MESSAGE OF H.B. PETROS VII, POPE AND PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA AND ALL AFRICA ON THE ENTHRONEMENT OF H.E. HERMAN

(WASHINGTON 8/9/02)

Your Eminence, beloved brother in Christ,

It is with great joy that We heard about your worthy election as successor to H.E. Theodosius, who is a venerable and outstanding Hierarch.

The ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, along with Us, count upon cooperation with your beloved Eminence. In the past we haveexperienced this love and cooperation through the support and assistance that our Patriarchate has received for its mission work in Africa from the OCMC where your Diocese has an active role and a positive presence.

On this special day We take this opportunity to express our heartfelt wishes and appreciation along with our Patriarchal satisfaction not only to you, but to the members of the Board of the above mentioned mission center, for the valuable contribution of all of you to the mission efforts of our Patriarchate within the African continent.

We would also like to thank you for the 5-year assignment of clergy from the USA to the Holy Diocese of Johannesburg and Pretoria to help us achieve our mission.

We look forward to this admirable cooperation and apprehension between us continuing in the future.

And now my beloved brother, We wish with all our heart and soul that our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has chosen you for this important task, grant you strength so that you may be a worthy successor to the esteemed Hierarch H.E. Theodosius.

Your struggle will be tough and long.

May our Lord, the founder and maintainer of His Church, grant you health in spirit and body so that you may bring a favorable beginning to the new mission that you are starting today, for the glory of God and the Orthodox Church.

'Πολλά τα έτη σας!'

In Christ and with a brotherly embrace,

+ PETROS VII
Pope and Patriarch
of Alexandria and All Africa

In the Great City
of Alexandria,
August 21st, 2002