The Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa is the second in rank among the fourteen universally recognized Autocephalous Orthodox Churches, which together, along with the Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, constitute the three Pillars of the Christian faith. Located in Alexandria of Egypt, its spiritual jurisdiction spreads throughout the African continent, which is accounted as a single geographical Church region in the Orthodox tradition.

The Patriarchate of Alexandria has a history of two thousand years in Egypt and in Africa, having been founded, according to the Church tradition, by the Apostle and Evangelist Mark who is also considered to be its first Bish- op. Saint Mark arrived in Alexandria in 43 ADS, the year which is counted as the foundation year of the Alexandrian Church.

During the first centuries of the Christian era, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, under famous leaders like Athanasius the Great and others, played a decisive role regarding the interpretation of Apostolic teaching and the crystallization of the Christian faith. A key contributing factor in this was the famous Catechetical School of Alexandria, which has produced men of great spiritual caliber, such as Pantainos, Clement, and Origen. A parallel development was the emergence and systematization of monasticism, in its various forms which undoubtedly made a significant contribution to the ascetic tradition of the Church and the Christian faith universally.

Under the Arab rule (641-1250) and the Mamluk administration (1250-1517) the Patriarchate experienced difficulties due to the shrinkage of the Ortho- dox flock, leading to a significant reduction of resources. The Patriarchate only gradually began to recover after the Ottoman conquest (1517), showing special concern for the pastoral care and the material support of the scattered Orthodox flock within Africa, and developing from time-to-time earnest diplomatic activity that aimed at securing the international protection of the Patriarchal Throne.

The favorable conditions created in Egypt by Muhammad Ali and his dynasty (1805-1952) aided the revival of the ancient Patriarchate. This was enhanced by the formation of dynamic Orthodox communities in Egypt and North Africa, and the discovery of autogenerated Orthodox communities in East Africa, a trend that has continued in West Africa and other parts of the continent, giving a new life and dynamism to the ancient Patriarchate. Initially the Patriarchate, through reviving the ancient synodical system, largely re- established its geographical jurisdiction, as it was before the Arab conquest. Subsequently the Patriarchate addressed itself to the whole African Continent, appealing to every African, irrespective of race and color, and tapping into the mores, customs and traditions of Africa.

Among Orthodox leaders globally, the Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa is recognized as the second in hierarchy, after the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, and holds the historical title “His Divine Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of the Great City of Alexandria, Libya, Pentapolis, Ethiopia, All Egypt and All Africa, Father of Fathers, Pastor of Pastors, Prelate of Prelates, the Thirteenth of the Apostles and Judge of the Universe”.

On 9 October 2004, the Synod of the Patriarchal Throne has unanimously elected Theodoros II (born Nikolaos Horeftakis) as Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa. After his election the Egyptian State officially awarded to him the Egyptian nationality and granted him special passport to facilitate his international travels.