Moscow, March 30, 2017
Photo: Romfea.gr The website of the Patriarchate of Alexandria has announced today that the mother of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria and All Africa, Cleopatra Horeftaki, has reposed in the Lord.
She reposed just before midnight on Wednesday in Nea Alikarnassos, Crete, where she had lived for many years, according to ortodoxia.info. The funeral service will take place in the Church of St. Nicholas in Heraklion, Crete, on Friday, March 31 at 2:00 PM. His Beatitude will of course be attending the service to say farewell to his mother.
Patriarch Theodoros was very close with his mother, who always supported and blessed him in his path in serving the Church, beginning from his time studying in Odessa. On the eve of his election as patriarch, he called her and said, “Mama, give me your blessing.” “I gave it to him, from my whole soul. I didn't sleep all night. I sat up and begged the Virgin to help him,” she said in an interview given in 2004. The patriach visited her often in Crete, especially towards the end of her life.
There is a book of condolences for the local faithful to sign at the patriarchate in Alexandria and at the patriarchal metochion in Cairo.
May her memory be eternal!
