Celebration of the Epiphany in Alexandria
"The waters of the Mediterranean are peaceful but also non-negotiable. We support them, we hurt them and we love them ", said Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria, blessing the waters of Alexandria, at the moving ceremony held at the city's historic Naval Club, immediately after the service held in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos of the Greek Community of Alexandria.
"Our beloved Greece with our Cyprus, today our Alexandria from Egypt greets you. And we proclaim today that these waters of the Mediterranean are peaceful, they are blessed, it is for the friendship of peoples. Happy Birthday, full of peace, joy and hope. May God always be near you" was the message of the Alexandrian Primate from the special platform that had been set up in the sea facing the city for the ceremony of the diving of the Holy Cross.
The service attended by the Patriarchal Commissioner of Alexandria, Metropolitan Narkissos of Naukratis, the Metropolitan of Axomi (Ethiopia) Daniel and the Bishop of Tamiatheos Mr. German, were attended by the Consul General of Greece in Alexandria, Mr. Athanasios Kotsionis, the Consul of Lebanon Mr. Abdelaziz Aisha, Captain Costas Varouxis, who is in Alexandria the link between the Greek and Egyptian Navy, the General Secretary of the Greek Community of Alexandria, Mr. Dimitris Kavouras, the President of the Hellenic Naval Club of Alexandria Lilika Thlivitou and other officials.
The event ended with the cutting of the patron saint's pie of the Hellenic Naval Club of Alexandria, where a videotaped message of the Secretary General Apodimos Hellenism and Public Diplomacy was broadcast. Ioannis Chrysoulakis, who emphasized that the Greek state is on the side of Egyptians and Diaspora Hellenism.