THE PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA IN CYPRUS

His Beatitude PETROS VII Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa arrived in Cyprus on Tuesday, March 5th, 2002, to participate in the International Conference ‘Dialogue between Religions and Cultures’. The Conference was organized by the Holy monastery of Kykkos through the initiative of H.G. Nikiphoros, Bishop of Kykkos; the ‘Pantios’ University of Athens and the Culture Center ‘Mesogios 2002’.

The Patriarch, accompanied by H.E. Makarios, Metropolitan of Kenya & Irinoupolis; H.G. Athanasios, Bishop of Kyrenea, Exarch in Moscow; H.G. Theophylaktos, Bishop of Babylon, head of the Holy Monastery of St. George in Old Cairo and the Patriarchal Deacon Nektarios Kontogiorgos.

During his stay in Cyprus the Patriarch visited the Holy Monasteries of Macheras, St. Iraklidis, Stavrovouni, St. Thekla, St. George of Mavrovouni and the Exarchate of Kykkos in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. He also met privately with H.B. Ignatios, Patriarch of Antioch; H.G. Nikiphoros, Bishop of Kykkos; H.E. Pavlos, Metropolitan of Kerynia; the Dean and the Professors of the University of Thessaloniki and various friends and supporters of the Patriarchate.

On Thursday, March 7th, 2002, the Patriarch attended a luncheon hosted  by H.B. Chrysostomos, Archbishop of Cyprus. H.B. Ignatios, Patriarch of Antioch was also a guest of the Archbishop. That evening His Beatitude attended a dinner hosted by H.E. Chrysostomos, Metropolitan of Kition (Larnaca).

On Friday, March 8th, 2002 the Patriarch attended the opening session of the Conference. Among the attendees were H.E. Mr. Glafkos Klyrides, President of the Republic of Cyprus; H.B. Chrysostomos, Archbishop of Cyprus; and a great number of representatives from all Orthodox Churches, Christian doctrines and various religions. Also in attendance were professors of various universities, clergy, diplomatic authorities and many people.

On Sunday, March 10th, 2002, His Beatitude presided over the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of St. Dimitrios in Paralimni of Famagusta. The Patriarch was warmly received by Mr. Andreas Vlittis, Mayor of Paralimni, other civil authorities along with the students of the schools of the area, the local clergy and many faithful.

Before the end of the Divine Liturgy His Beatitude thanked Fr. Evelthon Charalambous, the parish priest, for his great support of the Patriarchate's missionary work and honored him with the rank of Protopresbyter.

Later on the Patriarch prayed for the repose of the souls of Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou who both died for the cause to free the Cypriot lands occupied by the Turkish army.

His Beatitude returned back to Egypt on Thursday, March 14, 2002.

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