Beautiful Egypt 134 – «A Strange Plea» – December 6, 2015

   In the previous article, we spoke of Egypt’s proconsuls appointed by Caliph Hisham bin Abdul Malik, namely, al-Horr bin Yusuf, the tax-collector Ubaydullah bin al-Habhab, Hafs bin al-Walid, Abdul Malik bin Rifa’a and his brother al-Walid bin Rifa’a, Abdul Rahman bin Khalid and Handhalah bin Safwan.

Hafs bin al-Walid (124-127 Hijri) (742-745 A.D.)

   Hafs bin al-Walid became proconsul of Egypt for a second time after Handhalah bin Safwan who took over Africa. Hafs was accredited by Caliph Hisham in 124 Hijri. He charged him the affairs of prayer and tax-collection. During his tenure, a famine alighted upon Egypt. Shortly afterward, Hisham died. He was succeeded by al-Walid bin Yazid. He dismissed Hafs from the tax-collection authority, appointing Eissa bin Abu Atta’ in his stead.

   Hafs headed to the Levant to see the Caliph, having deputized Uqbah bin Nu’aym al-Ru’ayni. Upon reaching Damascus, he found that that the caliph was deposed and killed! He was succeeded by Yazid bin al-Walid bin Abdul Malik who ordered Hafs to return to his office. Yet, Yazid died, and be succeeded by his son Ibrahim, then Marawan bin Mohamed who Hafs asked to quit his position. So, he approved and appointed Hassan bin Atahiya in his stead. Thus, Hafs ruled Egypt for about three years.

Caliph al-Walid bin Yazid (125-126 Hijri) (743-744 A.D.)

   He was pledged allegiance to after Hisham’s death. He dismissed Hafs from Egypt’s tax-collection affairs, in spite of the latter’s honesty and fairness. He assigned the post to Eissa bin Abu Atta’ who was cruel and unjust. He treated the Egyptians badly. The people of the Levant and the rest of the provinces rebelled against Caliph al-Walid for his mismanagement and misdemeanor. So profane was he that Taghribirdi wrote, “… At that time, Caliph al-Walid bin Yazid bin Abdul Malik bin Marawan bin al-Hakam bin al-‘As bin Umayyah (aka. the Hashemite, Umayyad, Damascene) died. He was also known as the profane…” He was killed almost fifteen months after his enthronement. The Umayyad State started to get weak for conflicts and schisms had increased during his tenure.

Caliph Yazid bin al-Walid (126 Hijri / 744 A.D.)

   He was known as Yazid al- Naqis (Yazid the decreased) for he cut down the soldiers’ salaries. He was pledged allegiance to after al-Walid’s murder. His tenure was tumultuous. He died by plague, having already restored Hafs to Egypt’s tenure. His caliphate lasted for five months.
At that time Pope Quzman I became patriarch. He was succeeded by Pope Theodorus.

Pope Quzman I, forty-fourth Patriarch

   He became patriarch after Pope Alexandros’ departure. This took place during the tenure of Hisham bin Abdul Malik. He was born in Benabusir, al-Mahalla al-Kobra. He became a monk, taking the name Quzma. He loved retreat and seclusion. He was elected with a consensus, ordained patriarch-against his will- on March 27, 729. Ever since his enthronement, he kept beseeching God to repose his soul quickly, believing that his responsibility as patriarch was great and that he was incapable of handling it and unworthy of such a dignity. According to Iris al-Masri, that patriarch found himself unworthy of that great dignity which was given to him by the clergy and the congregation with God’s grace.

   Also, the tribulations which Christians were facing saddened him immensely: for Hayyan bin Shurayh, Egypt’s tax-collector, asked him that living Christians pay taxes on behalf of the dead. Moreover, that tax was imposed on villages. Hence, each village was to pay a certain amount of money, no matter who had died! In his “Muslim Egypt”, Elias al-Ayouby maintains that due to the Pope’s feeling he was unworthy of that dignity, the sadness that filled his heart, and his inability to pay the “jizya” imposed on the congregation, he kept beseeching God to repose his soul, instead of asking Him the grace of fulfilling his pastoral duties. Amazingly enough, God accepted his prayers. Thus, he was Pope for only fifteen months, after which he departed on June 24, 730 A.D. He was buried in St. Mark’s Cathedral, Alexandria. The days of his papacy passed like summer rain! Thus, the clergy and congregation had to discuss the matter again to choose a new Pope. So, they chose Pope Theodorus.

Pope Theodorus, Forty-fifth Patriarch

   He was ordained patriarch after the departure of Pope Quzman I. This took place during the tenure of Hisham bin Abdul Malik. He was a monk at Tanbura Monastery, Marriott. A saintly monk called You’anness prophesied his papacy. He told him, “Son, mark this: I will depart in the selfsame year of Pope Alexandros’ departure. You will sit on St. Mark’s See, but not after Pope Alexandros, but after his successor.” This did happen, for he was ordained patriarch on June 25, 739 A.D. Pope Theodorus was kind, loving, and pleasant, which was reflected on his face, and the congregation loved him exceedingly.

   In spite of the tribulations that continued through his papacy, the Church grew without clashes or resistance. French Orientalist Gaston Weit maintains that in spite of the rulers’ cruelty and despotism, the Copts never abandoned their religion. Neither did they try to evade paying “jizya” by renouncing Christianity. In fact, about 5000 people of the tribe of al-Qays were brought to inhabit Houf, north-eastern Fustat. Also, each proconsul used to bring about 6000 sentries to inhabit pleasant Egypt. The sovereign thought that, having summoned all those people, he would continue his despotic practice without the least resistance on the people’s part. Yet, this time, the proconsul’s despotism did not only provoke the Copts, but also the Muslims. So, they complained to Caliph Hisham bin Abdul Malik who was fair, and cared for his subjects: be they Muslims or Christians. Thus, he interfered to restore peace to Egypt. God made peace prevail until the Pope’s departure. So, he looked after the congregation and helped them be steadfast in Christian faith. He departed on February 1, 742 A.D., having been patriarch for eleven and a half years. Pope Theodorus was contemporary to Caliphs Hisham bin Abdul Malik, al-Walid bin Yazid, and Yazid bin al-Walid. So was his story. Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.

General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center