HIS BEATITUDE MEETS WITH THE PRESIDENT AND DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF KENYA

On 9th June 2009, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, was warmly welcomed at the Presidential Palace in Nairobi by His Excellency the President of Kenya, Mr. Mwai Kibaki.

During the meeting His Beatitude informed His Excellency the President about the missionary efforts undertaken in the country and especially about the 350 plus churches, schools, clinics, orphanages and other institutions, as well as the operation of the Patriarchal Seminary “Archbishop Makarios III” which educates the English speaking staff of the Alexandrian Church throughout Africa .

On his behalf, Mr Kibaki thanked His Beatitude and stated that his country stands by the Orthodox Church.

His Beatitude honoured the President of Kenya with the highest distinction of the ancient Patriarchate, the Great Cross of St Mark and gave him also a silver cross, a gift received gladly by the President.

His Beatitude also had a private meeting with His Excellency the Deputy President of Kenya , Mr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, who welcomed His Beatitude in Greek as he had studied in Cyprus and maintains close ties with Greece .

The Venerable Primate of the Church of Alexandria honoured the Kenyan Deputy President awarding him the distinction of Supreme Commander of St Mark and gave him, too, a silver cross, praying that “God will bless Kenya and all Africa ”. Both meetings were comprehensively covered by the local media.

His Beatitude departed at dawn on 10th June 2009 from Kenya bound for Egypt , having completed a most fruitful pastoral and missionary journey to this large African country.

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