Historical moments were celebrated on September 8 at the Church of the Annunciation of the Greek Community of Alexandria, welcoming 30 Cypriot officers of the National Guard, who along with Cypriot parishioners and the Greek ambassador, celebrated Cyprus Armed Forces Day.

The National Guard officers, who are currently in Egypt, participating in Egypt’s multinational exercise “Bright Star 2021”, were welcomed by the Patriarchal Commissioner of Alexandria, Metropolitan of Nafratida, Narcissus, emphasising that the presence of Cypriot officers is a great honour for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, paying tribute to those who fell in favour of faith and the homeland.

On behalf of the Cypriot delegation, the Defence Attaché of the Cypriot Embassy in Cairo, Engineer Lt. Col. Konstantinos Hatzikostis, referred to the strong message of the Cyprus-Egypt defence cooperation at the highest level, conveying the warm greetings of Cypriot Minister of Defence, Charalambos Petridis, along with the delegation of the Cypriot Special Forces from the navy, the infantry and the officers of the Cypriot warship “Andreas Ioannidis”.

Also read:  Exercise “PTOLEMAIOS / 2021” | Joint training of Cypriot and Egyptian Special Forces

At the same time, the Vice President of the Greek Community of Alexandria, Andreas Vafiadis, expressed his emotion for the fact that for the first time such a large military mission visits the historic temple of the Greeks of Alexandria, along with the president of the Cypriot Brotherhood in Egypt, Maro Formozi, who in turn highlighted that today’s event coincides with the 148th anniversary of the Cypriot parochial union, maintaining in the Greek Orthodox Church the banner of the Cypriot Brotherhood as a reminder of the contribution of the Cypriot Hellenism to the community of Alexandria.

The event was attended by many locals, where the Cypriot Brotherhood of Cairo was represented by Giannis Koukisis and the Hellenic Naval Club of Alexandria by Ioannis Kontis.

Finally, a reception in the Great Hall of the Patriarchate of Alexandria followed, with the recitation of the national anthems of the two countries as well as with the exchange of commemorative gifts, where the Commander of the warship “Captain Andreas Ioannidis”, Captain George Papacleovoulou, offered the emblem of the ship to the Patriarchal Commissioner of Alexandria and a commemorative gift to the President of the Cyprus Brotherhood in Egypt.

Source: Hellenic Community of Alexandria

Also read: Multinational Exercise “Bright Star 2021” | Participation of Cyprus