Beautiful Egypt 150 – «Indescribable Atrocities» April 3, 2016

   We resume tackling the history of Egypt. Previously, we spoke about proconsuls Hawtharah bin Suhayl and Al-Mughira bin Ubayd Allah whose tenure lasted for ten months, then he died. We also spoke of Abdul Malik bin Marawan bin Mussa who became proconsul during the tenure of caliph Marawan bin Mohammed, the last Umayyad caliph. Afterwards, we dealt with the conflict within the Umayyad State political system, which led to its downfall and the beginning of the Abbasid State which rebellion was called “The Persians’ rebellion against the Arabs”.

   In a previous article, we mentioned that political conflicts mark the beginning of the downfall of any regime to be replaced by another. This is a lesson presented by history. In fact, this is what happened with the Umayyad State: whereby conflicts led to its enfeeblement, giving a chance to the Abbasid State to flourish. For example, the clashes between Marawan bin Mohammed and Ibrahim bin Yazid led to seditions between the tribes of Mudar and the Yemenites of the Levant who supported the Abbasid calling. Likewise, seditions and rebellions broke out against Marawan everywhere.

   At that time, Abu Muslim of Khorasan led the Abbasid calling in Khorasan, an extensive land located to the east of Iran, western India. Southern and south eastern Khorasan, there lies the Persian desert. Before the Abbasid State made its debut, Ibrahim al-Imam, promoter of the Abbasid calling, brother of caliphs Abu al-Abbas and Al-Mansur (aka. Abu Ishaq), sent a letter with Abu Muslim of Khorasan demanding his supporters’ allegiance. No sooner had this call appeared in 746 in Khorasan than Arab tribes started fighting Abu Muslim. Yet, he succeeded. Then he conquered Merv in 747, after its proconsul Nasr bin Sayyar had fled. By the beginning of 748, Abu Muslim was able to control the entirety of Khorasan, defeating the troops sent by the Umayyad caliph Mohammed bin Marawan. Then he sent an army led by Qahtaba to conquer Iraq. In 749, one state receded, while the other made its debut. In fact, the Abbasid calling extended in the East, after people had pledged allegiance to Abu al-Abbas Abdullah bin Mohammed, the new caliph. In the north, al-Hassan conquered Kufa where Abu al-Abbas was enthroned caliph. Thus, the Abbasids conquered one city after another. Then the Umayyad army, led by caliph Marawan, met the Abbasid army led Abdullah and Saleh bin Ali near the Great Zab. Marawan was defeated. He fled to Egypt, but was followed by the Abbasid army. As we mentioned, his sentries committed indescribable atrocities in Upper Egypt. Marawan arrested Pope Khail I once more.

   Pope Khail I, the forty-sixth patriarch of St. Mark’s See, was chosen during the tenure of caliph Hisham bin Abdul Malik. He was given trouble by some proconsuls, while he won the favor of others. Abba Moses, bishop of Usim, accompanied Pope Khail all the time, especially in tribulations.

   During the tenure of caliph Marawan bin Mohammed, the Melchites asked him to give them St. Mina’s church in Mariott, claiming that it belonged to them, not the Copts. So, the caliph summoned Pope Khail to come and meet the Melchites’ patriarch that he might hear the story from both sides. Pope Khail hurried to Fustat, accompanied by Abba Moses and Abba Theodorus, bishop of Babylon, along with a number of priests and chiefs. They tackled the issue before the caliph.

   Discussions endured for days, which made the caliph ask both parties to present their papers and documents that he might settle the matter.

   Pope Khail wrote a report in which he proved the Coptic Orthodox Church’s ownership and presented it to Eissa, head of the royal court. The Melchites only presented a simple report. Yet, the head of the royal court neglected the matter, as he wanted money. Chalcedonians won his favor as they offered him presents. He was about to give a verdict in their favor. But God intervened, prohibiting him from making any decision until he was deposed. He was replaced by Abu al-Hussein who was the son of a great judge. He was famous for his justice and wisdom.

   Iris Habib al-Masri comments on the Pope’s encounter with Abu al-Hussein, saying that when the Abu al-Hussein asked the Pope to swear that the Church belonged to him and to his predecessors, the Pope answered, “My religion forbids me from swearing, and commands me to say the truth, no matter what the results will be.” Abu al-Hussein asked the Chalcedonian the same question. He replied he was ready to swear. Abu al-Hussein shook his head scornfully. Then he asked Pope Khail if he had any evidence that proved his ownership of the church. The Pope answered that this church was founded by Pope Theophilus. It was decorated with twelve pillars, each of which had his name engraved on it. Then came Pope Timothy who continued building the church. His name was engraved on one of its walls. The Pope ended his words by saying, “My evidence is given by my great predecessors.” No sooner had Abu al-Hussein heard the Pope’s words than he sent his messengers to make sure of their genuineness. When the messengers returned, they acknowledged the truthfulness of the Pope’s words. The church was delivered to Pope Khail.

   Yet, peaceful times were short. The Umayyad princes’ clash to seize the caliphate, in addition to the rebellions that faced Marawan, resulted in Marawan’s becoming very despotic. He sent a message to the proconsul of Egypt, demanding that taxes be increased so that Egyptians might become too weak to rebel. In effect, the proconsul imposed more taxed on Egyptians, especially Copts. This made bishops flee to monasteries. So, the Pope assembled them and asked them to stay at their dioceses, excommunicating whoever disobeyed.

   Proconsul Abdul Malik bin Marawan arrested Pope Khail and ordered him to pay a large sum of money, which he could not do. So, the proconsul ordered that the Pope be put to death. Father Manasseh Youhanna writes, “He ordered that the Pope be killed, his legs be tied to a great log, and his neck fastened to a heavy iron chain!”

   Abba Moses, Abba Tadros, bishop of Egypt, and others accompanied the Pope. All of them were imprisoned in a dark room engraved in rocks. Sun rays never reached it. The Pope used to pray to the sick prisoners who sought his blessing, and they recovered. Likewise, he used to advise sinners to repent. Many sinners repented. Aftera while, the proconsul released the Pope who asked him to allow him to go to Upper Egypt in order to collect the required money. The proconsul gave him permission. During his journey, the Pope collected as much money as he could, for the people suffered from taxes. Upon his return, the Pope paid the money he had collected. But the proconsul was not satisfied. So, he imprisoned the Pope once more. The King of Nubba got angry, and led his army to Egypt. This made the proconsul release the Pope, asking his intercession with the Nubian king. This was followed by the Popes’ curing the proconsul’s daughter, which improved the relations between them. So was the story… Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center