Beautiful Egypt 162 – «How Can I admit What I Had Denied?» June 26, 2016

   In the previous article, we tackled Egypt’s subordination to the Abbasid caliphate which capital was moved to from Damascus to Kufa. However, this did not last for a long time, as the capital was moved to al-Anbar, until Baghdad was founded. Egypt restored quietude for certain periods of time, which yet was very short-lived due to the short tenure of some proconsuls and the redoubling of taxes imposed on Egyptians and Copts in specific. Pope Khail and Abba Moses (bishop of Usim) played a significant role in negotiating for reducing the strenuous taxes Copts had to pay. Then, we spoke of Abul Abbas Abdullah, the first Abbasid caliph. During his tenure, Egypt was governed by Saleh bin Ali bin Abdullah, the Abbasid, then Abu Oun Abdul Malek bin Yazid who the caliph deposed and re-appointed Saleh bin Ali.

Saleh bin Ali bin Abdullah, the Abbasid (136-137 Hijri) (753-755 A.D.): The Second Tenure

   Saleh bin Ali returned to Egypt leading a great army which he sent to Morocco. He appointed Abu Oun commander of the army. At that time, the caliph died, and Abu Ja’far al-Mansur became caliph. He ordered that the army return from Morocco. So, Abu Oun returned to Egypt, after which he headed to Palestine to fight the Khawarij. He defeated them. Upon reaching Pelusium (Port-said), he met Saleh bin Ali who was heading to Palestine. Once more, Saleh handed over Egypt’s affairs to Abu Oun. He remained in Palestine, then became proconsul of Emesa (Homs) until his death.

Abu Oun bin Abdul Malek bin Yazid (137-141 Hijri) (755-758 A.D.)

   Abu Oun was re-appointed proconsul of Egypt by Saleh bin Ali, the Abbasid. This was approved by Abu Ja’far al-Mansur. Abu Oun remained in office until the caliph dispatched him to Jerusalem. This took place in 141 Hijri (758 A.D.) So, he left Egypt to Akremah and assigned Ata’ bin Shorahbil the tax authority. He was deposed as soon as he reached Jerusalem. Mussa bin Ka’b was appointed in his stead. Thus, he governed Egypt for three and a half years.

   Iris Habib al-Masry, a historian, maintains that, at that time, the See of Antioch was vacant due to political turmoil. So, Isaac, the bishop of Harran asked to take that See over. But he was not entitled to it. Yet, being on very good terms with the caliph, the latter helped him with his power and authority. So much so that he dealt with all who opposed Isaac, killing two bishops. Historians maintain that these two bishops told Isaac, “You are a bishop, a dignity you had acquired. Thus, you have to abide by the apostolic laws that decree that a bishop should never leave his bishopric and go to another. Likewise, Christ’s apostles prohibited the acquisition of the priesthood dignity from a king. Do you not know that whoever attempts this should be excommunicated?”

   Yet, Isaac clung to his desire. After becoming patriarch of Antioch, he tried to gain the Pope of Alexandria’s support. So, he sent a message to Pope Khail with two bishops, requesting communion, threatening him to tell the caliph in case of his refusal. When Isaac’s messengers reached Egypt, they hurried to Abu Oun and told him about the message. So, he summoned Pope Khail and let him know its content, asking him to comply with Isaac’s fancy lest he would lose his life, though the proconsul never compelled the Pope to do anything.

   Pope Khail asked the proconsul to wait for three days that he might assemble the bishops and seek their input. After spending a month in discussions, the Pope sent a message which content is refusing communion. Both Ibn al-Muqaffa’ and Iris Habib al-Masri maintain that the exact wording of the Pope message was, “Neither swords, nor fire, nor lions, nor exile… None of these scares me! I will never do anything unlawful. I will not excommunicate myself by penning such an agreement. Our honorable fathers excommunicated whoever takes priesthood from a king. In the days of patriarch John, the bishops wrote, telling me that any metropolitan would be excommunicated if he took over after him. I signed this. How come I excommunicate myself now? How come I allow today what I forbade yesterday? How come I admit what I had denied? Our holy fathers had prohibited such a thing.”

   As soon as the bishops received the Pope’s answer, they headed to the proconsul, asking him to make the Pope go with them to Harran to meet the caliph. The proconsul tried to persuade the Pope to accept this, lest his life be endangered. Yet, Pope Khail clung to his opinion. While preparing to travel to Harran, accompanied by Abba Moses and Abba Theodosius, bishop of Babylon, the Pope got to know that Isaac died. So, they did not leave the country.

   Ibn al-Muqaffa’ maintains that at that time, the Nile flood was scant. So, on the feast of the holy Cross, Pope Khail, the bishops and the congregation stood at the bank and prayed for several hours, beseeching God’s mercy. So, the water rose high. Then, the proconsul asked Abba Moses to take the Copts of Fustat and pray again for the Nile. So, they kept praying at the bank all day long. That night, the water rose three cubits high! This is why Abu Oun sympathized with the Copts and reduced the taxes imposed on them.

   Egypt was peaceful during the last three years of Pope Khail’s papacy. Indeed, he endured lots of pain and persecution during his papacy that lasted for twenty-three and a half years. Yet, he was honest and faithful. He departed in peace.

   Abba Moses continued to fast and pray. He only met the congregation on Saturdays and Sundays. During these meetings, he would teach them how to be loving, merciful and forgiving. One day, a man came, telling him that his neighbor stole some of his crops and buried them in order to eat them later, for a horrible costliness had struck the country at that time. So, Abba Moses told him not to face evil with evil, but with benevolence, as per the commandment. The man obeyed. So, God blessed his property. Thus, Abba Moses led a pure, holy life, accompanying Pope Khail, enduring pains and tribulations with him, and taking good care of the congregation. Finally, he got sick and knew he would depart. So, he assembled his congregation, blessed them, then departed in peace. So was the story… Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center