On the morning of December 25, 2025, His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa presided over the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas at the Patriarchal Headquarters in Cairo.
Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Metropolitan Nikodimos of Memphis, Patriarchal Exarch in Cairo, and Bishop Stephanos of Hippo.
Among those in attendance were H.E. Mr. Nikolaos Papageorgiou, Ambassador of Greece, and Mr. Onofrios Economides, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Cyprus, as well as representatives of the Greek and Arabic Orthodox communities and members of local ecclesiastical institutions and associations.
The Nativity celebration was also honored by the presence of senior state officials, including Major General Hassan Zeyour, representative of the Presidency of the Republic of Egypt; Dr. Ibrahim Saber, representative of the Prime Minister; Major General Sherif Hafez; Sheikh Emad Hassan, representative of the Ministry of Awqaf; and Major General Ibrahim Abdelhady, representative of the Cairo Governorate, alongside representatives of the Armed Forces, Police, political parties, and other official bodies.
Patriarch Theodoros commended President of Egypt in Nativity message
Following the reading of the Patriarchal Nativity Message, His Beatitude expressed his profound gratitude to H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his continuous support of the Patriarchate, emphasizing that such care and attention constitute a great honor for the Church and for all Christians.
In his address, Pope Theodoros II highlighted the unique spiritual significance of Egypt, the land sanctified by the presence of the Holy Family, noting that Egypt is repeatedly mentioned and praised in both the Old and New Testaments, as well as in the sacred hymnography of the Church.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading of the feast, His Beatitude underscored the reverence accorded to the Most Holy Theotokos, whose name is mentioned in Holy Scripture and honored as well within Islamic tradition. From this historic place, he prayed that the peace brought into the world by the birth of Christ in Bethlehem may prevail throughout all nations.
He further noted that the presence of representatives from Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus serves as a reminder of the cooperation among these countries in fostering peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
After the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope and Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, visited the Patriarchate to exchange Nativity greetings, in accordance with longstanding ecclesiastical tradition.
In welcoming His Holiness, Pope Theodoros II emphasized that Egypt, the blessed land which hosted the Holy Family, remains a place of unity, witness, and apostolic continuity, where the mission of the holy Apostles and Saints continues to bear fruit.
His Beatitude also recalled that 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, expressing his joy at participating in the commemorative celebrations of the Coptic Orthodox Church in May, and thanking Pope Tawadros II for his participation in the corresponding anniversary events of the Patriarchate of Alexandria held in October in Alexandria.
Concluding, Pope Theodoros II referred to his prayers for unity and cooperation among the Churches, both during his recent visit to Rome and to Constantinople, where he met with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and numerous Primates and representatives of Churches from around the world.
To mark the significance of this fraternal encounter, His Beatitude presented an episcopal icon depicting the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, expressing his hope that the work of love, communion, and shared witness among the Churches may continue.
From Patriarchal Office of Alexandria
