Alexandria – Tuesday, September 22, 2026
The Episcopal Church in Egypt, under the leadership of His Grace Bishop Dr. Samy Fawzy, Archbishop of the Episcopal Province of Alexandria, hosted a number of Anglican and Eastern Orthodox clergy and church leaders from several countries during their visit to Alexandria as part of the work of the International Commission for Anglican–Orthodox Theological Dialogue (ICAOTD).
The International Commission for Anglican–Orthodox Theological Dialogue is holding its meetings in Alexandria, hosted by the Patriarchal See of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, under the blessing and patronage of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodore II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa.
The commission brings together representatives of a number of Eastern Orthodox and Anglican churches. During its meetings, the commission discusses various theological topics and issues related to relations between the two church traditions, in addition to fostering mutual understanding and exchanging experiences among representatives of the participating churches.
Bishop Samy Fawzy welcomed the guests and accompanied them on a tour of St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Alexandria, the oldest Episcopal church in the Middle East. The tour also included the Episcopal School of Theology, located within the cathedral.
During the tour, the guests were introduced to the history of the cathedral, whose foundation stone was laid in 1838, as well as its role in the life of the Episcopal Church in Egypt. They also learned about the role of the School of Theology in theological education and the preparation of theological leaders.
The delegation was welcomed by the Rev. Canon David Aziz, Dean of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Mansheya; the Rev. Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary-General of the Egyptian Council of Churches; the Rev. Sirag Nabil, Rector of All Saints’ Church in Stanley; and the Rev. Daniel Kory, Rector of the Sudanese Ministry at All Saints’ Church in Stanley. Also participating were Deacon Karim Daniel of Christ the King Church in Ras El-Soda and Deacon Mark Fayek of St. Mark’s Cathedral.
Bishop Samy also delivered a presentation introducing the Episcopal Church in Egypt, highlighting its history and expansion, its various sectors, and its activities and programs in the fields of education, development, community service, and interfaith dialogue. He also presented a number of initiatives and projects carried out by the Church in Egypt.
His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodore II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, was represented by Archimandrite Athanasios Bougiatsis, Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of several Orthodox Churches, including His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate; His Eminence Metropolitan Nifon of Târgoviște, representing the Romanian Patriarchate; Archimandrite and Professor Kallinikos Berger, representing the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East; Protopresbyter Professor Dr. Chrysostomos Nassis, representing the Patriarchate of Jerusalem; Protopresbyter Dobromir Dimitrov, representing the Bulgarian Patriarchate; Hierodeacon Evlogios Tsatsas, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate and also serving as rapporteur; and Professor Dr. Bogdan Lubardic, representing the Serbian Patriarchate.
Also participating were Protopresbyter Nikolaos Papantoniou of the Church of Cyprus; Professor Emeritus Dr. Miltiades Konstantinou of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; and Dr. Nathan Hope of the Church of Albania.
Representing the Anglican Communion were Archbishop Michael Lewis, formerly Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf; Archbishop Dr. Philip Aspinall of the Anglican Church of Australia; the Rev. Dr. Christopher Bailey of the Episcopal Church; the Rev. Mark Billimoria of the Church of Ceylon; the Rev. Canon Philip Hobson of the Anglican Church of Canada; the Rev. Canon Dr. Lin Khay Phone of the Anglican Church in Southeast Asia; the Rev. Dr. Sarah Rowland Jones of the Church in Wales; Canon Dr. Christopher Wells, Director of the Faith and Order Unit at the Anglican Communion Office and Co-Secretary; and the Rev. Neil Vigers, Executive Director of Programs at the Anglican Communion Office.
The gathering took place in Alexandria, a city whose history has been closely associated for centuries with Christian life, theology, and culture. Amid Egypt’s security and stability, the city provided a setting for church leaders and representatives from different countries to come together, bringing the Orthodox and Anglican traditions into dialogue, fellowship, mutual understanding, and partnership.
The visit concluded with a time of fellowship bringing together participants from the various churches, providing an opportunity for introductions, personal interaction, and conversation among representatives of the participating Orthodox and Anglican traditions.
Issued by
The Media Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Egypt
Episcopal Church of Egypt