St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church, Nashville

  Coptic Orthodox Popes of Alexandria 

1st Century

No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & PlaceNotes
1 62 St. Mark the Apostle & Evangelist John (Yoannis), son of Aristopolus On the 30th day of the blessed month of Baramoudah, which coincided with the 26th of April 68 A.D., the great apostle St. Mark, the Evangelist of the Land of Egypt, was martyred. He was the First Pope of Alexandria and one of the Seventy Apostles. His name was John, as the Holy Bible says: “He came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying” (Acts 12:12). He was the one that the Lord Christ, to Whom is the glory, meant when he said: “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, the Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples” (Matthew 26:18). St. Mark Biography
5/8/0068 MARCOS Cyrene, Pentapolis (North Africa)
6 Y Μαρκοϲ
2 68 St. Anianus Anianus On the 20th day of the blessed month of Hatour, of the year 86 A.D., the holy father Abba Anianus, the second Pope of Alexandria, departed. This saint was a native of Alexandria, the son of pagan parents, and he was a cobbler. When St. Mark, the Apostle, entered the city of Alexandria, it happened by God’s Divine Will that he tripped and tore his Sandal. He gave it to Anianus to repair.
11/29/0083 Alexandria, Egypt
15 Y INIANOS
3 83 St. Avilius Avilius On the First Day of the blessed month of Tute, in the year 98 A.D., St. Melyos (Avilius), the Third Pope of Alexandria after St. Mark, departed. This saint was enthroned in the fifteenth year of the reign of Domitian, son of Vespasian, Emperor of Rome, and 55 years after the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. He pastured and guarded the flock of Christ well for 12 years and departed in peace.
9/11/0095 Egypt
12 Y MELYOS
4 9/18/0095 St. Cerdo Cerdo The twenty first day of the blessed month of Baounah, also (June 15th, 106 A.D.) marks the departure of St. Kedron (Kardonos), the Fourth Patriarch of Alexandria. This father was baptized by the hand of St. Mark the apostle, and the evangelist of the land of Egypt. He learned the doctrines and the books of the church. After the departure of Pope Melius, he was ordained a Pope for the See of St. Mark in the 7th of Tute (September 5th, 95 A.D.). He shepherded his people with the best of care, by preaching, teaching, and instructing them for eleven years, one month, and twelve days, then departed in peace.
6/28/0106 Egypt
10Y, 9M CEDRONUS

2nd Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
5 6/29/0109 St. Primus Primus On the third day of the blessed month of Misra, in the year 116 A.D. Pope Aprimos (Primus), Fifth Patriarch of Alexandria departed. He was baptized by St. Mark the Apostle. He was one of the three who were ordained priests by St. Mark the Apostle, along with Bishop Anianus, the Second Patriarch. Pope Aprimos was ascetic, pious and filled with good deeds. He was ordained to the apostolic chair on the 22nd of Baounah (June 16th, 106 A.D.). During his papacy, the church was in peace and tranquility.
8/9/0118 Egypt
9Y ABRIAMUS
6 118 St. Justus Justus On the twelfth day of the blessed month of Baounah, of the year 135 A.D., St. Justus (Yustus), the Sixth Pope of the See of St. Mark, departed. This Saint was an honorable and learned man before his ordination. He was baptized by St. Mark the Apostle, along with his father, his mother and others. St. Anianus, the Second Pope, ordained him a deacon, then a priest, and appointed him to preach, and teach the people. He was chosen for the papacy to succeed Pope Primus. He shepherded his people with the best of care for ten years. He departed at a pleasing good old age.
6/19/0129 Egypt
11Y YUSTUS
7 129 St. Eumenius Eumenius The nineth day of the blessed month of Babah, of the year 146 A.D., Saint Eumenius the seventh Pope of the See of St. Mark, departed. Pope Apremius, the fifth Pope, ordained him a deacon and he served 10 years in this position. When St. Justus, the sixth Pope, was appointed, he saw how Emenius excelled in the knowledge and faith, so he ordained him a priest. He entrusted to him the teaching of the believers of the church of Alexandria, and asked him to look after them and to instruct them in the principles of the Orthodox faith.
10/19/0141 Egypt
13Y OMENIUS
8 141 St. Markianos Markianos On the sixth day of the blessed month of Tubah, in year 154 A.D., St. Markianus, the 8th Pope of Alexandria, departed. He was born in Alexandria. When Pope Eumenius departed, the fathers of the church gathered with the people of Alexandria and discussed whom they should choose for the vacant throne. By consensus, they chose Markianus for his intellect and righteousness.
1/14/0152 Alexandria, Egypt
9Y, 2M MARCIANUS
9 1/29/0152 St. Celadion Cladion On the ninth day of the blessed month of Abib, in the year 166 A.D. St. Cladianus (Celadion), the ninth Pope of the See of St. Mark, departed. He was a knowledgeable man, and righteous in his life, he was chosen Patriarch in the 8th of Tubah (January 16th, 152 A.D.), after the departure of his predecessor Pope Markianus. He continued to teach, preach and better his people, until he departed in peace after he had stayed on the Chair for fourteen years and six months.
7/16/0166 Egypt
14Y, 6M CLADIANUS
10 167 St. Agrippinus Agrippinus On the fifth day of the blessed month of Amshir, of the year 181 A.D., Pope Agrippinus, 10th pope of Alexandria, departed. This father was holy and pure and he feared God. He was ordained a priest on the church of Alexandria. When Pope Celadion 9th Pope departed, Pope Agrippinus was chosen Patriarch by the people and clergy of Alexandria. By the grace of God, he took over the apostolic throne of Alexandria and walked in the footsteps of the apostles.
02/12/0178 Alexandria, Egypt
12Y AGHREPPINUS
11 03/18/0178 St. Julian Julian The Lord’s angel revealed to him that the vinedresser who will bring him a grape vine will succeed him
03/18/0188 Egypt
10Y, 9M YULIANUS
12 03/17/0188 St. Demetrius I Demetrius – Was an illiterate and a married vinedresser who brought a grape vine to Pope Julian, which was the sign to him being chosen to be the next to take the throne – He established the Epokt formula to set fasts and feasts days – To provide proof of his celibacy when people murmured against him, him and his wife took lumps of coal and placed them in their clothes: when they did not burn, that was taken to be proof to their celibacy
10/22/0230 DEMETRIUS Alexandria, Egypt
43Y

3rd Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
13 231 St. Heraclas Heraclas – His parents were pagans before becoming Christians and enrolled him into the theological school – Became a deacon, then an orator – Was the first patriarch to take the title of “Pope” – Was a dean for the School of Alexandria – The Sixth Persecution under Maximus in 235 AD who order to kill the bishops and the shepherds
12/17/0246 YAROKLAS Egypt
13Y
14 12/28/0247 St. Dionysius Dionysius – Was a pagan and a philosopher – Once bought some documents containing St. Paul the Apostle’s epistles, and they became the reason he believed – He enrolled in the theological school and later became the dean
03/22/0264 DIONYSIUS Egypt
17Y, 2M
15 11/09/0265 St. Maximus – The Ninth Persecution under Aurelian in 274 AD who decreed to kill Christianity which resulted into many massacres – When the emperor died, the Church lived in peace until Diocletian’s reign
04/22/0282 MAXIMUS Alexandria, Egypt
16Y, 5M
16 282 St. Theonas – During his time, Christians were still praying liturgies in homes and caves – Diocletian governed with religious tolerance towards Christians, however this policy turned against Christians towards the end of his reign – As a result of these persecutions, the Church considered 284 AD, when he became emperor, to be the first year of the new Coptic calendar called “Anno Martyrum” (Year of the Martyrs) – He was also the first to build a church in Alexandriait
01/10/0300 THEONAS Egypt
18Y

4th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
17 300 St. Peter “Seal of the Martyrs" Peter (Petros) – Diocletian became emperor in 284 AD and he appointed Maximian Caesar for the West, and Galerius Caesar for the East (Syria and Egypt) – In 303 AD, Diocletian decreed to imprison the churches’ heads and destroying them; this became the Tenth Persecution and the most severe of all of them – Arius’ heresy came to light and he was excommunicated for it
12/08/0310 PETROS Alexandria, Egypt
11Y Πετροϲ
18 12/24/0310 St. Achillas He accepted Arius and absolved him from excommunication, opposing his spiritual father’s advice, Pope Peter I (Seal of the Martyrs) – He held the throne for 6 months before dying
06/26/0311 ARCHELAUS Egypt
6M, 2D
19 313 St Alexander I – He resisted Arius who denied Jesus Christ’s divinity – Emperor Constantine convened the ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325 AD in the presence of 318 bishops who decided to excommunicate Arius and ratified the Creed
04/30/0328 ALEXANDROS Alexandria, Egypt
15Y
20 05/05/0328 St. Athanasius the Apostolic – This Pope was the first to wear the monastic uniform by St. Anthony and made it the uniform of all popes and bishops. – His genius was revealed in exposing the heresy of Arius at the Council of Nicaea, Athanasius was a deacon at the time. – He ordained for Ethiopia its first bishop, Bishop Salama. – Arians persecuted him and was exiled five times.
05/15/0373 ATHANASIUS Alexandria, Egypt
45Y
21 373 St. Peter II – Endured many hardships from Arians who tried to kill him many times – He hid for two years from the Arian patriarch that was forcibly appointed by the Emperor
02/27/0381 PETROS II Egypt
8Y Πετροϲ
22 03/14/0378 St. Timothy I – Headed the second ecumenical Council of Constantinople in 381 AD in the presence of 150 bishops who decided to excommunicate Macedonius of Constantinople because of his heresy of denying the divinity of the Holy Spirit – The council also ratified an addition to the Creed: “Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit….”
08/02/0384 TIMOTHEOS Egypt
6Y, 4M
23 384 St. Theophilus – He differed with four monks that are known as the Tall Brethren for preaching Origen’s teachings – They fled to St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, and because he received them, a conflict arose between the Pope and the Archbishop – Empress Eudoxia seized this opportunity to exile St. John Chrysostom since there was enmity between them, however, she repented and regretted what she did
10/28/0412 THEOPHILUS Egypt
30Y

5th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
24 10/17/0412 St. Cyril "Pillar of Faith" Was Pope Theophilus’ sister’s son who sent him to St. Makarious Monastery to be a disciple to the elder monks for 5 years – Headed the third ecumenical Council of Ephesus in 431 AD in the presence of 200 bishops who decided to excommunicate Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who denied that the Virgin Mary is the Mother of God – The council added an introduction to the Creed: “We exalt you, O Mother of the true Light….” – Wrote many biblical commentaries – Absolved St. John Chrysostom’s excommunication and returned his name to the fathers’ Diptych in the Liturgy
07/10/0444 KYRILLOS Alexandria, Egypt
31Y, 8M
25 444 St. Dioscorus – In 451 AD, Council of Chalcedon was convened in which Pope Leon I of Rome declared the doctrine of the two natures of Jesus Christ (dyophysitism) – Pope Dioscorus denied any terminology that refer to two wills or two natures of Jesus Christ and held onto “The one nature of God the incarnate Logos” – As a result, the empress Pulcheria commanded to be struck and for his beard hair to be plucked out
09/17/0454 DIOSCORUS Egypt
11Y
26 00/10/0457 St. Timothy II – With incitement from the Pope of Rome, Emperor Leo I exiled Pope Timothy II to the Island of Gangra for seven years – During this period, the Melkites (supporters of Chalcedon) appointed a replacement patriarch for Alexandria who was called “Salophakiolos” (the wobble cap)
08/13/0477 TIMOTHEOS II Egypt
21Y, 10M
27 00/00/0477 St. Peter III – He endured many hardships from the Melkites and was exiled from his throne once then returned to it – He continued to teach his people with letters even when in exile – During his papacy, the Patriarch of Constantinople renounced the Council of Chalcedon, and supported the Pope of Alexandria
11/11/0489 PETROS III Egypt
8Y Πετροϲ
28 492 St. Athanasius II Emperor Zeno and Emperor Anastasius I did not support the Council of Chalcedon, therefore, the Church was in peace during their reign
09/30/0496 ATHANASIUS II Egypt
3Y, 9M
29 09/29/0496 St. John I – All his days were calm and peaceful due to the reign of Emperor Anastasius I, who was not a supporter of the Council of Chalcedon and a righteous man – During his papacy, the Patriarch of Constantinople cut ties with the Church of Alexandria
05/12/0505 YOANNIS Alexandria, Egypt
8Y, 7M Ιωαnnнϲ

6th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
30 05/29/0505 St. John II All his days were calm and peaceful, there was unity between him and St. Severus of Antioch
06/04/0516 YOANNIS II Egypt
10Y, 11M, 24D Ιωαnnнϲ
31 516 St. Dioscorus II All his days were calm and peaceful due to the reign of Emperor Anastasius I The Righteous
10/27/0518 DIOSCORUS II Egypt
2Y
32 518 St. Timothy III – During his papacy, St. Severus of Antioch came to Egypt, fleeing from Emperor Justin I, who was a supporter of the Council of Chalcedon – When both fathers refused to accept the Chalcedonian doctrine by the emperor’s order, they were exiled – After returning from exile outside Egypt, they traveled through its cities and monasteries, confirming the people in the orthodox faith, until they departed in peace
02/20/0536 TIMOTHEOS III Egypt
17Y
33 536 St. Theodosius I – After his ordination Pope, a group heeded the devil and ordained the Archdeacon of Alexandria whose name was called Acacius a patriarch and exiled the Pope – The emperor then brought the Pope to Constantinople to persuade him to accept the Chalcedonian doctrine, but he was not successful, as a result, he exiled the Pope to Upper Egypt for 28 years and appointed another in his place – When the latter arrived in Alexandria, the natives did not accept him, so the emperor closed the churches until they submit to his commands
07/05/0567 THEODOSIUS
30Y Egypt
34 7/25/0567 St. Peter IV – The elites of Alexandria came to the governor and revealed their displeasure for the vacancy of the patriarchal throne, so, he led them to the Monastery of Glass (Deir Al-Zugag) for prayer – They found Father Peter and ordained him Patriarch. He could not dare to come to his throne, so he stayed in the Monastery of the Epiphany, south to the Monastery of Glass near Alexandria
07/02/0576 PETROS IV Egypt
8Y, 10M, 24D Πετροϲ
35 06/26/0576 St. Damian – The previous Pope entrusted him with his secrets, so the all people loved him and presented him to become patriarch after the death of Pope Peter IV – Pope Damian resisted the heresy of Peter III of Callinicum, Patriarch of Antioch, who denied the Holy Trinity – Also resisted the followers of Melitius of Lycopolis (Modern day Asyut) who used to drink wine before officiating the liturgy
06/25/0605 DAMIANOS Syria
29Y

7th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
36 7/9/0605 St. Anastasius – He restored much of what was taken by the Melkites because he was loved for his knowledge, graciousness, and godliness, and he returned many of them to the orthodox faith – The new Patriarch of Antioch worked towards renewing restoring the unity between the churches of Alexandria and Antioch, when he visited Egypt
12/31/0616 ANASTASIUS Alexandria, Egypt
11Y, 6M, 10D
37 616 St. Andronicus The Church experienced great persecutions during his papacy due to the Persian invasion of Egypt, in which many Christians were killed, specifically monks and 80,000 men from Alexandria; this continued until Emperor Heraclius defeated them
01/16/0623 ANDRONICUS Alexandria, Egypt
6Y
38 623 St. Benjamin I – The Arab Conquest of Egypt: before Pope Benjamin I, all the patriarchs of the See of St. Mark resided in Alexandria – During his papacy, Cyrus (Al-Muqawqis) became the Melkite patriarch and the Byzantine prefect of Egypt under Emperor Heraclius, controlling the state and the patriarchate; he persecuted the believers, and arrested Pope Benjamin’s brother, Mina, whom he tortured severely, burned his sides, then drowned him to death
01/16/0662 BENJAMIN Barshüt, Beheira Governorate, Egypt
37Y
39 662 St. Agathon – He was instructed by Pope Benjamin to care for the believers when he was in hiding from Cyrus (Al-Muqawqis) – Was a carpenter by day, and a priest by night – During his time, a Melkite communicated with Yazid Ibn Muawiyah and gave him many riches for a decree appointing him Governor over Egypt, then he persecuted the Pope, asking for a large jizya (Islamic tax), then he decreed to kill the Pope if anyone sees him, so the Pope was in hiding until the governor’s death
10/26/0680 AGATHON Egypt
19Y
40 680 St. John III Pope John III departed on the year 405 of the martyrs (689 A.D.). He was the 40th patriarch of Alexandria. This Holy Father was born in the city of Samannoud of the Gharbia governorate. He became a monk in the monastery of St Macarius in the wilderness of Scetis. Pope Youannes was chosen for the papacy after the departure of Pope Agathon. He faced many hardships, especially from the Chalcedonians. Pope Youannes endured all hardships with humility and patience, praying to the Lord to protect His church.
11/19/1901 YOANNIS III Egypt
9Y Ιωαnnнϲ
41 06/689 St. Isaac – A deacon tried to convince the governor to appoint him a patriarch by giving him money, but he did not accept and agreed to ordain Isaac whom the people chose – Some lied to the governor saying that the Pope had an alliance with the rules of Sudan and Ethiopia against him, so the governor arrested the Pope and would have beheaded him if the truth hadn’t come to light
11/18/692 ISHAAQ El-Borolos, Egypt
3 ½ Y
42 12/19/0692 St. Simeon I – Some wicked people conspired against him and tried to poison him three times, but the Lord rescued him every time; when the son of the Caliph, Abd Al-Aziz Ibn Marwan, learned of this, he ordered to burn those people alive, but the Pope interceded on their behalf – The Pope was accused of ordaining a bishop for India without informing the governor, in which case he would have been tortured and forced to pay jizya (Islamic tax) if it was not for God who revealed that the Melkite Patriarch is the one who did that; the Pope also interceded on his behalf
07/31/0699 SIM’AN Syria
6Y, 7M, 13D

8th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
43 704 St. Alexander II – He became a monk the Monastery of Glass that is west of Alexandria – Due to his knowledge and godliness, he was chosen to be a patriarch – He endured many hardships during his papacy – The governor arrested him and continue to torture him until the believers paid three thousand dinars for his freedom—God removed that governor quickly
02/14/0726 ALEXANDROS II Bana, Egypt
14Y, 9M
44 03/26/0729 St. Cosmas I He considered the rank of patriarch a very dangerous duty, so he never ceased to ask God to take his spirit quickly
06/10/0730 COSMOS I Abu-Sair, Egypt
1Y, 2M, 2D
45 730 St. Theodore I During his days, the Church lived in some time of peace due to the justice of Hisham Ibn Abd Al-Malik, however that peace was replaced by many hardships with the succeeding rulers
02/14/0742 THEODORUS Egypt
12Y
46 09/14/0743 St. Michael I – There was a severe persecution which resulted in the bishops fleeing to the monasteries, leaving their dioceses – The Pope went to Upper Egypt to collect the money that the governor continued to ask for – When the King of Nubia heard about this, he became angry and waged war against Egypt, so the Pope mediated for peace – The Pope healed the daughter of the governor who was afflicted with an unclean spirit – Also, the Pope and the bishops prayed on the Nile to increase its water by three cubits
03/25/0767 MIKHAIL I Egypt
23 ½ Y Μıχαнλ
47 767 St. Mina I Pope Mina I, departed on the year 492 of the martyrs (776 A.D.). He was the 40th patriarch of Alexandria. This Holy Father was born in the city of Samanoud and was raised with a Christian upbringing. When he was older, he became a monk in the monastery of St. Macarius. He was known as Mina. After the departure of Pope Khail (Michael) I, the bishops and the people convened and they unanimously agreed to enthrone the monk Mina for his many virtues and knowledge.
2/14/1902 MENAS Egypt
8Y Μнnα
48 01/24/0777 St. John IV – An altar lot was performed after praying liturgies for three days, and this father was chosen – The patriarch of Antioch communicated to renew the union between the two churches and the Pope welcomed it
01/24/0799 YOANNIS IV Egypt
23Y Ιωαnnнϲ
49 01/26/0799 St. Mark II – Some evil men found dead bodies at a church’s door, thinking that it was the Christians who killed them, they persecuted them – In his days, the Arabs seized Greek islands enslaving many of the women and children and brought them to Alexandria to sell them – The Pope collected the funds needed to free all of them and healed those that needed healing either from sickness or evil spirits
04/30/0819 MARCOS II Alexandria, Egypt
20Y, 2M, 21D Μαρκοϲ

9th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
50 819 St. James – God granted him the ability to perform miracles, including raising a child from the dead – He said to a deacon who insulted him, “You will not see me anymore” The deacon went home, became ill immediately and died – He presented the church’s vessels to the governor instead of money, but the governor returned them because of a miracle that happen during the process of melting those vessels, in which blood was gushing out of them like the blood of a slaughtered sheep
02/21/0830 YAKOVOS Egypt
10Y, 9M, 28D Ιακωвοϲ
51 05/0830 St. Simeon II He lasted on the throne for only seven and a half months and departed in peace
10/13/0830 SIM’AN II Alexandria, Egypt
5 ½ M
52 831 St. Joseph – Two excommunicated bishops wanted to harm him, so they fabricated a case against him to the governor; when the governor discovered their conspiracy and perceived that the Pope had divine grace, he ordered that no one oppose him in ordaining or deposing a bishop – The Chalcedonians (Melkites) also spoke against the Pope and they were the cause of plundering marble from churches, especially the Church of St. Mina in King Mariout
11/02/0849 YOUSAB Menouf. Egypt
19Y
53 11/20/0849 St. Michael II – Unjust governors required large sums of money that forced him to sell the Church’s relics – He wept and prayed to God, saying, “I have no energy for the position I am in” so the Lord accepted his calling and he departed in peace
04/30/0851 MIKHAIL II Egypt
1Y, 4M, 28D Μıχαнλ
54 851 St. Cosmas II – Severe persecutions took place and harsh laws were ordered against Christians – Most of the icons throughout Egypt were shedding tears, and this was considered to be a symbol to the cruelty of the persecution
11/30/0858 COSMOS II Samanoud, Egypt
7 1/2 Y
55 01/08/0859 St. Shenouda I – During the reign of the Caliph Al-Muntasir, Yazid Ibn Abd Allah became the governor of Egypt, he was cruel and imposed on the Pope seven thousand dinars – When Caliph Al-Muatazz Bi-Allah reigned, and he responded to the Pope’s complaint and lifted the injustice – There was no rain in the city of Mariout for three years until the wells dried up, so this father came to the St. Mina Church in Mariout and prayed until it rained
05/02/0880 SHENUTE I Samanoud, Egypt
21Y, 4M, 12D Ϣεnοɤϯ
56 04/25/0880 St. Michael III – One evil person spoke against the Patriarch and lied to Ahmed Ibn Tulun that he had a great wealth, so the governor asked for the churches’ positions since he was preparing for war – When the Pope refused, he arrested him for one year, then he freed him after imposing a fine to be paid in two installments
03/29/0907 MIKHAIL III Egypt
26Y, 11M, 20D Μıχαнλ

10th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
57 910 St. Gabriel I Suffered from internal wars, so he took the advice of the monks of the Sheheet wilderness and practiced self-denial and asceticism for three years, the Lord looked at him and saved him from the temptation
02/28/0920 GHABRI Egypt
11Y
58 02/28/0920 St. Cosmas III He was angry with the Ethiopians since they expelled and exiled the metropolitan he ordained for them who died out of the sufferings of exile, therefore, he did not ordain them another, as well as the four succeeding patriarchs
03/12/0932 COSMOS III Egypt
11Y
59 932 St. Macarius I – He visited his mother after his ordination as a patriarch, and she said to him: “Previously, you were responsible to save only yourself, but now you are responsible for all of your flock.” – These words were before him throughout his life and they were the reason for his righteousness and devotion in completing his duties in all honesty during the twenty years he spent on the throne
04/02/0952 MACARI Egypt
20Y Μακαρi
60 852 St. Theophilus His days were spent in quarrels with priests and bishops, so his end was sorrowful
12/19/0956 THEOPHANES Egypt
4Y
61 956 St. Mina II Pope Mina II departed on the year 691 of the martyrs (947 A.D.), He was the 61st patriarch of the See of St Mark. He was born and raised in a village called Sandala to Christian parents. His parents forced him to marry. He agreed with his wife to live a celibate life. With his wife’s permission, he went into the wilderness of Scetis where he became a monk in the monastery of St. Macarius. He lived a virtuous life.
8/31/1902 MENAS II Egypt
46Y Μнnα
62 11/28/0975 St. Abraham Ebn-Zaraa – In his time, the miracle of moving the Muqattam mountain took place during the reign of Al-Mueizz Li-Din Allah the Fatimid who ruled Egypt as caliph for three years, then ceded the caliphate to his son – It is known to the Copts that he converted to Christianity
12/16/0978 AVRAAM Syria
3Y, 6D
63 979 St. Philotheos He forsook the ascetic life that befits the holiness of his priesthood, so his end was sorrowful
9/29/1902 PHILOTHEOS Egypt
24Y

11th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
64 1004 St. Zacharias – A monk brought several complaints against the Pope to Al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah, so he imprisoned him with ferocious beasts, but they did not harm him – He kept him in prison for three months and when he was freed, he went and lived in the wilderness for nine years – During that time, the people endured many sorrows, then God turned the ruler Al-Hakim away from his oppression, so he allowed the building of churches
11/22/1032 ZACHARIAS Alexandria, Egypt
28Y
65 1032 St. Shenouda II – He experienced hardships from within and without the Church – He used simony to ordain priests and bishops, and his end was sorrowful
11/11/1902 SHENUTE II Egypt
14Y Ϣεnοɤϯ
66 1047 St. Christoldoulos Pope Christodoulos, departed on the year 794 of the martyrs (1077 A.D.). He was the 66th patriarch of Alexandria. He was born and raised in a city called Bora. He became a monk in el-Baramus monastery and was ordained a priest in the following years. He left the monastery to live a solitary life in a cell by the sea shore and he was called the “shut-in”
12/23/1077 EKHRISTODOULOS Egypt
30Y
67 03/18/1078 St. Cyril II George (Guirguis) – Badr Al-Gamali, the caliph’s vizier, granted the Pope funds to renovate the monasteries and churches – Egypt enjoyed peace and tranquility because Badr Al-Gamali was aiming to make Egypt a strong country – The Pope called for education for himself and his people since he was not educated – Some bishops disobeyed him and wanted to depose him, but the dispute ended after Badr Al-Gamali’s intervention
06/19/1092 Egypt
14Y, 2M, 20D KYRILLOS II
68 10/09/1092 St. Michael IV He was the first Coptic patriarch to visit Ethiopia as he was commissioned by Caliph Al-Mustansir to resolve issues surrounding Nile river
06/07/1202 MIKHAIL IV Egypt
9Y, 7M, 17D Μıχαнλ

12th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
69 1102 St. Macarius II The Crusaders attacked Egypt in 1117 A.D., and they reached Ferma and burned it, which had negatively affected the Muslims’ treatment with Christians in Egypt
09/14/1128 MACARI II Egypt
27Y Μακαρi
70 11357 St. Gabriel II – The throne remained vacant for more than two years due to the Copts’ inability to pay the amount required to obtain decree due to the rumor that they had paid money to the foreigners (Crusaders). Churches’ and Copts’ possessions were confiscated, and an order was issued not to employ any Copts in the government, and to oblige them to wear a waistband and not to ride horses – The jizya (Islamic tax) was also doubled – This Pope was the first to order all churches to read the Bible, give sermons, and speak to the believers in church in Arabic
04/18/1145 GHABRI II Cairo, Egypt
14Y, 2M, 2D
71 29 July 1145 – 11 April 1146 St. Michael V He was chosen by an altar lot
29 July 1145 – 11 April 1146 MIKHAIL V Daqadus, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt
8M Μıχαнλ
72 08/25/1147 St. John V – Al-Adil, Caliph Al-Zafir’s vizier, arrested the Pope because he refused to ordain another Metropolitan to Ethiopia instead of the current one. Talaee Ibn Ruzzik, Caliph Al-Faiz’s vizier, hated the Christians and ordered that their turbans should how locks of hair – During the rule of Asad Al-Din Shirkuh, Caliph Al-Aadid’s Vizier, Copts were captured, killed, and sold – During that time, St. Bashnona, who was a monk in the St. Makarious Monastery, was martyred and body burned when he refused to convert to Islam – The Fatimid state was weak in its late days. Security was weak and violence increased especially towards Copts
05/12/1166 YOANNIS V Egypt
18Y, 8M Ιωαnnнϲ
73 1166 St. Mark III Pope Mark III departed on the year 905 of the martyrs (1189 A.D.). He was the 73rd patriarch of Alexandria. His name was Abu el-Farag Ebn Abi el-Saad and he was a deacon. He was of Syrian origin and worked as a merchant. He was well known for his purity, celibacy and piety. He became patriarch in 1166 A.D. He sat on the apostolic throne during the Crusades and his people encountered many hardships during this period. It was a difficult period for his people. He served his people with purity and many prayers. The status of the Coptic people improved when Salah al-Din el-Ayyubi sat in government. As conditions improved, Pope Mark undertook a pastoral tour where he visited his people across many Egyptian regions. Pope Mark sat on the throne of St Mark for 22 years and 7 months. He departed in peace and was buried in the monastery of St Macarius in the wilderness of Scetis.
4/3/1903 MARCOS III Alexandria, Egypt
23Y Μαρκοϲ
74 1189 St. John VI It was said that he was married and when his wife died, he did not want to marry again and lived in isolation – However, his godliness and knowledge gained him preference over all candidates, despite the necessity of being a virgin – The Pope held a council to depose the Metropolitan of Ethiopia for he had abused and blackmailed the people of Ethiopia, and thus he was able to ordain another for them
4/30/1903 YOANNIS VI Egypt
27Y Ιωαnnнϲ

13th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
75 07/30/1235 St. Cyril III Ebn-Loqloq Before him, the papal throne remained vacant for twenty years, during which time many of the bishops who opposed his ordination died – The Caliph agreed to the ordination to use the money in preparation for war, despite the Copts’ opposition and uproar to the ordination – This Pope used simony to ordain priests and bishops, so the synod forced him to retire to one of the monasteries and he remained in isolation until his departure
03/23/1243 Egypt
7Y, 9M KYRILLOS "EBN-LOQLOQ"
76 10/15/1250 St. Athanasius III Paul (Bolis) The papal throne remained vacant for six and a half years – He did everything in his power to reform the church and mend what his predecessor had corrupted, especially the bishops whom ordained through simony – The Pope dealt with them harshly, which was the reason for many to leave Orthodoxy – The vizier Al-Asaad Sharaf Al-Din (Coptic in origin) took double the jizya (Islamic tax) from the Christians
12/10/1261 Egypt
11Y, 1M, 26D ATHANASIUS III
77 01/14/1262:1268 St. John VII Ibn Sa`id as-Sukari He was chosen by an altar lot, but those who opposed his ordinations invalidated the lot and ordained Patriarch John VII (Youannis), and he remained for 7 years, then Pope Gabriel III who was chosen first took the throne but then was removed on the orders of Sultan Baibars and Patriarch John VII took his place, again – Pope Gabriel III departed during the papacy of Pope John VII, so he preceded him in the order of patriarchs – In those days, Christians and Jews were ordered by the Sultanate to dye their turbans blue, and color their means of transportation red – Churches were also shut until the Emperor of Constantinople, Michael VIII, intervention to reopen them
1271:07/24/1274 YOANNIS VII Cairo, Egypt
Ιωαnnнϲ
78 11/03/1268 St. Gabriel III – He was on the throne for 29 years, including the 2 years of Pope Gabriel III papacy. In his days, Al-Zahir ordered a large hole to and gather the Christians and burn them in it – The Patriarch asked for forgiveness on their behalf, so the Sultan ordered that he must pay him fifty thousand dinars, which the Pope spent two years collecting – The bishops then endured many temptations
05/04/1271 Egypt
3Y GHABRI III
79 07/17/1274 St. Theodosius II Christodulus (Abdel Masih) Was imposed on the throne (meaning he was not accepted by the synod) and he liked simony – In his days, a drought and inflation occurred, and the bubonic plague spread in the land due to the low levels the Nile’s water – The rulers persecuted Christians and required them to pay heavy fines causing many to die and many others converted to Islam
01/13/1300 Minyat Bani Khasim, Egypt
26Y THEODOSIUS II

14th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
80 02/26/1300 St. John VIII Youhanna Ben-Ebsal He was the head of the Monastery of Shahran (Currently Monastery of Abba Barsoum the Naked) before he was ordained Patriarch – Severe persecutions occurred against Christians in his days, and many churches were closed in Old Cairo, Cairo, and the provinces – He was the last Pope to reside in the Church of Abee Seifin, and he moved the papal residence to the Church of the Virgin in Haret Zuweila
06/11/1320 YOANNIS VII Bani-Khosaim, Egypt
20Y, 3M, 15D Ιωαnnнϲ
81 10/11/1320 St. John IX – In his days, Christians endured many hardships; some of them were killed, some were burned, and some were forced to wear them blue turbans and clothes – A great fire broke out in Cairo in which some monks were accused, which intensified the violence against the Copts – The judge summoned the Pope at night and inquired of him about the fire, and he realized the accusation was false
04/10/1327 YOANNIS EL NAKADY Nephia-Monufia Governorate, Egypt
6Y, 5M, 15D
82 05/23/1327 St. Benjamin II During his papacy, the governor, Sharaf Al-Din, tortured bishops, priests, monks, nuns, archons, and the people, finally, that governor died a cruel death – In his days, the Emperor of Ethiopia intervened to stop the persecution against the Copts
01/19/1339 Ad-Dimikarat, Egypt
11Y, 8M BENJAMIN II
83 01/14/1340 St. Peter V He was a monk in the monastery of Abou Makar (St. Macarius the Great), and he was chosen to be the Patriarch with the name Peter (Boutros). He was known for his meekness, godliness, and knowledge – In his days, his people suffered greatly because of a judge in a city who had imprisoned a Copt under the pretext that his grandfather was not Christian and wanted to force him to deny the faith – When the Copt refused, the Christians brought him out of prison, so violence arose against all the Copts of the city as many were tortured and even graves were raided, and bodies were burned – The governor was greatly concerned, so he submitted a complaint to the Sultan of Egypt, who removed the judge from his post – He sanctified the Myron oil in the Monastery of St. Macarius the Great with twelve bishops – Another severe hardship affected the Pope and all the people which required all to stay in their homes for a while, until it seemed that they had become extinct – The Pope did not stop praying for his people until God took way these hardships, and the Church enjoyed an atmosphere of calm and comfort that the Pope experienced until he departed in peace
07/21/1348 PETROS V Egypt
8Y, 6M Πετροϲ
84 07/15/1349 St. Mark IV Farag Another phase of hardships: churches were demolished, burned, and raided, the possession of Copts were confiscated and they were forced to dress in blue which is designated for “the people of the dhimma,” and the Pope was arrested and tortured – This continued until the King of Nubia interfered – Most of the Egyptian villages were devastated due to the bubonic plague – The Pope spent the rest of his life among his people, strengthening them with their burden and preserving their faith, accepting those who return to faith, acknowledging their sin, and raising prayers with loving hearts that God would take away this agony from his people; Heaven responded
02/13/1363 MARCOS IV Kaliub, Egypt
14Y, 3M Μαρκοϲ
85 05/12/1363 St. John X Egypt was hit by drought, resulting in a famine that forced people to eat cats and dogs: this lasted for three years – The Pope sanctified the Myron oil
07/26/1369 YOANNIS Damascus, Syria
6Y, 2M Ιωαnnнϲ
86 01/19/1370 St. Gabriel IV Was the Abbot of the Muharraq Monastery – In his days, the Nile flooded greatly that it almost drowned the country – Was a virtuous scholar and an ascetic worshiper – Was buried in El-Hibsh near St. Simon the Tanner
05/11/1378 Egypt
8 years & 4 months. GHABRI IV
87 1378 St. Matthew Was a shepherd in his youth – A woman liked him and tried to seduce him by saying, “I like your eyebrows” so, he did not have any choice but to shave his eyebrows (a wonderful story of purity) – Was a monk in the Muharraq Monastery with the name Matthew (Matta) and when he was chosen to be the Patriarch he was called Al-Miskeen (The Poor) – Some foreigners attacked Alexandria, raided it and raped the women sparking persecution against the Copts – A rumor was said against the Pope that he urged the Emperor of Ethiopia to destroy Mecca, so the sultan ordered to arrest him – When the Pope learned of what is going to happen to him, he interceded the Virgin to take his spirit without shedding of blood that his people may not suffer
01/13/1409 MATTHEOS Bani Ruh, Al-Ashmunain, Egypt
23Y Ματɵɪαϲ

15th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
88 1409 St. Gabriel V During his papacy, the Church suffered greatly from poverty that its treasury was empty, and he lived on the charity of his children – The Ethiopians threatened the Muslim merchants there, which reflected badly on the Church in Egypt – The Pope wrote to them to stop them from treating the merchants thusly, but his request was not answered
11/27/1903 GHABRI V Giza, Egypt
18Y
89 5/11/1427 St. John XI Farag The hardships were so severe on the Church that the Emperor of Ethiopia mediated and threatened the Egyptian Sultanate to cut off the Nile water because of the persecution against the Christians – The Pope was forbidden to communicate with the rulers of Ethiopia and Nubia without the rulers of Egypt being informed
05/17/1452 YOANNIS XI El-Maksa, Cairo, Egypt
24Y, 11M, 23D Ιωαnnнϲ
90 1452 St. Matthew II During his papacy, the four sultans were moderate, and this allowed for reform in the country’s internal affairs – In this era, Egypt returned to ordaining bishops and priests for Ethiopia, and the Pope ordained a new metropolitan for them instead of the one who departed, Bishop Gabriel – This provided an opportunity for the Pope to visit his people in most cities and monasteries, and to sanctify the Myron oil
09/23/1465 MATTHEOS II Egypt
13Y Ματɵɪαϲ
91 1466 St. Gabriel VI He became a monk in the monastery of Saint Anthony and received the ranks until he became its abbot His name was “Gabriel Al-‘arabawi” after his birthplace, El-Araba El-Madfuna – He resided in a cell in the Church of the Virgin in Haret Zuweila all of the period of his papacy
1/13/1904 GHABRI VI Egypt
8Y
92 1477 St. Michael VI His name was Tataho son of the Fr. John and was originally from Samalut and was called Mikhail of Samalot as a monk
1/17/1904 MIKHAIL VI Egypt
1Y
93 1480 St. John XII Was called Hanna Al-Muharraqawi as a monk and was from Neqada – Was chosen and appointed patriarch with the name of Pope John XII
1/22/1904 YOANNIS XII Egypt
3Y Ιωαnnнϲ
94 1484 St. John XIII – Was a virtuous man, a scholar, a gracious, and righteous, and he had many books – The most important incidents during his time: the lack of unity between the Church of Alexandria and the Church of Ethiopia due to the incursions of the rules of Egypt in Ethiopian land – Ordained Bishop Mikhail of Cyprus, a Coptic bishop on Cyprus and Rhodes – After an alliance with the Portuguese sailors, they asked the Pope to nominate a Portuguese to be a metropolitan for them with the approval of the Pope of Rome, and he did so – The Arab tribes residing in Upper Egypt attacked the monasteries of Abba Paula and Abba Anthony and destroyed all that was in them after killing the monks, whenever they needed fuel, the holy books and manuscripts were used as so
3/3/1904 YOANNIS XII Egypt
40Y Ιωαnnнϲ

16th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
95 1525 St. Gabriel VII Roufail The Emperor of Ethiopia at the time, who supported the Portuguese and their church, died – His son took his place and was forced by the Ottoman Islamic forces to return to the jurisdiction of the Church of Alexandria, so he sent an Ethiopian delegation to Pope Gabriel asking him to ordain a new metropolitan – Among his achievements was the renovation of the monasteries of St. Antony, St. Paul the Anchorite, and the Muharraq
07/17/1570 GHABRI VII Near El-Mouharraq Monastery, Egypt
50Y
96 04/17/1571 St. John XIV In his days, Christians wore black turbans, and the Pope of Rome tried to bring the Church of Alexandria and her Pope to submit to the Church of Rome, taking advantage of the Ottoman persecution against the Copts, and the bishops of Egypt stood firm against this desire
09/08/1586 YOANNIS EL-MANFALOUTY Manfalout, Egypt
14Y, 4M, 21D Ιωαnnнϲ
97 06/20/1587 St. Gabriel VIII Shenouda – After he was appointed Patriarch, the Christians disputed and established four other patriarchs and removed him – Returned to his throne during the reign of Sultan Murad III the Ottoman and continued to be the Patriarch – Modified most of the Church’s fasts, then after his departure the Copts returned to the old ways of fasting – At the time, the Copts were at rest since Sultan Murad needed them for jobs, also the Pope of Rome efforts to impose his protection on the Copts of Egypt were renewed
05/17/1603 Meer, Egypt
15Y, 10M, 24D GHABRI VII

17th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
98 1603 St. Mark V The Metropolitan of Damietta allowed his people to practice polygamy, so the Pope excommunicated him – Then the metropolitan and his supporters complained to the governor who took it as an opportunity to humiliate the Christians in their leader, so he brought the Pope and ordered him tortured until he was near death, deposed him, and imprisoned him in the Tower of Alexandria – Then the metropolitan and his supporters appointed a patriarch they knew would allow polygamy – The people of Cairo revolted and met the governor and persuaded him to return the imprisoned patriarch to his throne because he was right, and he did so – The Emperor of Ethiopia was influenced by the Catholic missionaries and proclaimed that his country would adopt their doctrine
6/6/1904 MARCOS Egypt
16Y Μαρκοϲ
99 09/18/1619 St. John XV During his papacy, the Emperor of Ethiopia, who adopted the Catholic doctrine for his country, died, and his son succeeded him who persecuted the Catholics and their followers; Ethiopia remained in conflict for about six years – In the year 1624 AD, a great epidemic occurred in Upper Egypt – It is said that this Pope was poisoned by a man who was intimate with women other than his wife, and that the Pope forbade him from doing so
09/10/1626 YOANNIS EL-MALLAWANY Mallawi, Egypt
9Y, 11M, 22D Ιωαnnнϲ
100 09/07/1631 St. Matthew III Tadros The governor imposed a huge sum of money from him, so he went to Upper Egypt and collected what was required of him – During his papacy, a great inflation occurred throughout Egypt that lasted for two years, in which people ate beasts’ meat; then the Nile flooded and covered all the fields – The Emperor of Ethiopia sent a request for a metropolitan, so the Pope ordained one and was sent to him
04/03/1643 MATTHEOS III Toukh El-Nasarah, El-Monufia, Egypt
14Y, 6M, 23D Ματɵɪαϲ
101 04/20/1646 St. Mark VI Tadros The Pope issued a decree for monks to prevent them from living in the world and to return to their monasteries; some of them became angry – During his papacy, Christians were ordered not to ride horses and wear blue caftans. The Patriarch traveled to Upper Egypt – After him, the throne was vacant for four years, seven months, and sixteen days
04/20/1656 MARCOS VI Bahgourah, Egypt
10Y Μαρκοϲ
102 12/06/1660 St. Matthew IV George (Guirguis) Two groups differed over who two chose for the papacy out of two candidates, so the governor arrested the two and imprisoned them for 40 days, but, finally, they agreed on an altar lot that resulted in this father being chosen – He took advantage of the peace time to visit the widows, the orphans, and the prisoners, and to embrace the monks who were away from the monasteries – In the year 1671 AD, a great epidemic struck Egypt that wiped out many, yet God strengthened this Pope with signs and miracles to protect his children – Also, in his days, the enemy of good would stir up the unbelievers against Christians, and Christ would disperse their counsel and destroy them with the blessing of the Pope’s prayers
08/22/1675 MATTHEOS IV Meer, Ashmonain District, Diocese of Qousqam
15Y, 8M, 10D Ματɵɪαϲ (known as El-Muharaq), Egypt
103 05/05/1776 St. John XVI Ibrahim He was chosen by an altar lot – He rebuilt the Monastery of St. Paul the Anchorite and restored monasticism to it after it had been empty for about a hundred years – In 1701 AD, Christians were persecuted, and churches were closed, but after paying a large fine, they were reopened – He sanctified the Myron oil after 247 years from the last time it was sanctified in which there was 18 patriarchs enthroned – He toured Upper and Lower Egypt and visited and cared from their monasteries and churches – Catholic missionaries began their activities in Upper Egypt by providing aid, opening schools, and offering scholarships. When the Catholics saw their efforts in Egypt failed, they turned to Ethiopia once more
06/17/1718 YOANNIS EL NAKADY Takh El-Nasara the diocese of El-Menoufia, Egypt
42Y, 1M, 11D Ιωαnnнϲ

18th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
104 08/21/1718 St. Peter VI Morgan Was chosen by an altar lot – Visited churches in Upper and Lower Egypt and built many more as it was a time of calm and tranquility. -Confirmed that divorce is only allowed in the case of adultery, and he debated Muslim scholars, so they declared fatwas (Islamic legal opinion) and firmans (royal decrees) against him – On the year of his departure, the bubonic plague and a severe drought struck the country and many people died
04/04/1726 PETROS VI Assiut, Egypt
7Y, 7M, 11D Πετροϲ
105 01/12/1727 St. John XVII Abdel Sayed He was chosen by an altar lot – The anguish on the Copts intensified during his reign, as the tribute was increased, and was even imposed on those who were exempt from it from the monks and priests, and a great cost occurred, followed by an earthquake, and the Catholic missionaries took advantage of the events and established aid centers in Upper Egypt – Osman Bey, a senior Mamluk, took over the reins of affairs in Egypt and was firm, so security was established
04/21/1745 YOANNIS the 17th Mallawi, Egypt
18Y, 3M, 8D Ιωαnnнϲ
106 05/30/1745 St. Mark VII Simeon – Ali Bey Al-Kabir came to restore the Mamluks’ glory. In those days, the Pope endured many tribulations and horrors from his offenders and from his own people – His sermons, papal messages, and ritual books gave joy to the people – The Catholics took the initiative to ordain the first bishop for “The Catholic Coptic people” – The Church Services book appeared for the first time
05/20/1769 MARCOS VIII Klosna, in the district of El Bahnasa, Egypt
23Y, 11M, 20D Μαρκοϲ
107 10/23/1769 St. John XVIII Joseph Al-Moallem Ibrahim El-Gohary was Egypt’s chief of the scribes (senior post in the administration of the Ottoman Empire that is equivalent to a Foreign Minister nowadays) in those days – The Pope endured many hardships from the Ottoman ruler; the treasury of the Patriarchate was confiscated – The Catholics published a book teaching the doctrine of the Council of Chalcedon and distributed it everywhere, so the Pope commissioned Bishop Yousab El-Abbah of Gerga to respond to it; he refuted the book, which made the Pope of Rome regret publishing the book in the East
06/09/1796 YOANNIS XVIII Fayoum, Egypt
26Y, 7M, 16D Ιωαnnнϲ
108 11/30/1904 St. Mark VIII John (Youhanna) The French campaign in Egypt happen in his days – Unfortunately, the Church and the Copts experienced grievances and injustices, such as the burning of the upper and lower churches in Haret El-Roum – He was a scholar who wrote canons concerning the regulations that one should follow in church – His papacy was marked by great men such as: Bishop Yousab El-Abbah of Gerga and Akhmim, Al-Moallem Girgis El-Gohary, Al-Moallem Malati, and General Yacoub
12/21/1809 MARCOS VIII Sohag, Egypt
13Y Μαρκοϲ

19th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
109 12/24/1809 St. Peter VII Mankarius During his papacy, the throne of Nubia and Sudan returned to the See of Alexandria after a separation of five hundred years – When the Nile water level was low, the Pope officiated a liturgy a brought the water of washing the holy utensils to the Nile, and the water level rose. He refused the Russian Tsar’s offer to place the Coptic Church under his protection, which gave him favor with Muhammad Ali Pasha – The Church gained freedom to worship due to the Pope’s good relationship with Muhammad Ali Pasha – The Copts and Ethiopians quarreled over Monastery of the Sultan (Deir El-Sultan) in Jerusalem – The light appeared from the holy tomb in front of Ibrahim Pasha (son of Muhammad Ali Pasha) – Abbas Pasha was told that the Copts allied with the Ethiopians against him, so he ordered the dismissal of Christian government employees, and he exiled the Coptic nobles to Sudan
04/06/1852 BOUTROS "EL-GAWLY" Gawli - Manfalout, Egypt
42Y, 3M, 12D Πετροϲ
110 06/05/1854 St. Cyril IV David (Daoud) Made some reform decisions: the necessity of having the consent and acceptance of the man and the woman before officiating the Holy Crowning; banned marriage for underage girls; declared equality between males and female in inheritance laws; persuaded the government to consider Coptic history; established 12 schools (including a girls’ school) for the common people, and emphasized teaching the Coptic language – Purchased a printing press to publish textbooks and religious books (instead of scripted books) – Said Pasha made conscription (a compulsory military service) for everyone, including Copts, and the Pope welcomed this decision to serve as a justification for taking away the jizya (Islamic tax) – The Pope asked the Emperor of Ethiopia to deport the English missionaries, so they caused a rift between him and Said Pasha who poisoned the Pope and died
01/31/1886 KYRILLOS IV Sawamaa of the district of the city of Girga, Egypt
6Y, 7M, 27D
111 6/15/1861 St. Demetrius II Michael (Mikhail) Ismail Pasha obtained the title of Khedive from the Ottoman Sultan in a decree in exchange for an increase in the the jizya (Islamic tax) – The Pope was invited to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Suez Canal in 1869 AD, and he met with the Ottoman Sultan who granted the Pope a thousand acres of government property for Coptic schools, and the government designated for him a river cruise to visit the cities and churches of Upper Egypt
1/18/1870 DEMITRIUS II Galda, Minya Governorate, Egypt
7Y, 7M, 7D
112 11/1/1874 KYRILLOS V John (Youhanna) Longest-serving Pope in the history of the Coptic Orthodox Church. His papacy included the Urabi Revolt, beginning the British occupation of Egypt that was supported by Khedive Tawfiq in February 1874 AD – Boutros Ghali Pasha obtained an order from Khedive Ismail Pasha to establish the first Coptic General Religious Council in February 1874 – The Pope ordained a Coptic metropolitan for the Ethiopian Empire as well as four Ethiopian bishops who were scholars – Built 13 churches in Cairo, Khartoum, and Giza, and established nine schools in Cairo and Giza. The dispute between the Pope and the Religious Council worsened, in which the council, by convincing Khedive Tawfiq, succeeded in distancing the Patriarch to the Baramous Monastery, however, the Pope returned to the throne by the Khedive’s order through the mediation of some zealous individuals – Egyptian Revolution of 1919 took place, in which the Christians participated in and supported by Pope Kyrillos who he was in contact with Saad Zaghloul Pasha – In his papacy, the Seminary and the Coptic Museum were established, and he ordained 44 bishops – He lasted on the See of St. Mark 53 years, which is the longest period in the history of the Coptic Orthodox Church so far
8/7/2027 Tezment, Beni Suef Governorate, Egypt
52Y, 9M, 6D

20th Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
113 12/16/2028 St. John XIX Was the Metropolitan of Beheira and Monoufia for 42 years before he was appointed Patriarch – He established a theological school in Alexandria and Helwan to teach monks and sent a mission from its students to Athens – Ordained a Coptic metropolitan for the Ethiopian Empire as well as four Ethiopian bishops who were scholars – The Coptic metropolitan was returned to Egypt when a war erupted between Italy and Ethiopia – However, Ethiopia returned to the Coptic Church after Italy’s defeat in World War II
6/21/1942 YOANNIS XIX Dair Tasa, Assiut, Egypt
13Y, 6M, 6D Ιωαnnнϲ
114 2/19/1944 St. Macarius III Issued a historical document aimed at reforming the monasteries and edifying their monks educationally and spiritually – Ordered their abbots and overseers to be held accountable, and this led to a great division between the Holy Synod and the Religious Council – In 1944 AD, the Holy Synod submitted a memorandum to the Pope and the Minister of Justice objecting to the draft of the Legal Status law for non-Muslim, which the Pope supported but the Religious Council opposed it
8/31/1945 MACARI III El-Mahalla El-Kubra, Egypt
1Y, 6M, 13D Μακαρi
115 4/29/1905 St. Joseph II He was the Metropolitan of Girga before becoming Pope, and he was the third enthroned bishop to then become Pope – Despite the Pope’s piety, he was unable to stop the influence of those who sold the ecclesiastical ranks to those unworthy of them – The Pope gave up the Church’s authority to his corrupt secretary (Malik) who sold priestly ranks and imposed money on the people – In 1956, the Holy Synod and the General Religious Council agreed for the first time in the history of the Coptic Church to depose the Pope due to the corruption of those around him – Returned from the monastery after eighth months due to his illness and departed five months later – In the spiral of conflicts, the government abolished the Religious Council’s sessions in applying the Legal Status law, and for the first time the national courts became in charge of such cases
11/14/1956 YOUSAB II Damanhour, Egypt
10Y
116 5/10/1959 St. Cyril VI Azer Youssef Atta He laid the foundation stone for the Monastery of St. Mina in Mariout in 1959 and in the same year appointed the Archbishop of Ethiopia to the rank of Patriarch-Catholicos, and an agreement was made between the churches of Egypt and Ethiopia – During his papacy, service for the churches in the immigration lands of USA, Canada, Australia, and others, began – In 1965 he presided over the Committee of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in Addis Ababa, the first non-Chalcedonian ecumenical synod of these churches held in modern times – In 1967 he sanctified the Myron oil – Built the new Cathedral of St. Mark in the Anba Rewis complex in Cairo – In 1968, the Virgin Mary appeared in her church in Zeitoun, and the relics of St. Mark were returned to Cairo – He performed many miracles with Christians and non-Christians in Egypt and abroad – He is truly the man of prayer and miracles”
H.H. Pope Cyril VI Biography
3/9/1971 KYRILLOS VI Damanhour, Egypt
11Y, 7M, 29D
117 11/14/1971 Pope Shenouda III Nazeer Gayed Roufail During his papacy, through regular pastoral visits, the service grew in the immigration lands (USA, Australia, Europe and Africa) in terms of establishing churches and monasteries/convents, ordaining bishops and priests, and establishing seminaries – He restored the General Religious Council in 1973 – In September 1981, President Sadat issued a decree place the Pope under house arrest in the monastery – In 1985, President Hosni Mubarak released all detainees whom his predecessor, President Sadat, had arrested, including the Pope himself – In the 1990s and the beginning of the third millennium (2000) extremist attacks took place in which the Pope chose to remain silent or retreat to St. Bishoy’s Monastery in Wadi Al-Natrun – Ordained 117 bishops and about 1,000 priests; monasticism flourished and the number of monasteries increased (28 monasteries + 7 convents); the Coptic Church came to have about 550 churches outside Egypt; he established 17 branches to the Seminary; and he sanctified the holy Myron oil seven times – Authored 140 books about spiritualities, doctrine, virtues, contests, and heresies – Received 9 doctoral degrees from European and USA universities – Has received many international honors and awards – On the day of his departure, millions of Copts and Muslims came out bid him farewell
H.H. Pope Shenouda III Biography
3/17/2012 SHENOUDA III Abnub, Asyut Governorate, Egypt
40Y, 4M, 4D Ϣⲉⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲅ̅

21st Century
No Papacy & Apostolic Throne Patriarchs of Alexandria English · Coptic Birth Name & Place Notes
118 11/18/2012 Pope Theodore II Wagih Subhi Baqi Sulayman On November 18th, 2012, H.H. Pope Tawadros II was enthroned in a grand traditional ceremony where he was handed over the papal staff, the cross from the holy altar, and the leadership of priesthood. There were thousands of bishops, priests, clergy members and Christian representatives from all over the world, as well as public figures and governmental authorities at the enthronement.
H.H. Pope Tawadros II Biography
Present TAWADROS II Mansoura, Egypt
2Y Өεοδωροϲ