The Metropolitan - Orthodox Church of Naucratis

Introductory message

In the era of online dialogue and the rapid transmission and exchange of information, opinions and ideas through cyberspace, the official website of the Holy Metropolis of Naukratis, ecclesiastical Province of the Presbyterian Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa, wishes to present constructively to the global online community its Orthodox witness , but mainly its experience, as it is experienced and treasured in the noble multicultural environment of listening Egypt, from the cradles of Christianity and the cradles of universal Hellenism, spiritually found in centuries-old historical dialogue with its great culture.

Also, addressed to the brothers under heaven indiscriminately, it honestly offers the possibility of full information about the happenings within our small Orthodox community.

Pointing out that this website is the only official website of the Holy Metropolis of Nsykratis, We welcome you with special joy and honor, praying to the Archangel Christ for your good health, spiritual advancement and well-being.

The Metropolitan

Curriculum Vitae

His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon, Most Supreme and Exarch of the Nile Region of Egypt
(Arathymos) was born on the Holy Island of Tinos in 1974. He holds a degree from the
Department of Theology of the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens and is a graduate
of the French Institute of Athens. He speaks English, French and Italian.

He was ordained a Deacon in 2000 and a Priest – Archimandrite in 2001, by the late blessed
Metropolitan Dorotheos I of Syros, and served as Preacher and Director of Services of the Holy
Metropolis of Syros He undertook the pastoral the care of the youth and that of foreigners and
people of other faiths, at the side of His Eminence Dorotheos II of Syros (2001-).

Called in September of 2006 to the Patriarchate of Alexandria, he successively served as
Director of Development Projects, Codifier of the Holy Synod, Director of the Private Patriarchal
Office and Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod.

He is also a Member of the Patriarchal Committee on European Affairs, as well as of the Inter-
Orthodox Committee on Bioethics and the Advisory Board of the International Center for
Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) (King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International
Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue), representing the Ancient Alexandrian
Church.

He accompanied His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa,
on official visits and missionary journeys, and also represented the Patriarchal Throne of
Alexandria in inter-Orthodox, inter-religious, inter-faith international and scientific meetings.

On 21st November 2021, by proposal of His Beatitude the Patriarch of Alexandria, he was
unanimously elected by the Holy Synod as the first Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Brazzaville
and Gabon. He was ordained as Hierarch on 2nd December 2012 by His Beatitude Pope and
Patriarch Theodoros II at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria,
where he had ministered as Parish Priest during the years 2006 – 2012. The Holy Diocese of
Brazzaville and Gabon was founded by Patriarchal and Synodal Tome on October 7, 2010, and
was elevated to a Holy Metropolis on October 24, 2017.

During His ten-year pastoral tenure there, he completed and consecrated unfinished Church
buildings, chief among which is the Cathedral of the holy Great Martyr Demetrios in the co-
capital of Pointe-Noire, consecrated by His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and
All Africa, Theodoros II. On February 17th, 2018, while His official visit to the Congo. He built
new Churches, baptized thousands of Orthodox Christians, ordained new clergymen, elevated
the standard of the local Church institutions (Educational Institutes, orphanages, radio station).
He achieved their financial stability and independence by creating sustainable sources of
income and succeeded in having the Orthodox Church recognized, by Presidential decree, as
one of the official Churches in the Republic of Gabon.

He served as first non-African Chairperson of the national Council of Churches of the Republic
of Congo in its fifty-year history. He managed to have it recognized legally by Presidential
Decision, he developed its first Constitution, He renovated its seat and achieved its financial
independence.

On January 30, 2019, following a Decision of His Excellency the President of the Republic of
Congo, he received the highest honorary distinction of the country, the medal and title of Knight
Officer of the afore- mentioned Republic.

On January 12, 2022, he was elected Active Synodal Metropolitan of Naucratis, again
undertaking the duties of Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Second Throne Patriarchate
of Alexandria and All Africa. He was enthroned by His Beatitude, the Pope and Patriarch of
Alexandria and All Africa, on May 10, 2022, in the Cathedral of St Nicholas of the Metropolis of
Naucratis in Camp Cesar of Alexandria.

On the 24 th of November 2022, during the meeting of the Holy and Great Synod of the Hierarchs
of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, He received the award, with distinction of the
High Office-bearer of St Savvas the Sanctified from His Beatitude, on completion of ten years of
His Hierarchical Service.

HONORARY DISTINCTIONS

KNIGHT OFFICER OF THE REPUBLIC

OF THE CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE

The highest distinction of Knight-Officer of the National Orders of the Republic of Congo-Brazzaville was awarded on 31st January 2020 to the His Eminence Panteleimon Metropolitan of Brazzaville and Gabon, following the decision of His Excellency the President of the Republic Mr. Denis Sassou N’guesso, published in the Government Gazette.

During the ceremony of decorating His Eminence, which took place in the Grand Chancellery of the Presidency of the Republic, in the capital Brazzaville, after reading his biography, as well as the relevant Presidential Decree, His Excellency Mr. Norben Okiokoutina, Grand Chancellor of the National Order of the Republic, said among other things during his address: “…His Eminence, coming from Greece, the country that gave birth to democracy and developed philosophical thought, put all his powers and abilities at the disposal of our country, so that with intelligence, prudence, effort and many struggles, not only the Congolese Orthodox Church could grow, but also that our homeland could benefit… During the seven years of his Hierarchal tenure, he never stopped serving the unity of the people and benefiting the weaker social groups of citizens without discrimination. He placed special emphasis on education, prioritized the progress of the youth, honored the elderly, showed respect for our principles and values… We assure him of our love and respect…”.

This was followed by the awarding of the outstanding honorary distinction.

In his reply, His Eminence stated:

“It is with great emotion that we accept today this extraordinary and unexpected honor of Knight Officer of the National Orders of the Republic of the Congo and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this.
Our gratitude goes especially to His Excellency the President of the Republic Mr. Denis Sassou N’guesso, who had the courtesy to proceed with signing for our unworthiness the Presidential Decree No. 2018-422, published in the Government Gazette of the 26th November 2018, regarding the awarding of the highest honor of the Knight Officer of the National Orders of the Republic of Congo-Brazzaville for what we humbly offered to the country during our tenure as Primate from the year 2013 until today.

This highest distinction is a recognition of the multifaceted work that our Mother Church, the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa, performs sacrificially throughout the African continent, as well as the local Orthodox Church of Congo-Brazzaville, which has already completed 35 years of blessed existence and productive ministry in the wonderful country of the Republic of Congo.

Distinguished guests, dear brothers and sisters,
The Holy Metropolis of Brazzaville and Gabon, having in its spiritual jurisdiction the states of Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon, today includes about 7,000 native Orthodox believers, maintains eight parishes in cities of the Congolese territory, the model school complex Primary School and High School under the name “Light of Nations” with 258 students, the model Orphanage “Saint Efstathios”, an institution officially recognized by the state and characterized by it as the best social institution in the country. In addition, it maintains the radio station “The Voice of Orthodoxy 96.8 FM”, which relays the resurrection message of Orthodoxy to our compatriots, being counted among the first in terms of listeners.

During our humble seven-year Hierarchal tenure (2013-2020), despite the multitude of difficulties and severe adversities, we were able, by the Grace of God, to proceed with the completion or construction of churches, the continuous improvement and smooth operation of the above-mentioned church institutions, the financial, material and moral support of state structures, for the benefit of our fellow citizens, such as hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, educational institutions, etc., the financial support of pupils and students, the offer of legitimate jobs to dozens of our fellow citizens, the practical support of our fellow human beings etc.

On the occasion of this highly honorable event for our unworthiness, we wish to express our immense gratitude to the Authorities of our country, who always respond with great love and willingness to every request of the Holy Metropolis of Brazzaville and Gabon. Our gratitude and respect are boundless towards His Excellency. Mr. Denis Sassou N’guesso President of the Republic and his wife the Honorable Mrs. Antoinette Sassou N’guesso, President of the “Congo Assistance” Foundation, great benefactor of the model Orthodox Orphanage “Saint Efstathios” in Dolisie. We also express our gratitude to the Excellency. Mr. Clément Mouamba, Prime Minister of the Congo and through him to the elected Members of the Government, as well as to the political, judicial, military and religious Authorities.

Finally, we express our lifelong gratitude to our Father and Benefactor, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria which we have been serving conscientiously for fifteen years, Missionary Associations and Societies, Holy Archdioceses and Metropolises, Monasteries, ecclesiastical and charitable organizations and individuals in Congo, Greece, Cyprus, Australia and throughout the world who financially, materially and morally support the missionary and humanitarian work of our local Church in the midst of a global financial crisis, creating bridges of acquaintance and friendship with the wonderful Congolese people. We also express our gratitude to the distinguished clergy, the valuable collaborators and the Christian faithful of our Holy Metropolis, bestowing on them this exceptional honorary distinction.

In closing, we assure you of the continuation of our fight to the last breath for the progress and illumination of the blessed country of the Congo, the country that we now love exceedingly and consider as our new homeland”.

The ceremony ended with a reception hosted by His Eminence in honour of the guests, including the representative of the Government, His Excellency Minister Mr. Emilienne Raoul, President of the country’s Economic Council, His Eminence the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See, His Excellency the Ambassador of Egypt Mr. Halem Hassan Kandit, the representative of the Russian Ambassador Mr. Sergey Belyaev, Director of the Russian Institute, the representative of the Ambassador of Gabon, the Esteemed Commander of the Guard, representatives of the military, judicial and religious Authorities, Orthodox clergy, the members of the Metropolitan Council, etc.

The ceremony was covered by state television Télé Congo, as well as the daily press.