Visit of His Beatitude Patriarch Petros       In August 2001, His Beatitude Patriarch PETROS was visited Poland (on day 17-22.08.2001). This visit was make to invitation St. Council of Bishops of Polish Autocephalous Church.     The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa is an autocephalous Orthodox Church ministering to the spiritual needs of all Orthodox Christians throughout Africa. The Patriarchal Throne, established by the disciple of Christ, Evangelist Markos in the year 40, represents one of the oldest established Churches in the Christian world. The long history of the Patriarchate covers more than 20 centuries. In this period of time there has been a succession of Patriarchs, from the Evangelist Markos to PETROS VII, present Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa.       His Beatitude PETROS VII was born in the village of Sichari in Cyprus, on 3^rd September 1949. In 1966 he was sent from the Monastery of Macheras to the Seminary of “Apostle Barnabas” in Nicosia, from where he graduated in 1969. In August of the same year, he was ordained a Deacon in the Holy Monastery of Macheras by the then Bishop of Constantias, Chrysostomos - the present Archbishop of Cyprus.
    In December 1970, he was invited to the Patriarchate of Alexandria, where he served as a Deacon to His Beatitude Nicolaos VI, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, until September 1974. H.B. Nicolaos awarded him a scholarship to the Averof High School of Alexandria, from where he graduated in 1974. In the same year, H.B. the Patriarch secured him a scholarship with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the future Patriarch was sent to the Theological School in Athens, from where he graduated in 1978.
    On 15^th August 1978, by the order of H.B. the Patriarch of Alexandria, he was ordained a priest at the Holy Monastery of Pentelis. During the course of his studies, he served in the Holy Church of St. Spyridon in Stadiou, Athens. On 6^th December 1978, he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite by His Beatitude Patriarch Nicolaos VI, in the Cathedral of St. Nicolaos in Cairo and at the same time he was appointed Patriarchal Vicar in charge of the Patriarchal offices in Cairo.
    In October 1980, H.B. Nicolaos sent him to South Africa, where he was appointed by the then Metropolitan of Johannesburg, Pavlos, to be in charge of the newly built Church of the Panagia Pantanassa. At the same time he was given the title Vicar General of the Metropolis.
    In July 1983, the Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa unanimously elected him Bishop of Babylon and he was also named Patriarchal Vicar in Cairo.
    On 15^th August 1983, at the venerable request of the Patriarch of Alexandria His Beatitude Nicolaos, he was consecrated a bishop by the Archbishop of Cyprus, His Beatitude Chrysostomos, together with H.E. Pavlos of Johannesburg, H.E. Timotheos of Central Africa and H.E. Chrysostomos of Kition, in the Holy Monastery of Macheras in Cyprus.
    On 14^th June 1990, with the approval of His Beatitude Parthenios III, the then Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, he was unanimously elected Metropolitan of Accra and West Africa.
    In October 1991, H.B. Parthenios III, appointed him Patriarchal Exarch in the Archdiocese of Irinoupolis - East Africa (Kenya - Uganda - Tanzania) a post which he held until the beginning of December 1994. During the meeting of the Synod in November 1994, he was named Metropolitan of Cameroon and West Africa.       The Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, His Beatitude PETROS VII, was elected by the Holy Synod on 21^st February and his enthronement ceremony on the ancient Holy See of Alexandria took place on 9^th March 1997.
    His Beatitude Patriarch PETROS VII has had further education in Missiology in Dublin, Ireland. He has always been faithful and dedicated to his duties in the Patriarchate of Alexandria and to the Orthodox Church, offering very positive service to the Mission work of the Orthodox Church in Africa. The new Patriarch has participated in interdenominational and inter-Orthodox meetings as a representative of the Patriarchate of Alexandria (Middle East Council of Churches, Pan-African, Inter-Orthodox). The new Head of the Patriarchate of Alexandria speaks Greek, English, and understands French and Arabic. He was very close to the previous Patriarch, the late H.B. Parthenios III, whom he accompanied on many pastoral and official visits.       More information about activity His Beatitude Patriarch PETROS you are find at the official page of the Patriarchate of Alexandria:  www.greece.org/gopatalex