THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY IN CAIRO AND THE MEETING OF THE TWO PATRIARCHS OF THE ALEXANDRIAN AND COPTIC CHURCHES

December 2015- January 2016

On 25th December 2015, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, officiated at Orthros and conducted the Divine Liturgy of the Nativity of Christ at the Holy Patriarchal Church of St Nicholas in the Egyptian capital, together with Their Eminences the Metropolitans Nikodimos of Memphis, Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo and Niphon of Pilousion, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St George Old Cairo.

Many faithful Greeks, Cypriots, Egyptians, Russians and other Christians from other Orthodox Christians countries participated, and for the first time many dignitaries from the Egyptian Authorities came to wish the Alexandrian Primate. The President was represented by his Advisor Mr. Hossam Zaatar, the Ministry of Internal Affairs was represented by General Tarek el Gamil, and the Governor of Cairo was represented by his Advisor Mr. Aiman Taha.

Also present were the Consul General of Greece in Cairo Mrs. Lambrini Komini, the Consul of Cyprus Mr. Angelos Lenos, the Chairmen of the Greek and Arabic Speaking Communities as well as other associations and societies.

Prior to the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Twandros II, Patriarch of the Coptic Church came to the Patriarchal Church and according to custom gave his wishes to His Beatitude on the occasion of the Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ. Patriarch Theodoros warmly welcomed the Primate of the Coptic Church, who spoke with praise of the missionary work of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and of its Primate. The meeting between the two Patriarchs was completed with prayers for peace and love in the world as well as the exchange of gifts.

The day after the Nativity His Beatitude the Patriarch will officiate at the Metropolitan Church of the Most Holy Theotokos in Heliopolis, of the Holy Metropolis of Memphis, where the festal even of the flight to Egypt by the Holy Family, according to the Evangelist Matthew, is celebrated annually.

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