The Patriarch of Alexandria Theodore II arrived in Cyprus from Cairo, to attend the exodus procession of the blessed Archbishop of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus Chrysostomos II and who referred to the Archbishop as a benefactor of the Patriarchate.
The Patriarch of Alexandria Theodore II was welcomed at the International Airport of Larnaca Glaukos Clerides by Metropolitan Nektarios of Kiti on behalf of the Church of Cyprus and the Exarch of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Cyprus, Bishop Nikodimos of Nitria.
The Patriarch of Alexandria, Theodore II, stated upon his arrival that it is “with great sadness that I arrived today from Alexandria to pay my respects to the tabernacle and to say goodbye to the blessed Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II”.
He said that "it's a strange day today because every time I came to Cyprus I called him from the airport to hear his always warm voice saying to me, "Welcome Your Beatitude. You came home".
He noted that "Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos B’ he was a hierarch who benefited the Patriarchate of Alexandria both in the mission, but mainly by giving shelter to the Palaifato Patriarchate of Alexandria with the Establishment of an Exarchate in Nicosia, whose love embraced not only Alexandria and our Church, but all the embassy Patriarchates, " he mentioned.
The Patriarch of Alexandria stated that “I believe that the years will pass, but his form will be so strong between us, because I personally was connected, since he was in Paphos and I was Bishop of Kyrenia near Parthenios, but also as Primate, many times I was given the opportunity to chat for hours with him and I admired his thinking, but above all the greatness of his soul.
Continuing he said that, "I will always remember him as a man of the church who loved the church, he loved Orthodoxy, he loved all people» and what he was saying is that "I have accomplished the task I dreamed of".
He said that "so on behalf of the Palaifato Church of Alexandria we will pray that God rest him» and added that Archbishop Chrysostomos "ranked next to the other great benefactor of our Church, Makarios III’. Now we will also remember Chrysostom B, may God rest him. He loved Christ and I am sure that he will rest near him”.
Continuing, he condoled on behalf of the Patriarchate of Alexandria "our Apostolic sister Church of Cyprus", adding: "and know that the Missionary Patriarch Theodoros i will always be near you I will come again because you are my courage and my breath. May God rest him”.
Immediately after his arrival, Patriarch Theodore II went to the Cathedral of the Apostle Barnabas in Nicosia, where the body of Archbishop Chrysostomos is exposed for popular pilgrimage.
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