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The Patriarchate of Alexandria
and All
Africa
His Beatitude Theodoros II
There can be no doubt that even at the time when
it was first built - in 332/331 BC, by the
famous architects Deinocrates of Rhodes
and Cleomenes of Naucratis, on the inspiration
of Alexander the Great himself - Alexandria was
a city of unique importance in the then known
world, a place of great prestige in
intellectual, economic, cultural, commercial and
military life. Because of its geographical
position, the city of Alexandria also became a
city which linked ancient Egyptian civilization
with that of Greece and Rome and, then with that
of the Jews, to emerge as, a renowned capital
which was a place of meeting and cross-influence
among the main spiritual and intellectual trends
of the time. The presence of the various schools
of philosophy, which developed and cultured the
theories of Aristotle and Plato, helped to
further elevate its prestige and splendor,
making it a pole to which men flocked from all
directions.
In 1926, Meletios Metaxakis, a memorable figure,
was elected Patriarch of Alexandria. A man of a
practical turn of mind, he decided to establish
the organization of the Patriarchate of
Alexandria on new foundations and to resolve the
numerous problems that had been building up
since the previous century. One of his first
achievements was the publication of the
Regulations of the Patriarchate of Alexandria,
on 15 May 1930. At last, due attention was paid
to the life of the metropolitan bishoprics and
the parishes in its entirety, including ritual,
the sacraments and even the judicial aspects of
life. Meletios also founded the Seminary of St
Athanasios. In his time, the Patriarchate
supervised ten metropolitan provinces, 90
churches 5 monasteries and 107 parish priests.
On his initiative, an Organic Law of the Greek
Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria was drawn up
and passed, laying down the manner in which the
Patriarch was to be elected and the rights,
which he would exercise. In his consultations
with the Anglicans, Meletios did much to usher
in a new era. The term of se6rvice of Patriarch
Christophoros (1939-1967) would best be
described as one of large-scale projects and
renovation. New metropolitan bishoprics were set
–up throughout the Dark Continent, and official
recognition was granted to the African Orthodox
communities. This move did much to consolidate
the Patriarchate's missionary activities abroad.
The next two Patriarchs, Nikolaos VI (1968-1986)
and Parthenios (1987-1996) strove successfully
to adapt to the new conditions in which the
'Patriarchate sought to increase its prestige.
Many projects were carried out, and particular
care was taken over missionary activities
abroad, on new foundations.
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