaneous joy as Pope Tawadros and his companions sang a traditional hymn in Greek to welcome the new year. During the meeting, the leaders discussed their shared hopes for global peace. Pope Tawadros presented Patriarch Theodoros with a unique Coptic icon of Saint Joseph the Carpenter, which features prominent Egyptian landmarks, symbolizing the Holy Family’s deep roots in the land.

The reception was attended by prominent Coptic hierarchs, including Bishop Pavly (Montazah sector), Bishop Hermina (Eastern sector of Alexandria), and Hegumen Abram Emil, the General Vicar in Alexandria.

Christmas Visit in Cairo

This New Year’s meeting followed a reciprocal visit on December 25, 2025, when Pope Tawadros traveled to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate headquarters in the Hamzawi area of Cairo. The visit was timed to congratulate Patriarch Theodoros on the Feast of the Nativity according to the Western calendar.

The exchange of gifts during the Cairo visit was rich in theological symbolism:

• Patriarch Theodoros presented the Pope with an icon of the Fathers of the Council of Nicaea, commemorating the foundational unity of the early Church.
• Pope Tawadros gifted the Patriarch a model of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, inscribed with the Nicene Creed, with each phrase written in a different living language to signify the universal nature of the faith.

Accompanying the Pope in Cairo was a high-level delegation including Anba Daniel (Metropolitan of Maadi and Secretary of the Holy Synod), several general bishops, and Dr. Girgis Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches.

A Legacy of Dialogue

These consecutive meetings underscore the strategic and spiritual “rapprochement” between the Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox families. By celebrating these sacred Feasts together in both Egypt’s capital and its Mediterranean “bride,” Alexandria, the two Patriarchs continue to strengthen the “Alexandrian” witness to the world, emphasizing unity amidst a season of holy celebration.

OCP News Service