Patriarch Peter VII of Alexandria

[4] Upon graduating from Athens University in 1978, Petros was ordained as a priest by Bishop Chrysostomos of Dodonis and left for Cairo, where he was given the title of Patriarchal Vicar.

[5] Petros also initiated peaceful relationships between the Muslim and Christian people in the Middle East and interacted with Arab leaders, including Yasser Arafat.

[5] Petros used his position as patriarch to connect Orthodox groups throughout the world[1] and to "spread the voice of Orthodoxy throughout Africa, to people who have never heard of Christ, who are dying from hunger and sicknesses, where there are no schools".

In his letter, Petros stated that invading Iraq would be viewed as an attack on Islam and create future problems on other religions.

The Boeing Chinook helicopter carrying the passengers crashed into the Aegean Sea while travelling to the monasteries of Mount Athos.