|
His Beatitude Petros VII Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa BIOGRAPHY His Beatitude Petros VII was born in the village of Sichari (today under Turkish occupation) in the district of Kyrenia, Cyprus, on September 3, 1949. He was the first son of a virtuous couple, Panayiotis & Chrystalla Papapetrou. He was introduced to the ecclesiastical life and Christian virtues under the guidance of his parents and his grandfather Petros who was a priest. At the age of 12 at his own wish he joined the brotherhood of the Holy Monastery of Macheras as a novice. He was later sent to attend the Seminary of “Apostle Barnabas” in Nicosia (1966 – 1969). He was ordained Deacon by H.G. Chrysostomos, Chorepiskopos of Konstantia (current Archbishop of Cyprus) on August 15, 1969. In 1970 he joined the Patriarchate of Alexandria, where he served as Deacon to the late Patriarch Nicholas VI. In the same year he attended the Averofion Greek School of Alexandria. He graduated in 1974. That same year he was granted a scholarship by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs to study theology at the University of Athens, School of Theology, Faculty of Theology. At the same time he served as deacon at the Holy Church of St. Spyridon in Athens. He graduated in 1978. On August 15, 1978 he was ordained to the priesthood by H.G. Chrysostomos, Bishop of Dodoni (current Metropolitan of Zakynthos island – Zante), at the Holy Monastery of Penteli. After his ordination he returned to Alexandria. He received of the rank of Archimandrite by the late Patriarch Nicholas (December 6, 1978). He served as parish priest of the Holy Patriarchal Church of St. Nicholas in Cairo and then at the newly established Church of Pantanassa in Johannesburg, South Africa beginning in 1980. At the same time he was appointed Chancellor of the Holy Metropolitanate of Johannesburg & Pretoria. During his stay in South Africa he developed a fruitful pastoral activity. On July 9, 1983 he was unanimously elected as Bishop of Babylon by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa. At the same time he was appointed Patriarchal Vicar in Cairo. He was consecrated Bishop on August 15, 1983 by H.B. Chrysostomos, Archbishop of Cyprus at the Holy Monastery of Macheras. Concelebrating were H.E. Pavlos, Metropolitan of Johannesburg & Pretoria; H.E. Timotheos, Metropolitan of Central Africa and H.E. Chrysostomos, Metropolitan of Kition. Later on he attended a postgraduate course in Dublin, Ireland, in the field of Missionary work. He speaks English, French and Arabic. He represented the Patriarchate in various interfaith, international and inner-Christian dialogue meetings (WCC, MECC, AACC etc). On June 14, 1990, he was unanimously elected as Metropolitan of Accra and West Africa. In November 1991 he was appointed by the late Patriarch Parthenios III as Exarch in the Holy Metropolitanate of Kenya & Irinoupolis in charge of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. During this time he devoutly contributed to mission work. In November 1974 he was named Metropolitan of Cameron and West Africa. On February 21, 1997 he was elected as Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. The service of enthronement was held on March 9, 1997. As soon as he became Patriarch he re-organized the administration of the Patriarchate; established five new dioceses; reconstructed the Patriarchal Palace, the Holy Monasteries of St. Savvas in Alexandria, St. George in Old Cairo, the Museum and the Patriarchal Vicariate in Cairo and many other Churches in Egypt. He upgraded the patriarchal editions and published new ones as well. He continues the traditional excellent relations with the Orthodox world, other Christian Churches and various religions as well. His priority is mission work and the reconstruction of all ecclesiastical buildings.
|
