The Vespers of Love at the Patriarchate of Alexandria
With splendour and Paschal joy, the Vespers of Love were celebrated on the Sunday of Holy Pascha at the Patriarchal Monastery of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified in Alexandria, presided over by His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria and All Africa.
Concelebrating with His Beatitude were His Eminence Metropolitan Germanos of Tamiatheos and His Grace Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis, while present were the Consul General of Greece in Alexandria, Ioannis Pyrgakis, and the President of the Greek Community of Alexandria, Andreas Vafeiadis.
In an atmosphere of profound Paschal joy, the katholikon of the Holy Monastery was filled with faithful from Alexandria, as well as pilgrims from Greece and other countries, who came to share in the joy of the Resurrection and to receive the blessing of the Patriarch of Love.
The Gospel reading of the day was proclaimed by His Beatitude in Greek and Russian, while it was also read by the hierarchs and clergy in Arabic, Latin, English, French, and Swahili, expressing the unity of the Church.
Before the conclusion of the sacred service, His Beatitude, visibly moved, addressed paternal words to those present, emphasising that, despite the trials and difficulties faced by the modern world, the Risen Christ comes once again to illumine the hearts of humankind, just as the Holy Light rose from the All-Holy Tomb, bringing a message of hope and life.
He further exhorted the faithful to keep the flame of faith and of the Resurrection ever-burning in their hearts, so that they may become bearers of light, love, and peace in the world.
Moreover, His Beatitude prayed that Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus may remain united, constituting a force for stability, peace, and cooperation in the wider Mediterranean region.
He also noted that the festive Paschal greetings addressed to the Christians of Egypt by the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, as posted on his official social media account, were accompanied by an image of the Patriarchal Monastery of Saint George in Old Cairo.
As His Beatitude observed, this symbolic gesture constitutes yet another tangible expression of Egypt’s esteem and love for the Greek Orthodox holy sites of the country, highlighting the strong bonds of friendship and mutual respect among the peoples.
Following the dismissal, His Beatitude distributed red Paschal eggs to the large congregation.
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