Theodore II of Alexandria says Egypt embraced Greeks, Cypriots

CAIRO – 2 May 2018: Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria met with the Greek - Cypriot delegation during their visit to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Alexandria.

“I would like to express my ultimate joy to meet you in your second country, Egypt,” the pope told the visiting delegation, wishing for Greece and Egypt's constant prosperity.

"Egypt is the big country that embraced the Greeks and the Cypriots with great love and hope,” the pope said, adding that Egypt still has Greek schools and graves on its land; a notion which holds a great meaning within.

The pope also talked about the books and manuscripts in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina that tell the history of the Greeks, saying: “We always take pride in all eras of our history.”

He spoke about the history of the Greek patriarchs who used to live in Egypt and the continued presence of the Greeks in Damietta, Cairo and Alexandria.

This came after the inauguration of the Week of Revival of Hellenism in Egypt, which was attended by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and his Greek and Cypriot counterparts.

During the Week of Revival of Hellenism, the Greek and Cypriot communities’ members are expected to visit several historical and important places in Egypt, including Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Ras Al Tin Marine Base, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Greek Cemeteries, Alexandria National Museum, Cavafy Museum, the Monastery of St. Sava and the Arab Academy for Science and Technology in Alexandria.