Letter to the newly elected Metroplitan Gerasimos of Petra

On the morning of 8th December 2015, have received with great joy and emotion the news of the worthy election of Archimandrite Gerasimos Marmatakis, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Agarathos, as the new Metropolitan of Petra and Herronisos, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa communicated with him and sent him a letter, expressing his warm congratulations.

His Beatitude has known the newly elected Metropolitan Gerasimos from childhood, and has fervent feelings of love and appreciation for him, as he is distinguished by his ethos and his virtues, as well as his innate kindness and love, and the mild and cheerful character. The culmination of his active contribution, as well as proof of the honour shown to His Beatitude the Patriarch of Alexandria, is the care shown by the Abbot, now the elected Metropolitan Gerasimos of Petra, for the establishment of a special room within the abbey of the above named Monastery, as a “Museum” named “Patriarch Theodoros II, of Crete and Agarathos”, within which are exhibited personal items donated by the Patriarch himself, in the Monastery of his Repentance.

Note that Brothers from the Historic Monastery of Agarathos, besides the Patriarch of Alexandria, are also His Eminence Makarios Metropolitan of Gortynia, His Eminence Andreas Metropolitan of Arkalohori, His Eminence Kyrillos of Rhodes and His Eminence Niphon of Pilousion.

His Beatitude’s letter of congratulations follows:

Your Grace Elected Metropolitan Gerasimos, of Petra andHerronisos, grace and mercy to you from the All Merciful God.

On the joyful announcement of your most worthy election as Metropolitan of Petra and Herronisos, through this Patriarchal Letter, we express our wholehearted congratulatory wishes on this promotion, which is the culmination of your lengthy, honourable and productive ministry to the Most Holy Church of Crete and and especially from the position of Abbot of our mutual Repentance, the Holy Monastery of Agarathos.

Once again congratulating you and wishing you length of days, with the blessings of divine treasure, for the benefit of your God-loving flock, we remain with many Patriarchal prayers and blessings.

Beloved brother in Christ

THEODOROS II Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa