Historic moment for the Alexandrian Church: Foundation of the Women's Holy Patriarchal Monasterytranslated

On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the eve of the great Despotic Feast of the Transfiguration of the Savior, His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, Mr. Theodore II, officiated at the Great Patriarchal Vespers, which was held in the Holy Patriarchal Church of Agios Nikolaos in Ibrahimia, Alexandria, flanked by His Eminence Metropolitan Tamiatheos, Mr. Germanos and the Theophileste Bishop of Mareotis, Mr. Damascenes, Patriarchal Commissioner of Alexandria, in the presence of great congregation. After Lent and the blessing of the grapes, followed one of the most moving and historic moments for the local Church. His Beatitude performed the solitary circumcision of two young Egyptian women, who, after a long period of spiritual preparation, trial and obedience, dedicated their lives completely to Christ the Savior, taking the solitary names Xenia and Matrona.

The first of the two nuns received the name Xenia, on the one hand in honor of Osia Xeni and on the other hand in honor of the blessed Gerontissa Xeni of Aegina, first Abbess of the Holy Monastery of the Holy Trinity of Aegina, which was founded by Saint Nektarios. Blessed Gerontissa...