Beautiful Egypt 219 – Tears and Blood – August 20, 2017

In the previous article, we tackled the tenure of Yazid bin Abdullah who was contemporary with four caliphs, namely, al-Mutawakil, al-Muntasir, al-Musta’in, and al-Mu’taz. Then, we started tackling the conditions of the Coptic Church during that era and Pope Khail II’s tenure. He was the fifty-third patriarch who departed quite quickly, having been Pope for about one year and five months. He was succeeded by Pope Quzman II.

Pope Quzman II (aka. Quzma) (851-859 A.D.)

He was the fifty-fourth patriarch. Born in Sammanud, he chose monastic life in order to worship God in solitude. Hence, he became a monk at St. Makarius’ Monastery, Natrun Valley. When Pope Khail II departed, bishops and elders assembled to discuss the choice of a new patriarch. They unanimously agreed to choose the monk Quzma for this and ordained him. This was during al-Mutawakil’s tenure. The papal residence was in Alexandria, then was moved to Damira, then Danusher.

This movement was due to the fact that when St. Mina’s feast approached, Pope Quzman II and the congregation assembled to give alms. Yet, some gangsters hid there and started making fuss, only to lead to the death of one of them. When the proconsul of Alexandria Ahmed bin Dinar was informed, he arrested the Pope and tortured him in order to take all the alms he had been given, after which he had him house-arrested in Alexandria.

When the news reached two Copt aristocrats, namely, Maqara bin Yusuf, a worthy man at court, and Ibrahim bin Severus who was in charge of the royal treasury (bayt al-mal), both hurried to the proconsul of the capital and asked him to summon Pope Quzman II to the city for taxation issues. This was fulfilled. Thus, the Pope left Alexandria and went to Damira, eastern Cairo.

Yet, this peaceful time did not last, as Pope Quzman II’s tenure witnessed severe persecution and more unjust laws against Christians. Late Father Manasseh Youhanna writes in “The History of the Coptic Church” (Tarikh al-Kanisa al-Qeptiya), “Four years later, they (Christians) were ordered to wear two woolen shawls on their cloaks. The Caliph spread the word everywhere, thus, humiliating Copts exceedingly. Numerous Copts were converted to Islam, whereas those who did not could not show their creed, and should they assemble for prayer, they would do it unobtrusively…” At certain points of time, Copts were quite upset with these orders. So, bishops would strive to carry them out for the country’s peace and sparing blood.

Then, harsher orders were issued materializing in not assigning Copts government posts, which is why many were dismissed. In effect, many families became destitute. This was followed by prohibiting funerary rites and church’s prayers. Also, all vineyards were uprooted in order to have Masses cancelled. Historians maintain that these orders were carried out so meticulously that it was impossible to find grapes anywhere in Egypt! So, priests had grapes brought from other places.

Grapes were dried, then put in water and squeezed before fermenting in order to conduct prayers. It came to pass that when the Romans attacked Damietta Christians had to undergo more tribulations, as the proconsul thought they supported the Romans. So, he claimed huge sums of money that they could not afford. Also, he closed down many churches, except for one in al-Fustat and Babylon.

As such, Pope Quzman II was deeply saddened, but never stopped shepherding his congregation or strengthening the faithful enthusiastically. The Church’s history books include accounts of wonderful phenomena that occurred at that time, such as blood coming out of St. Mary’s icon at St. Severus Church in the wilderness, and tears gushing out from several icons in the entirety of Egypt.

Likewise, during Pope Quzman’s tenure, the “Byzantine Iconoclasm” started: whereby Caesar ordered that all icons be pulled down. So, Pope Quzman sent him a message, arguing with him, until he persuaded him he was wrong. So, Caesar changed his mind and ordered that icons be restored.

Pope Quzman II departed after seven years and a few months. Historians argued about them: some said they were four, and others said six or seven. He was succeeded by Pope Shenouda I.

Pope Shenouda I (859-880 A.D.)

Pope Shenouda I was the fifty-fifth patriarch. He was born at al-Batanoun, in al-Thalathin Rabwa village. He became a monk at St. Makarius’ Monastery, Natrun Valley, and was given the name Shenouda. He was a pious monk and a good scholar, which is why he was made pastor of the monastery’s church. It came to pass that after Pope Quzman II’s departure, bishops did not settle on his successor. Yet, they were soon to agree unanimously on choosing father Shenouda patriarch.

A miracle happened then. Father Shenouda of St. Makarius’ Monastery entered the church while the priest was praying, “Worthy and just!|” So, the congregation rejoiced at his coming, counting the words a heavenly recommendation. Thus, he was chosen patriarch. This was during al-Mutawakil’s tenure.

Pope Shenouda I underwent lots of internal and external tribulations. Yet, he endured them patiently, and never ceased warning his flock from heresies and heterodoxies.

Internal Tribulations

No sooner had Pope Shenouda I become patriarch than he started taking care of and educating his congregation. So, he started refuting heresies. For example, he guided the people of Puchansa, a village in Marriott, to the correct faith, protecting them from falling into the acceptance of the heresies of Apollinaris and Eutyches. He also convinced the Christians at al-Balyana, who disobeyed their bishops, that Sabellius’ and Photios were heretics, thus, restoring them to the correct path. This took place while visiting Upper Egypt’s congregation. What stories! Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center