Two eminent members were honored by the Patriarchate of Alexandria for their exemplary presence both in the first and second seats of the Orthodox Church of Africa, in Alexandria and Cairo.
They are drivers Atef Gobran and Amer Youssef, who have been on the side of the Ancient Patriarchate for many years.
One Christian, the other Muslim, and both of them truly offer their services to the missionary church in Africa from their heart.
In fact, their honorary distinction was awarded by Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria himself, on the eve of the day he celebrated his thirty years as Bishop, in Saint Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria, in the presence of the Patriarchal Commissioner of Alexandria Metropolitan Narcissus of Nafkratis, the Patriarchal Commissioner of Cairo Metropolitan Nicodemus of Memphis, the Patriarchal Commissioner for the Arabic-speaking Metropolitan Nikolaos of Ermoupolis, Metropolitan Nephon of Pelusium and Bishop Tamiatheos as well as the holy clergy.
Patriarch Theodore awarded the Medal of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark to both Mr. Atef Gobran, who has served in the Patriarchate since 2004, and Mr. Amer Youssef, who has served on the Patriarchal Commission in Hamzaoui, Cairo for 21 years, where they both received in an emotional atmosphere their honorary distinction.
The two honorary distinctions were read by the Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Archimandrite Fr. Nikodimos Totkas.
Source: ekalexandria.org
