At the opening service to the Lambeth Conference, a primatial cross was presented by Archbishop Justin Welby to Archbishop Samy Shehata, Bishop of Egypt and Archbishop of Alexandria.
Archbishops of Canterbury traditionally present a primatial cross to the first primates of new provinces.
The province of Alexandria, the 41st province of the Anglican Communion, was inaugurated during the Covid pandemic lockdowns/travel restrictions.
The ecumenical guest was Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London.
Alexandria is the seat of the Coptic Pope, currently Pope Tawadros II, and the Coptic Church and Anglican Church in Egypt enjoy very warm relations.
