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Patriarch Theodore honors Patriarch Parthenios III on 30th Anniversary of his repose

July 23, 2026 · 1 min read

In an atmosphere of profound emotion, prayer, and gratitude, the Patriarchate of Alexandria commemorated on Thursday, July 23, 2026, the 30th anniversary of the repose of the late Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Parthenios III († July 23, 1996).

The memorial service was held at the Patriarchal Monastery of St. Sabbas the Sanctified in Alexandria, where Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa presided over the Divine Liturgy. Before the conclusion of the service, Patriarch Theodore celebrated the memorial service for his predecessor, whom he described as both his spiritual father and mentor.

Addressing the faithful, Patriarch Theodore reflected with deep personal emotion on the enduring influence of the late Patriarch Parthenios.

“Thirty years have passed since my Father and Patriarch closed his eyes to this world and opened them to the unending light of God’s Kingdom,” he said. “Yet, for me, his voice has never ceased to be heard. I still feel his presence here in our spiritual refuge at St. Sabbas.”

The Patriarch recalled his recent pilgrimage to Amorgos, the Greek island where Patriarch Parthenios reposed, saying that praying at the…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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Tomáš Baláž

I remember how our spiritual father once said about him that he was very direct and practical. Nice that Patriarch Theodor II. he also remembered his pilgrimage to Amorgos, where Parthenios III. passed away - it reminded me of how we once visited the grave of an elderly priest in Greece, and one feels there that it is not just the past. Peace to his soul.

Marek Šimko

I remember that our spiritual father about Parthenios III. he said exactly the same thing - direct and practical, no nonsense. You wrote very well about the grave in Greece, we were once in a similar place in Crete and you really feel that these people are still with us. Peace to his soul.

Eva Balážová

Marek, I agree, Parthenios was just that - direct, without unnecessary embellishments. I had a similar feeling at the grave on Amorgos when my partner and I visited a monastery in Crete two years ago. Peace to his soul.

Veronika Nováková

I remember that our spiritual father always emphasized his practicality when making decisions in Africa. The trip to Amorgos that the patriarch writes about must be really powerful - similar to when my husband and I visited a small church in Corfu and one feels as if time has stopped there. Peace to his soul.

Katherine Johnson

I remember our priest saying the same thing about Parthenios III being so direct and practical, especially with all the decisions he had to make in Africa. It’s good to hear Patriarch Theodore mention that pilgrimage to Amorgos; we once stopped at a little monastery on Crete and the quiet there really did make you feel the person was still close. Memory eternal.

I remember that our spiritual father also mentioned how Parthenios III. he settled matters in Alexandria without undue delay. Your experience at the grave in Greece appealed to me, because I felt the same way last year at the grave of St. Nektarios on Aegina - as if something still remained there. Peace to his soul.

I agree, the practicality of Parthenia in Africa was really noticeable, our father talked about it over coffee after the service. I have never visited Amorgos, but I know the feeling of time standing still from the small wooden church near Prešov, where my daughters and I once walked. Peace to his soul.