Inside a historic church of Saints Constantine and Helen in Cairo, the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross took on a double meaning. Liturgical and symbolic at the same time, as the church that hosted it is dedicated to the two figures that tradition inextricably links with the finding of the Holy Cross itself.
The Patriarchal Divine Liturgy was presided over by the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa , His Holiness Theodore II , flanked by the Metropolitans of Hermoupolis, His Holiness Nicholas, and of Memphis, His Holiness Nicodemus , as well as by the Bishops of Hippo, His Holiness Stephen , and of Mareotis, His Holiness Damaskinos . According to the prescribed ecclesiastical order, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was performed, followed by its veneration by the congregation.
The celebration was honored with the presence of the Ambassador of Greece to Egypt, Mr. Nikolaos Papageorgiou , the Chargé d’affaires of the Cypriot Embassy , Mr. Onoufrios Economides , the Consul General of Greece in Cairo, Mr. Symeon Linardakis , the President of the Greek Community of Cairo, Mr. Christos Kavalis , representatives of local associations and organizations, as well as a multitude of believers.
Before the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarch, visibly moved, referred to the deep meaning of the day and the special symbolism of the feast within this particular church. He recalled that the faces of the two Equal-to-the-Apostles are inextricably linked to the Holy Cross, which dominates ecclesiastical tradition and iconography as a sign of sacrifice , hope and ultimately the Resurrection .
“The Cross is not a sign of defeat, but of victory. It is not the end of man’s journey, but the door to the Resurrection. It is the sign that unites heaven and earth and reminds every person that behind every Golgotha there is always the light of the Resurrection,” he emphasized, among other things.
The Patriarch also referred with warm words to his recent visit to Greece and the days he spent close to the people of Chios , Argolis and Mani , expressing his thanks to the local Bishops, the clergy and the people, as well as to the representatives of the state, local and other authorities, for the manifestations of love and honor.
From every place he visits in Greece, he underlined, he carries with him to the land of Africa the prayer, love and blessing of the Greek people. The Throne of Alexandria , he emphasized, for two millennia continues to be a living bridge between Greece, Egypt and the entire African continent.
In conclusion, he wished that the Holy and Life-Giving Cross would protect Egypt , Greece , Cyprus , long-suffering Africa and the entire world, granting peace to the peoples and strength to every suffering person.
Particularly moving was the moment when he stood before the Holy Cross, offering a silent prayer for the people of God and for every person who carries his own cross. In the devout atmosphere of the church, the message of the day became even more vivid. That the Cross remains for the world a source of hope , consolation and strength
