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The Patriarch of Alexandria at the Patriarchal Church of St. Nicholas in Ibrahimieh

August 6, 2026 · 1 min read

On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the eve of the great Feast of the Transfiguration of the Savior, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa presided over the Great Patriarchal Vespers, celebrated at the Patriarchal Church of St. Nicholas in Ibrahimieh, Alexandria. He was flanked by Metropolitan Germanos of Tamiathis and Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, in the presence of a large congregation.

Following the Litany and the blessing of the grapes, one of the most moving and historic moments for the local Church took place. The Patriarch performed the monastic tonsure of two young Egyptian women who, after a long period of spiritual preparation, testing, and obedience, dedicated their lives entirely to Christ the Savior, receiving the monastic names Xenia and Matrona.

The first of the two nuns took the name Xenia, in honor of both St. Xenia and the late Elder Xenia of Aegina, the first Abbess of the Holy Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Aegina, founded by St. Nektarios. The blessed Elder Xenia, though deprived of physical sight, was one of the first and most cherished spiritual daughters of the Saint, distinguished for her deep…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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James Evans

The tonsure of those two Egyptian women sounds like a real milestone for the local church there. Naming the first one Xenia after both the saint and that blind elder from Aegina who was so close to St. Nektarios is a nice touch. I hope they find peace in the monastery.

Sofija Ristić

It really touched me that those two Egyptian women, after so many years of trial and obedience, were given the names Xena and Matrona. Xena after St. Xena and after that blind old woman from Aegina, the first abbess whom St. Nektarios loved so much - it beautifully connected Africa and Greece. I hope that the monastery will be like a home for them, and not just an obligation.

Hannah Collins

The naming after Elder Xenia really stood out to me too. It’s good to see that long obedience and testing still matter before taking the habit, especially in a place like Alexandria. I’ll remember them both at the Liturgy tomorrow.

Елена Белова

It is good that after much preparation and obedience, these two Egyptian women finally took monastic vows on the day before the Transfiguration. The name Ksenia in honor of the blind old woman from Aegina, the first abbess of St. Nektarios, is a truly strong connection. I will remember them at the proskomedia.