His Eminence Metropolitan Dimitrios (Themistoklis Zacharegkas), Archbishop of Tanzania and Seychelles of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa, paid a courtesy call on President James Michel today at State House. His Eminence is in Seychelles to visit the Orthodox community which coincides with his 10 year anniversary as Archbishop of Tanzania and Seychelles.

He was accompanied by Vicar General, Father Fotios (Evangelos Chatziantomiou), Honorary Consul for Greece in Seychelles, Mr. Tasos Pantazopulos, Vicar of the Orthodox Church parish of Seychelles, Father Sergios Janosevic and representative of Orthodox in Europe, Mr. Marco Mirti.

The President congratulated the Archbishop for the excellent work he is doing in Africa such as contributed tremendously to the care of the children of Tanzania, where he resides.

In an interview with the local press, His Eminence said that his discussions with the President centred on how the Orthodox community in Seychelles can be well organised with their spiritual and philanthropic activities.

“I was seven years close to Mother Teresa in Calcutta to help her for different activities philanthropic. It is my dream as we did in Tanzania with 10 clinics, 7 schools for orphans, 2 orphanages and about 160 other different philanthropic activities, I wish to have the opportunity to do for the people of Seychelles. To stay close to them, pray for them and with the support of our European and American brothers to do something in that paradise where Jesus sent us,” said His Eminence.

The meeting was attended also by the Secretary General of the Office of the President, Mrs. Lise Bastienne.