The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania welcomes the official visit of the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa His Beatitude Theodoros II. The historical visit of the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa will take place from October 31 to November 5, 2009. This official visit is especially important because it resonates powerfully in the life of the Church wherever they occur and are important ecclesiological and historical events. The Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa His Beatitude Theodoros II will be accompanied by the Metropolitan of Kampala and Exarch of All Uganda, His Eminence Jonah and the Metropolitan of Mwanzas, His Eminence Jeronymos and His Grace Auxiliary Bishop Nikodimos of Nitrise. The official delegation of the Patriarchate of Alexandria will be received on Saturday, October 31, 2009, in the morning at the Mother Teresa Airport by the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrёs and All Albania, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios, accompanied by other members of the Holy Synod, the clergy and faithful believers of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.
The official reception of the distinguished visitors will take place shortly thereafter at the Annunciation of the Theotokos Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana, where a doxology will be chanted and greetings will be exchanged between the two Primates. Later, the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and his delegation will pay a visit to the Monastery of Shёn Vlash where they will meet the pedagogical staff and students of the Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy, as well as the teachers and students of Church Lyseum, Holy Cross.
The five day visit of the Primate of the Alexandrian Church will be filled with a wealth of activities and meetings, the apex of which will be a Hierarchical concelebration of the Divine Liturgy by the two Primates in the Annunciation of the Theotokos Orthodox Cathedral on Sunday, November 1st, 2009.
Monday morning, November 2nd, will be reserved for official meetings with the heads of State: the President of the Republic, Mr. Bamir Topi; Prime Minister, Mr. Sali Berisha; the Mayor of the City of Tirana, Mr. Edi Rama; as well as other high ranking officials of the Albanian government.
On Monday afternoon, His Beatitude Theodoros II Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa will meet with persons from different areas of expertise, politicians and diplomatic representatives for a cocktail reception at the Tirana International Hotel hosted in honor of his visit.
On Tuesday, November 3rd, His Beatitude Theodoros II will participate in the joyful celebration of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Annunciation Orthodox Clinic in Tirana. Over the next days, His Beatitude will visit the Metropolis of Korҫa, churches and monasteries and different institutions of the Church to take a closer look at the missionary work that is being done in Albania under the inspired guidance of Archbishop Anastasios.
Such traditional events were established centuries ago in the Orthodox Church and they are as rare as they are vibrant and majestical because of the symbols and messages that they convey. Traditionally, after the election and enthronement of each Archbishop, the primate of the patriarchates or autocephalous Churches throughout the world, begins the fulfillment of a number of official visits, designated “peaceful” in the language of the Church. These visits are made to the Patriarchal Sees of the other Orthodox Churches with the purpose of becoming more closely acquainted with the heads of the local Churches; and thus to maintain the relationship of Church unity.
The Patriarchate of Alexandria, on the Nile River in Egypt, has an ancient and important history because of the role it has played in the life of Christianity. Founded in the first century by the Apostle of Christ, Mark, the Church of Alexandria is well-known for its famous theological school which produced many great historical figures whose theological thoughts and ideas laid the foundation for the doctrinal truths of Orthodoxy which were later confirmed by the Ecumenical Councils.
Today the Patriarchate of Alexandria oversees great missionary efforts in the continent of Africa and is symbolically linked to our Church through Archbishop Anastasios. Before undertaking the leadership of the restoration of the Church of Albania, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios carried out successful missionary work during his long pastoral activity as Metropolitan of Eastern Africa. His jurisdiction included the countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Visit the official website of the Church of Albania: www.orthodoxalbania.org and that of the Patriarchate of Alexandria: www.patriarchateofalexandria.com in order to find more detailed information and photo galleries; as well as daily news on each activity of the official visit and to become acquainted with the biographies of the members of the official delegation.
It is truly an honor and the pride of each Church and country to receive as visitors the hierarchs and religious leaders of the patriarchates and autocephalous Churches, who are greeted everywhere in the world with the honor given to heads of State.
Alex Curi
Translated by Joan Baba
Edited byAnastasia Pamela Barksdale
