زيارة قداسة البابا ثيودوروس الثاني لجنوب إفريقيا

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[align=left]HIS BEATITUDE DECLARES THE OPENING OF THE CELEBRATIONS OF THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS IN PORT ELIZABETH 31/05/2008



On 31st May 2008, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa visited in Port Elizabeth the History Museum where photographs and articles of torture by South Africans during a difficult period in our history are kept. His Beatitude was met there by a representative of the ANC, who took His Beatitude on a guided tour of the Museum.

His Beatitude then officiated at Great Vespers in the evening at the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Port Elizabeth . This service was attended by the High Commissioner of Cyprus in South Africa Mr Argyros Antoniou, the Consul General of Greece in Cape Town Mr Spuros Xanthopoulos, representatives of Hellenic Societies and many faithful.

Following the Service, in the Community Hall, His Beatitude declared the opening of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary since the establishment of the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos. The first function for this was a concert given by Greek musicians in the city and an official reception followed.


COMPLETION OF HIS BEATITUDE'S PASTORAL VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA 04/06/2008

The lengthy pastoral visit of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa to the Metropolis of Johannesburg and Pretoria and the Metropolis of the Good Hope, is completed. During this visit, celebrations and liturgies were held for the 80th and 40th anniversaries respectively. Also celebrated was the 100th anniversary of the Hellenic Communities of Johannesburg and Pretoria.
His Beatitude also inaugurated the new and beautiful churches of St Nicholas in Durban and the Dormition of the Theotokos in Port Elizabeth, together with the clergy and Orthodox faithful of South Africa. He worked together with the local Metropolitans , visited the monasteries, institutions and Orthodox Missionary centres of both Ecclesiastical jurisdictions, far flung Hellenic Communities, government officials and the diplomatic officials of Greece, Cyprus and Egypt.
He also met with and helped morally and materially some of the suffering African immigrants as he does on every Patriarchal missionary journey in the countries of Africa.
Also, due to the presence here of His Beatitude, an Association of Office Bearers of the Patriarchal and Apostolic Throne of St Mark was organized here in South Africa.




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[Fr. Boutros Elzein]

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مبارك الآتي باسم الرب

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