“I wished to live a stranger and die a stranger. But let it be the will of God” He desired to become a stranger to the world, unknown to anyone, but God willed that the fragrance of his virtuous life spread throughout the world! He is Pope Kyrillos VI, the 116th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, whose commemoration will be celebrated in a few days throughout Egypt. Coptic Christians commemorate his departure on March 9th.
At the beginning of the last century, Toukh El Nasara in Damanhour witnessed the birth of the child Azer on August 8, 1902. Azer was connected to the church, the clergy, and the monastic fathers who used to visit his father’s house. As the days passed, love of God grew in Azer’s heart until his thoughts were occupied with heavenly life. Despite his success in his work and the testimony of his superiors to his diligence and honesty, the desire for a complete life with God took over his entire being until he yearned to leave the worldly life to achieve what his soul aspired to in monastic life. Indeed, he obeyed the desire of his heart on the morning of July 27, 1927, and headed to the Monastery of St. Mary in Wadi El Natrun, al-Baramous.
On February 25, 1928, he was ordained as a monk in the name of Mina, and then a priest on July 18, 1931. Monk Mina al-Baramousi wasdevoted to life of prayer until he longed for life of solitude. He secluded himself in a cave in the desert, an hour’s walk from the monastery, and then secluded himself in a mill in Old Cairo. Thus, his life became a complete prayer, as he prayed every evening and morning, believing in the power of prayer, until his heart overflowed, saying: “Prayer is capable of everything, for it moves the hand that controls the universe, opens the door of heaven, and grants believers a share in all good things.”
Father Mina the recluse was concerned with serving and caring for others, especially strangers. He built a residence for students and cared for youth and servants, encompassing them with his care and fatherhood. He did not stop caring for the service entrusted to him even after he became Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. He would receive his people, listening to everyone and praying for all, so his meeting would gladden the hearts of his children and fill them with peace.
Then, divine providence chose Father Mina the recluse to bear the responsibility of shepherding the Coptic Orthodox Church at a delicate and difficult time for the country and the church. He was ordained Patriarch under the name Cyril VI on May 10, 1959. The papal life of this saint was not easy; rather, he faced many problems and harassments. However, in his fatherhood, he cared for and was concerned about every soul with love for all, especially those who wronged him, obeying the commandment of the Lord Jesus: “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” His depths were filled with peace and consolation, and God was his fortress and refuge at all times, to the extent that he said: “Nothing under heaven can disturb or trouble me! For I am sheltered in that strong fortress, inside the safe refuge, reassured in the embrace of mercies, possessing a spring of consolation.” He was confident that God, who had chosen the path for him, would never leave him in its midst.
As for the national role of Pope Kyrillos VI, it is engraved in hearts before lines. He cared about all the matters and crises that the nation went through, and his national sense was especially evident after the 1967 aggression, and he began to give the issue of Jerusalem great attention. His papal messages and statements overflowed with patriotism in popular seminars and conferences in which he participated for the sake of Egypt, with a true faith emanating from a heart pulsating with its love. In his first message to his flock, he said: “How needful the human being is of the service of the spirit, in an age where materialism, atheism, apostasy and deviant intellectual trends prevail! How needful people are to see Christ in our lives and to smell His sweet fragrance in us! The Church is faced with a critical duty at this stage to which the world has come today. She is called to promote faith in hearts, to spread virtue, to bring peace and serenity into every weary soul, so that tranquility might abound and joy be multiplied. For the Lord Christ’s mission is to bring the best to human beings — “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10) — the chaste, pure, peaceful, calm and effective life which forms good, fruitful citizens and active members of the Church, who know how to be ever faithful to God, their homeland and the worldwide human community, co-operating with everyone, in a spirit of synergy, brotherhood and selflessness.”
On the morning of Tuesday, March 9, 1971, Saint Pope Kyrillos VI departed from our world, entrusting his flock into the hand of God, and his comforting words echoed in hearts: “Rest assured and do not think too much about any matter. Leave it to God who is in control. “
Stories in Beautiful Egypt are endless
Bishop Ermia General Bishop
President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
العربية
