View source for Theodoros II (Choreftakis) of Alexandria

[[Image:theodII.jpg|right|frame|Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria]]
His Beatitude '''Theodoros II of Alexandria''', is the current [[Pope]] and [[Patriarch]] of [[Alexandria]] and All Africa. He was elected following the untimely accidental death of Patriarch [[Petros VII (Papapetrou) of Alexandria|Petros VII]].

==Life==
The future [[patriarch]] was born Nikolaos Choreftakis on the island of Crete in 1954. Nikolaos completed his early education in schools on Crete. Continuing his education, he graduated from the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens and earned a degree from the Theological Faculty of the Aristotelian University of [[Thessalonica]]. He also studied the history of art, literature, and philosophy in Odessa.

Having taken [[monasticism|monastic]] vows and receiving the name ''Theodoros'', he was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[deacon]]. From 1975 to 1985, Dn. Theodoros served as archdeacon and chancellor of the holy Metropolis of Lambis and Sfakion in Crete. Here he developed significant preaching and philanthropic activities, such as at hostels for needy youth. From 1985 to 1990, during the tenure of Patriarchs [[Nicholas VI of Alexandria|Nicholas VI]] and [[Parthenios III of Alexandria|Parthenios]] as Patriarchs of Alexandria, he served as Patriarchal [[Exarch]] in Russia, based in Odessa, Ukraine. There he established the Institution of Hellenic Culture and the Philiki Eteria Museum where 600 children were taught a thorough knowledge of Greek.

In 1990, he was [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] [[bishop]] with the title of the formerly distinguished [[Archdiocese of Cyrene|Diocese of Cyrene]] with the added appointment as representative of Patr. Parthenios in Athens. In this position he always accompanied Patr. Parthenios on his travels throughout Africa and to many international, interfaith, and Theological conferences. 

In 1997, he was appointed Patriarchal [[Vicar]] by Patriarch Petros VII, to assist the new patriarch at the outset of his patriarchate. Ten months later Bp. Theodoros was elected [[Metropolitan]] of [[Cameroon]]. As the leader of this [[missionary]] diocese, Metr. Theodoros greatly expanded the missionary activity in the diocese. He encouraged the building of [[church]]es, schools, and hospitals, as well as helping many Africans and Hellenes. 

In 2002, Metr. Theodoros was transferred to the holy Metropolis of Zimbabwe, where he established four missionary centers in Harare, a Hellenic Cultural Center that could hold 400 delegates, two large missionary centers in Malawi, with a hospital, technical schools, and nursery schools. Aided by the Greek Parliament he renovated the Hellenic Square (School-Church-Vicarage) in Beira, Mozambique. He founded churches and contributed to the establishment of the Hellenic Communities of Botswana and Angola. 

On [[October 9]], 2004, Metr. Theodoros was unanimously elected by the [[Holy Synod|Synod]] of the Alexandrian Throne as Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, succeeding Patriarch Petros VII who was tragically killed in a helicopter accident. The [[enthronement]] ceremony took place at the [[Cathedral]] of Annunciation in Alexandria, on [[October 24]], 2004. Present were distinguished ecclesiastical and civilian representatives and great number of faithful. His general missionary activity, as well as his affable character, are the reason behind the love felt towards him by all Africans, as well as by the communities of the Hellenes and Arabs of Egypt and All Africa.


{{start box}}
{{succession|
before=unknown|
title=[[Archdiocese of Cyrene|Bishop of Cyrene]]|
years=1990–1997|
after= [[Athanasios (Kykkotis) of Cyrene|Athanasios (Kykkotis)]]}}
{{succession|
before = [[Petros VII (Papapetrou) of Alexandria|Petros (Papapetrou)]]|
title  = [[Archdiocese of Cameroon|Archbishop of Cameroon]]|
years  = 1997–2002|
after  = [[Dimitrios (Zaharengas) of Irinoupolis|Dimitrios (Zaharengas)]]}}
{{succession|
before = [[Kyrillos (Economopoulos) of Nakratis|Kyrillos (Economopoulos)]]|
title  = [[Archdiocese of Zimbabwe|Archbishop of Zimbabwe]]|
years  = 2002–2004|
after  = [[George (Vladimirou) of Guinea|George (Vladimirou)]]}}
{{succession|
before=[[Petros VII (Papapetrou) of Alexandria|Petros VII]]|
title=[[List of Patriarchs of Alexandria|Patriarch of Alexandria]]|
years=2004–Present|
after=&mdash;}}
{{end box}}

==External links==
* [http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/resources/hierarchs/alexandria/current.htm#theodoros_patr Listing] at the Orthodox Research Institute
* [http://www.greekorthodox-alexandria.org/index.php?module=content&cid=001002 His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa: Biography]
* [[w:Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria|''Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria'' at Wikipedia]]
* [http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/740/profile.htm His Beatitude Theodoros II: A Greek primer] by Gamal Nkrumah
* [http://www.greece.org:8080/opencms/opencms/HEC_Organizations/gopatalex/sa/OurPartiarch.html Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa]

[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:Bishops of Cameroon]]
[[Category:Bishops of Cyrene]]
[[Category:Bishops of Zimbabwe]]
[[Category:20th-21st-century bishops]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Patriarchs of Alexandria]]

[[fr:Théodore II (Choreftakis) d'Alexandrie]]
[[ro:Teodor II (Choreftakis) al Alexandriei]]