THEODOROS II
BY THE GRACE OF GOD POPE AND PATRIARCHOF ALEXANDRIA AND ALL AFRICA
TO THE FULLNESS OF THE APOSTOLIC AND PATRIARCHAL THRONE OF ALEXANDRIA
GRACE AND MERCY AND PEACE FROM OUR LORD AND GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST
BORN IN BETHLEHEM AND HAVING ACCOMPLISHED DIVINE DISPENSATION
“Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be
called Emmanuel, which means God with us” (Matt. 1:23)
Dear Brothers and children in the Lord,
The great mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of God announces His desire for
the man’s salvation. The Virgin gives birth to the Supersubstantial Word, who
brings peace to the world and goodwill to mankind. Mankind is not forsaken by
its Creator, on the contrary, the Creator God is with him, “God is with us” and
that is why the name of the newborn child is Emmanuel.
“God is with us” was so following the recent and sudden loss of His Beatitude
Petros VII, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa.
The Grace of God indicated My Humility as continuer of the spiritual
effort of the Alexandrian Church, as successor to holy Patriarchs, confessors of
the faith.
“God is with us” also on the twenty-centuries long course of the Ancient
Patriarchate of Alexandria. Despite its many trials, pressures, different
nations and cultures, it maintains and continues its Orthodox course given by
its founder, the Apostle and Evangelist Mark. In our days, with faith in God, we
travel together with our emigrant brother Hellenes of Africa to our African
brothers of the Missions.
“God is with us” in our concern for our emigrant brother Hellenes. Their great
work continues to be admired by all. IN every corner of Africa we see our holy
churches and schools, the great names of our benefactors and the Hellenic flag
in the Hellenic Communities. These are all their achievements. Our Patriarchate
and our Communities, Orthodoxy and Hellenism, united with harmony,
understanding, and mutual assistance, show everyone, especially the youth, the
moral values of Orthodox Hellenes, their Faith and Homeland, through our rich
culture, our traditions and our language. During these holy days our churches
will again be full and in our prayers we will ask our Lord to bless our every
emigrant brother and also to help our suffering African fellow man.
“God is with us”also in the imperative duty of the Church to its missionary
work. We have an obligation to enforce the Lord’s command:
“Go out into the world and teach all nations” especially in the area of our
spiritual jurisdiction. Social and political challenges in Africa strengthen us
and force us to enrich the mission activities. The thirst for the salvation of
the souls of all people is always the source and the culmination of entire
Christian life. This salvation of souls begins in the holy sanctuary, or simply
put, mission begins at the Holy Altar.
Already, in all the Archdioceses and Dioceses huge and multifaceted work is
being undertaken. Social assistance to our suffering African brothers, in
cooperation with humanistic associations and volunteer priests and lay people,
strengthen the presence of Orthodoxy in much-suffering Africa.
“God is with us” also in the efforts for the strengthening of the voice of the
Church in a contemporary and constantly-changing world. The common universal
problems of terrorism, hunger, poverty, wars, discord in human relations,
necessitate dialogue, communication and cooperation between people, independent
of colour, race, religion, language and descent, for unity, peace and
coexistence. As in the past, we send a universal and worldwide message, a
message of love to all nations and we will contribute according to our means
that the message of the angels for “peace on earth” may prevail.
My dear brothers and sisters,
I once again feel the need to thank the All Merciful God, whose Grace deems me
worthy to communicate with you for the first time, as a Spiritual Father and
humble missionary on the much-suffering land of Africa and from this Holy See of
the Patriarchate of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark I wish for you that the
incarnate Word of God will bless you and that the star of Bethlehem will always
guide your steps to His love.
“God is with us”. Amen.
+ Theodoros II
Pope & Patriarch of Alexandria & All Africa
In the Great City of Alexandria
Feast of the Nativity 2004
Updated 26/12/04
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