On January 1, 2022, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II visited his brother in Christ His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark for the Coptic Orthodox Church, at the Patriarchal Headquarters in Alexandria.His Holiness was accompanied by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs and Interim Patriarchal Vicar in Egypt, Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director, Very Rev. Raban Philipos Issa, Parish Priest in Cairo, Mr. Elias Shahrestan, President of Parish Council, Dr. Jameel Mallouh, and Dr. Elias Halaby.First, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II welcomed His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II at the entrance of St. Mark Cathedral and the two pontiffs entered the Cathedral amidst the chants of the Patriarchal Choir welcoming them and chanting Coptic hymns. His Holiness Pope Tawadros II welcomed His Holiness and the accompanying delegation expressing his joy to receive His Holiness for the first time in Alexandria. He emphasized the role of the two sister churches in preserving the orthodox faith and the apostolic tradition as transmitted by the Holy Fathers of the Church. In turn, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II thanked His Holiness Pope Tawadros II for the brotherly welcome and said that he felt the joy of his predecessors who came to Alexandria and visited the sister Coptic Orthodox Church. He affirmed that martyrdom is also a common witness between the two churches.The two pontiffs then took a tour of the Cathedral where its history was explained and they visited the different parts, especially the tomb of St. Mark and the Coptic popes where His Holiness the Patriarch prayed the special prayer of the departed hierarchs. The delegation moved to the papal residence where gifts were exchanged. Then their holinesses visited the seminary where they took a tour of the different parts and were briefed about its history.

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