Beautiful Egypt 135 – «Plague and Death» – December, 20, 2015

   In the previous article, we spoke of Pope Theodorus who was contemporary to Hisham bin Abdul Malik, al-Walid bin Yazid and Yazid bin al-Walid. After the Pope’s departure, St. Mark’s See remained vacant due to the persecutions that the Copts were going through. As we mentioned beforehand, Egypt was full of tumult due to Ubaydullah bin al-Habhab’s injustice and cruelty in collecting taxes. He imposed more taxes on Egyptians. So, they rebelled and complained to the caliph who deposed him and appointed his son al-Qassim in his stead.

   Al-Qassim started peacefully. Yet, peace did not last, for he neglected the caliph’s advice and started using violence. His cruelty showed itself after Pope Theodorus had departed. At that time, a plague alighted upon Egypt; the famine continued. So al-Qassim, instead of being lenient, increased the “jizya” without the least sympathy for the poor. Even worse, he used to have those who could not pay whipped publicly!

   In effect, neither the clergy nor the congregation could choose a new Pope: for they lacked in security and were busy with the congregation who had been suffering from poverty, disease, and injustice. St. Mark’s See remained vacant for three years until the bishops went to al-Qassim, asking his permission to choose a new patriarch. At that time, he was rushing to meet the caliph. So, they met him in Belbeis; but he declined their request. Abba Theodorus, bishop of Babylon got sad. But Abba Moses, bishop of Useem, told him, “Forgive me, father. Should al-Qassim return to Egypt, then God would not have made me His mouthpiece.” This did happen, for al-Qassim was deposed. The Chalcedonians used the clash for their interest, assembled and brought three people to choose a patriarch from among them. So, they chose a tailor called Quzman, collected money and gave it to al-Qassim before his leaving that he might decree ordaining this new patriarch. They did so, showing pride that they had precedence over the Orthodox.

   What made matters worse was the clash that took place between the priests in Alexandria and the rest of Egypt concerning choosing a patriarch. The Holy Synod had assembled to choose a patriarch. Then they went to the proconsul who told them, “If you choose one, show him to me.” The bishops and priests of Alexandria, as well as the elites continued their talks for ten days. One member of the congregation suggested a name, saying, “Choosing the patriarch is the congregation’s right, while ordaining him is bishops’ right.” The bishop of Fayyum answered, “You have the right to choose any person. Yet, should we not find him suitable, we will not ordain him.” Thus, a great clash happened. So, they carried Abba Moses on a log, as he was quite ill and also summoned Abba Botros, bishop of Tarnut.

   The clash increased for they did not agree on a certain person. After several discussions, they settled on priest Khail of St. Makar’s Monastery. Then they went to the proconsul who approved of him and wrote to the elders of Hebib Valley to deliver priest Khail to be ordained patriarch. Yet, God made them meet this pious priest with a group of monks on their way to the proconsul to ask him alleviate the injustice imposed on priests, especially that they were requested to pay a heavy fine upon ordaining a new patriarch. They returned to the proconsul’s palace with priest Khail. The proconsul approved of him. He became Pope Khail I, the forty-sixth patriarch. After his ordinance, rain fell after a two-year drought. This was a good sign for the congregation and one of relief for the patriarch. At that time, Ibrahim succeeded his brother Yazid bin al-Walid as caliph. But, peace did not last for long.

Caliph Ibrahim bin al-Walid (126-127 Hirji) (744 A.D.)

   The people of Damascus pledged allegiance to him on the selfsame day of his brother’s death. His tenure lasted for a short time. Yazid had two sons, one of whom was heir apparent. But Ibrahim arrested both and killed them. At that time, the State was in turmoil. The people of Homs refused to pledge allegiance to Ibrahim. So he besieged the city to compel people to do so. As Marawan bin Mohammed was striving to be caliph, he prepared armies and entered Homs. Its people pledged allegiance to him, after which he headed to Damascus, fought Ibrahim and his troops at Ain al-Hor and emerged victorious. He conquered Damascus, and all its people pledged allegiance to him. Ibrahim abdicated after a sixty-nine-day caliphate. Yet, some historians maintain that it lasted for four months.

Caliph Marawan bin Mohammed (127-132 Hijri) (744-750 A.D.)

   He was the last Umayyad caliph. Beforehand, he had been ruler of Armenia and Azerbaijan, having been appointed by Caliph Hisham bin Abdul Malik in this post in 114 Hijri/732 A.D. Marawan conquered several countries. His tenure was full of clashes and schisms. The Levant was afflicted by a plague called the “Raven Plague” which killed many people. In 131 Hijri/749 A.D. the Levant was struck by an earthquake which also killed lots of people. Taghribirdi writes, “Terrible earthquakes shook the Levant, destroyed Jerusalem and killed the tribe of Shaddad bin Aws, along with many others. The people headed to the desert and stayed there for forty days… In the selfsame year, the Levant was afflicted by a terrible plague which also killed lots of people. So much so that seventy-one thousand people were killed in one day.” Al-Mada’ini writes, “One thousand funerals were held every day.” Hafs, the proconsul of Egypt asked the caliph to dismiss him from his post, which the latter approved of. He appointed Hassan bin Atahiya in his stead.

Hassan bin Atahiya (127 Hijri / 745 A.D.)

   Marawan bin Mohammed appointed him proconsul of Egypt. At that time, he was in the Levant. So, he sent a message to Bin al-Nu’aym to take over until he arrived. Hafs handed over Egypt’s affairs to bin al-Nu’aym until Hassan’s arrival. Hassan, however, ruled Egypt for sixteen days! He treated the Egyptians badly and reduced soldiers’ pay. So, they rebelled against him and Eissa bin Abu Atta’, the tax-collector, appointing Hafs bin al-Walid for a third time. After being ousted from Egypt, Hassan headed to the caliph to tell him what had happened.

Hafs bin al-Walid (127-128 Hijri) (745-746 A.D.)

   Hafs bin al-Walid was compelled to take over Egypt’s affairs for a third time. Two months later, Handhalah bin Safwan came from Africa to Egypt. He lived in Giza. Then Marawan bin Mohammed appointed him proconsul of Egypt. But the Egyptians rejected him, prevented him from residing in Fustat after expelling him from Giza. They fought and defeated him. Thus, Hafs remained in office. The caliph ignored Egypt until the end of 127 Hijri / 745 A.D. By the beginning of 128 Hijri / 746 A.D. he deposed Hafs, appointing Hawthara bin Suhayl in his stead. The latter killed Hafs and, thus,… Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center