The Patriarch of Alexandria visits Sudan

On 14th February 2018, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, accompanied by His Eminence Nicodemus Metropolitan of Memphis and Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, arrived in Khartoum, capital of Sudan.

He was warmly welcomed by the Government of Sudan as well as the Hellenic Community, as well as representatives of other Churches. His Beatitude was welcomed at the International Airport in Khartoum by the Minister for Orientation, National Legacies and Religions Mr. Abubahr Osman, the Secretary General for Religions, the Secretary General of Churches, those in charge of Ecclesiastical Matter from then National Guard, the Honorary Consul of Greece in Khartoum Mr. Gerasimos Pagoulatos, the Committee of the Hellenic Community of Khartoum headed by the Chairlady Dr. Alexandra Pateraki, Representatives of the Khartoum Council of Churches, the local Bishop His Eminence Savvas, the representative of the Coptic Metropolis of Khartoum and others.

The arrival of the Alexandrian Primate was covered by many television channels and newspapers from Sudan.

The Minister on behalf of the Government then welcomed His Beatitude to Khartoum and expressed his joy at his presence. His Beatitude the Patriarch thanked His Excellency the President of the country Mr. Omar al Bashir, the Minister and all who had welcomed at the International Airport in Khartoum, and also did not fail to express his joy on being again in this beautiful land of the Nile, where Christians and Muslims live together in harmony, with absolutely no problem, His Beatitude then met with the representatives of the other Churches with whom he had a first brief contact and discussion, regarding the Christians in Sudan and then he gave an interview to the Sudan Vision English Newspaper.

On the morning of 15th February 2018, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa visited and prayed at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation in Khartoum. Immediately thereafter, in an interview to the BBC and other channels inside the Church, His Beatitude spoke of the history of Hellenism in Sudan as well as in other Orthodox Missions on the African Continent, expressed his joy on being in Sudan which he is visiting for the second time and thanked the President of the country for the warm welcome afforded him by the Sudanese Government. He also praised the excellent and harmonious coexistence of Christians and Muslims in the beautiful country embraced by the Nile River.

He then went to the Diocese and the offices of the Holy Metropolis, were he and the local Metropolitan discussed various issues concerning the Orthodox Christians of Sudan and gave the necessary guidance.

He then went to the Embassy of Egypt in Khartoum, where he was welcomed by the Counselor of the Embassy and the person in charge of Public Relations, as the Ambassador was away in Cairo. He thanked them for the warm welcome and spoke of the excellent relations with the President of Egypt. as well as the mutual efforts taking place for the benefit of the country in many areas. He also spoke of the fraternal ties between Greece and Egypt and Sudan, as well as the Greek presence in Sudan both now and in the past. On their behalf, the Embassy of Egypt welcomed the Patriarch to Sudan, considering his visit as important to both countries, Egypt and Sudan, and said that the Embassy of Egypt will stand by the Greeks, wherever necessary.

Immediately afterwards the Primate of the Alexandrian Throne went to the Honorary Greek Consulate which is housed in the “Acropol” Hotel, where he was welcomed by the Honorary Consul of Greece in Sudan, Mr. Gerasimos Pagoulatos, with whom he had a brief discussion regarding the Greeks in Sudan. His Beatitude gave Mr. Pagoulatos a Tome pm St George of Cairo, in Commemoration of his visit to Sudan.

At noon, the Patriarch attended a lunch which was hosted in his honour by the Honorary Consul, in the presence also of the Chairlady of the Hellenic Community of Khartoum, Dr. Alexandra Pateraki.

On Friday 16th February 2018, on the third day of his visit to Khartoum, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, because Sunday is a working day and the faithful would have difficulty, conducted by Ekonomia a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation in Khartoum, concelebrating with His Eminence Nicodemus, Metropolitan of Memphis and the local Metropolitan Savvas of Nubia.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude spoke of the historic Metropolis of Nubia and Hellenism in Sudan, and passed on to all spiritual advice, thanking all who were present at the sacred moment for the Metropolis of Nubia.

He then awarded a medal to the Honorary Consul of Greece in Sudan Mr. Gerasimos Pagoulatos and the Chairlady of the Hellenic Community of Khartoum Dr. Alexandra Pateraki. Present at the Divine Liturgy were a Representative of the Coptic Metropolitan of Khartoum, a Representative of the Eritrean Church, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Khartoum, the Anglican Bishop of Khartoum, Representatives of the Lutheran, Evangelical and other Churches, as well as the Chairlady of the Hellenic Community of Khartoum, the Honorary Consul of Greece in Khartoum, the American Ambassador, the Ambassadress of Lebanon and representatives of other Embassies.

After the Divine Liturgy His Beatitude had the opportunity of meeting with and having talks with all the Representatives of the Churches in the grounds of the Holy Metropolis. Everyone considers this visit as significant, as it proves the love and harmony between the Religions in Sudan.

After the departure of the invited dignitaries, His Beatitude had the opportunity of meeting all those who help the Metropolis in its daily work in the office, as well as in the organization of the spiritual and liturgical work of the Metropolis; he spoke with them at length, simply and humbly and celebrated with them as on the following day many of them would be working.

On the night of the same day he went to the “Keroyavan Resort”, where he met with the Minister of Orientation, National Legacies and Religious Affairs Mr. Abubahr Osman, in a very warm and friendly atmosphere, in the presence also of the representatives of the Khartoum Council of Churches and Representatives of the Muslims.

A constructive dialogue on religious freedoms in Sudan followed. Also present were the Secretary General of Religions and Religious Reconciliation of Sudan Dr. Farouk Albusra, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Religions Mr. Hammet  Yousef, the Director of the Office of Churches Mr. Amin Eltom and the Managing Director and Personnel Manager of the same Office Mr. Alfateh Mohtar.

His Beatitude gave as a commemorative gift of his visit to Sudan a wooden plate with a filigree emblem of the Patriarchate, to His Excellency Mr. Abubahr Osman. A dinner followed hosted by the Minister in honour of the Patriarch and his entourage.

Source: Patriarchate of Alexandria