In the previous article entitled, “Costliness and Turmoil”, we spoke of Pope Jacob, the 50th patriarch (819-830 A.D.) who witnessed a hard time due to the wars and turmoil Egypt and her people had gone through, especially the era during which war between Egyptians and Andalusians grew fiercer. At the beginning of his papacy, Pope Jacob wrote an article against the heretics in which he excommunicated them. He constantly cared about educating and strengthening his congregation’s adherence to the Orthodox creed which had been passed on to the first Church by Christ, the apostles, and the fathers, as well as accredited by the three ecumenical councils. He was on quite good terms with the Church of Antioch.
At that time also, the al-Jarawi monopolized wheat, which brought about a great costliness, and the price of wheat rose immensely throughout Egypt. This killed a lot of people. After al-Jarawi had been killed, his son Ali took over. Yet, he did not behave in the same way. Rather, he was just, which relieved many people. Also a great prosperity was brought about and the hardship was a bit alleviated.
Care and Pastorship
Pope Jacob cared about the entirety of the congregation, including the monks. After monastic life had been restored to Sceti Desert (having witnessed great desolation during Pope Mark II’s tenure), Pope Jacob built cells and churches there. Also, realizing that St. Shenouda’s Church could no longer accommodate the increasing number of monks, he started building a church that bore St. Makarius’ name.
Likewise, Pope Jacob paid several pastoral visits to Upper Egypt in order to strengthen his children in the correct teachings. In fact, God granted the Pope lots of talents due to his righteousness. So much so that he worked several healing miracles to which lots of people did testify. Among them was that which took place with Maqar of Nabaroh who was a charitable man who was quite generous to the needy. It came to pass that he wanted to see the patriarch and invited him to his place in order to take his blessing. The Pope consented; so Maqar was quite pleased, made a feast, and offered a lot of charity. While everybody was happy, Maqar’s son got sick and died! Everybody, except the Pope, got distressed. He asked Maqar to bring him the boy. He prayed for him until he came back to life. The father rejoiced and gave more charity. He also built a church in Jerusalem known as the Magdalenes’.
A Good Reputation
The patriarch’s good reputation spread in the other countries. So much so that patriarch Dionysius of Antioch, aka., the ninth-century sage, yearned to see him. Yet, the wars that Egypt witnessed for about fourteen years prevented him. However, he came to Egypt eventually during the tenure of Abdullah bin Tahir (211-212 Hijri) (826-827 A.D.) to complain to him his brother’s injustice in Edessa which is also known as Urha, located in Upper Mesopotamia. In effect, Abdullah sent his brother a letter, warning him from attacking churches and demanding that he treat Christians well and justly.
Historian Iris Habib al-Masry writes, “… Bin Tahir gave him a letter to his brother in which he advised him not to attack churches and encouraged him to treat Christians well. He also showed him how he gave Copts the freedom to build churches and handle their own legal and administrative affairs in accordance with their creed.” In fact, Abdullah bin Tahir was just, which is why bin al-Muqafa’ writes, “He was a charitable, merciful man who loved justice and detested injustice. In effect, God made the disobedient succumb to him and brought about the Andalusians’ defeat. Bin Tahir did settle down in Egypt.” Thus, peace and justice were reaffirmed by Abdullah bin Tahir and other proconsuls, and the country remained calm for a while.
The patriarch of Antioch visited Egypt twice: First, when he met Abdullah bin Tahir, the proconsul; second, when he visited Pope Jacob. The pope and congregation received him warmly at San, Sharqia. After his return, the patriarch said the following about the Pope and Copts, “The patriarch and bishops are humble, virtuous, love and awe God with all their hearts. They were quite kind and generous to us during our stay. We do thank them cordially.” Likewise, he spoke of Pope Jacob’s holiness, chastity, and awe, saying, “We saw what we have heard. I believe I saw a person who is so precious to God that he can intercede for Egypt.”
Pope Jacob was in the habit of praying all night and abstaining before he ordained bishops that God might reveal their worth and toil to him. During his papacy, one of Upper Egypt’s bishops departed. So, the city’s congregation sent him someone to ordain bishop. Yet, in fear lest the Pope not ordain him, the man asked the tax-collector to intervene!
He was called Elijah bin Yazid. He bribed him in order to compel the patriarch to ordain him. But, the patriarch would not violate the church’s laws. Yet, the bishops intervened lest tribulation alight on the church. However, that man died before reaching his diocese. Likewise, the Pope cared for the remembrance of his predecessors, from St. Mark the apostle to Pope Mark, his godfather.
Shortly before his departure, Pope Jacob got a bit sick. He reposed on Amshir 546 A.M. (830 A.D.), leaving the world’s pains, after a ten-year-and-eight-month-papacy. He was succeeded by Pope Simon.
Pope Simon (830 A.D.)
He is the fifty-first patriarch. He was a monk, deacon, as well as a disciple of Pope Jacob’s. He resided at the patriarch’s cell. Ever since his youth, he was brought up with Pope Mark II, and remained with Pope Jacob. He was known for his love for everybody and zeal on the Orthodox creed. Shortly after the departure of Pope Jacob, he was chosen patriarch in his stead and ordained patriarch. Yet, his papacy did not last long, as he departed after a few months which some historians maintain were seven, while others assert were just five and a half.
He continued to suffer from gout until his departure. Historians consent that his papacy was one of peace and quietude. Yet, his departure marked the start of a turbulent era which lasted for two years until the enthronement of Pope Youssab, the fifty-second patriarch. Such stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
