Pope Tawadros II Greets Patriarch Theodoros II on Christmas

OCP News Service – 26/12/2024

Cairo -Egypt: On Wednesday, December 25, 2024, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II extended his congratulations to His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa of the Greek Orthodox Church, on the occasion of the Glorious Nativity Feast (according to the Western calendar).

The visit took place at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal headquarters at the Church of Saint Nicholas in Hamzawi, Cairo. His Holiness was warmly received by His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicodemos of Memphis and Patriarchal Vicar of the Greek Orthodox Church in Cairo, His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos of Hippon, Archimandrite Damaskinos Azraei, Abbot of Saint George Monastery in Old Cairo, Father Joseph Darous, and Father Pavlos.

Also present to receive the Pope were His Excellency Mr. Nikolaos Papageorgiou, Ambassador of Greece to Cairo, the Acting Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Cyprus, the Consul General of Greece in Cairo, and representatives of the Arabic-speaking Greek community.

His Holiness was accompanied upon arrival by a Greek scout group.

His Holiness and his brother, the Patriarch of Alexandria for the Greek Orthodox Church, exchanged words of congratulations and love on this joyous occasion.

In his welcoming address, His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II expressed his heartfelt greetings to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II:

“Your Holiness, your presence brings us great joy and immense honor.

In my festive message today, I chose to speak about the great virtue of peace, which we unfortunately see diminishing in our times.

Your Holiness,

true peace begins when our hearts overflow with the peace of Christ. Then, our societies are revitalized and renewed.

Hatred and violence are dispelled, and the path to genuine peaceful coexistence is opened.

Peace begins within our hearts! Without inner peace, there can be no outer peace.

Let us reflect on how sincerely we live the peace of Christ and how much we spread it to the world around us.

The Apostle Paul advises us, ‘Pursue peace with all people and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord’ (Hebrews 12:14).

I ask you to pray that the Lord may fill our hearts with peace, so that peace may reign throughout the world.

The Lord of Peace has granted me the grace to celebrate this year the 20th anniversary of my election and enthronement on the Apostolic Throne of Alexandria.

I present to you an icon of our Lady, the Virgin Mary, which also depicts the Apostle Mark, the Evangelist of Africa, along with his symbol, the lion.

This is a replica of a historic banner found at the Monastery of the Virgin Mary ‘Angarathos’ in Crete, the monastery from which I hail and which has produced four Patriarchs of Alexandria:

the great theologian Saint Meletios Pegas, the martyr Saint Cyril Lucaris, the ascetic Saint Sylvester, and my humble self.

I ask you to pray before it so that it may always accompany me on my challenging missionary journeys across the African continent.”**

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II expressed his great joy at this visit, which he always cherishes as an opportunity to congratulate his dear brother, Patriarch Theodoros II. He affirmed his prayers for peace in the Middle East and the entire world and for his beloved brother, Patriarch Theodoros, a man of peace who always carries the message of Christ’s peace, like the angels of the Nativity Cave in Bethlehem.

His Holiness said:

“I present to you a replica of the Star of Bethlehem, wishing that it may guide Your Beatitude on your spiritual journeys, which spread the love of the Divine Child, the Savior of the world, among the suffering and needy.”

His Holiness was accompanied by several esteemed clergy during the congratulatory visit, including His Grace Bishop Daniel, Metropolitan of Maadi and Secretary of the Holy Synod, His Grace Bishop Ermia, General Bishop, His Grace Bishop Julius, General Bishop of Old Cairo and the Episcopal Services, His Grace Bishop Clement, General Bishop of East Nasr City and Almaza, Archpriest Sergius Sergius, General Vicar of the Patriarchate in Cairo, Father Cyril Anba Bishoy, Director of the Papal Office, Father Moussa Ibrahim, Spokesperson for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and Dr. Gerges Saleh, Coordinator of Relations between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Churches of the Middle East.

Source:

OCP News Service