In an atmosphere of devotion, on Cheesefare Sunday, 26th February 2023, in the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria, the first Devout Vespers of Holy and Great Lent was served by His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa and co-officiated by Their Eminences Elder Gabriel of Leontopolis, Panteleimonj of Naucratis and Germanos of Tamiathus.
The divine homily was preached by His Beatitude, who also read the Prayer of Forgiveness for the priesthood and the congregation, wished that everyone would endure the period of Holy and Great Lent, which is most overwhelming period of the church year, with health, but also with a spirit of humility and contemplation and a fighting spirit.