Alexandrian Patriarchate celebrates Christmas in Cairo

His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa was in Cairo for the holy days of Christmas, to conduct the festal spiritual and Liturgical events as is Patriarchal custom. 

On the eve of the Great Feast, following the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude received at the Patriarchal Vicariate the Scouts of Cairo, who, headed by their District Commissioner Mr. Alekos Kazamias, sang traditional carols. Remembering the time when he too was a scout in Crete, His Beatitude congratulated the Scouts on their work, in which they celebrate their hundredth year this year, and gave them icons, commemorative gifts and a significant amount in aid towards their efforts.

His Beatitude then went on to visit the Aged from Cairo in the Old Age Home of the Hellenic Community of Cairo, where together with the Scouts, they sang carols and distributed gifts, and following that the visited and exchanged wishes with those being cared for in the Arabic Orthodox Old Aged Home, in Heliopolis in Cairo. 

On the day of the Nativity of Christ, the Alexandrian Primate conducted the Divine Liturgy for the Nativity at the Holy Patriarchal Church of St Nicholas in Cairo, aided by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikodimos of Memphis, Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, His Grace Niphon Bishop of Babylonia, Hegumen of the Holy Monastery of St George in Old Cairo, the Exarch of the Church of Russia Fr. Viktor Koulaga and the clergy of the Throne; also present was His Eminence Nicholas Metropolitan of Ermopolis. 

Wishes from the Government of Egypt were given by Officials of the Presidency of the Government, the Army and the Administration of the city of Cairo, whom His Beatitude thanked for their presence and asked them to pass on his wishes to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Egypt, Mr. Adly Mansour as well as to the Head of the Armed Forces General Sisy. Greece was represented by His Excellency Ambassador Christodoulos Lazaris, Cyprus by the Honorable Consul General Mr. Fotis Fotiou, the Hellenic Community by the Chairman Mr. Christos Kavalis and the Arabic Orthodox community by the Chairman Mr. Robert Hosni.

Following the end of the Eucharistic gathering His Beatitude received the festive greetings of the Coptic Patriarch Theodoros II. Welcoming the Coptic Primate, His Beatitude expressed genuine feelings of joy for the visit, emphasizing their common interest in the progress of all citizens of Egypt, regardless of religious faith. On his behalf, the Coptic Patriarch also expressed his satisfaction on the mutual understanding which governs the relationship between the two churches and prayed that love will prevail in the hearts of all mankind. Commemorative gifts were then exchanged. 

Source: Patriarchate of Alexandria