Last article “Our Portion” tackled Saint Pope Kyrillos VI, and his great love for God that he left the world, seeking the life of the pure angels, in fasting, prayers, and bonding with God, always reiterating: “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” His whole life was a song of love for God. That love abounded in the life of Saint “Pope Kyrillos VI”.
Lover of Saints
Saint Pope Kyrillos VI grew up in a family that adheres to the teachings of the Church, perseveres in prayers and fasts, and loves the saints. Mr. Hanna Youssef, brother of Pope Kyrillos VI, mentioned: “Our family pleasure was an evening in which the children gathered around their father, who read them the Bible and told them the hagiographies of the saints… The hagiographies of the saints were sweet in their mouths, and their pictures that fill the corners of the house wereset before their eyes, so they sanctified them and kept their feast dates, celebrating them either in the church or at home. They were keen to visit the Church of Saint Virgin Mary in their town of Toukh al-Nasara on 21stof Baoona each year, as well as her church in the town of Atf in Beheira on 15thof Mesra, in addition to the feast of the great martyr St. George.” However, the feast of Saint Mina the Wonder-Worker had a special place in the hearts of the family; it was one of the dearestfeasts to the heart of Azer (Pope Kyrillos VI). The family used to visit Ibyarin Gharbiya, spending a week in the monastery of Saint Mina; these visits had accumulated deep intense love that connected Martyr Saint Mina and Azer along the latter’s life journey.
When ordained a monk, Azer was given the name Mina, so he became Monk Mina al-Baramousy, who later chose the life of solitude and built a church in Zahraa of Ancient Cairo, naming it after Martyr Saint Mina. In addition, he transcribed the hagiography of the martyr in his own handwriting. After Monk Archpriest Mina the Reclusebecame patriarch, he built the monastery of Saint Mina in Marriot;it came in a number of his letters that he had desired to prepare this monastery to live in it for the rest of his life. Monk Archpriest Raphael Ava Mina, a disciple of Saint Pope Kyrillos VI, states: “When he was compelled to leave the mill, he built a church in Ancient Cairo named after Saint Mina. However, this was not enough to satisfy the pope’s love for his intercessor Saint Mina, so he dearly loved to live in his premises in Marriot, so he sent to the Antiquities Authority, requesting a permit to live in a room under the ancient church of Saint Mina. He waited for a long time, not ceasing to send asking for haste, until the approval came after the lot chose him a patriarch. This was a beautiful glad tidings and a heavenly declaration with significance that the Pope realized… he would not reside in a room he insisted on having while he was a monk, but rather he would restore the whole region after he became the Pope of Alexandria. In 1959, Pope Kyrollos VI laid the foundation stone for the Monastery of Saint Mina the Wonder-Worker, marking the beginning of construction which lasted for years. The Pope was keen to follow up the progress of work until being fulfilled.
The Pope lovedMartyr Saint Mina so dearly; his love was described as follows: “He kept for Saint Mina such love that filled his emotions… He found pleasure in uttering the name of Saint Mina. He maintained a personal relationship with Saint Mina, he used to talk about him as if he was talking about someone with whom he maintained a strong relationship of love. Several churches have altars named after Saint Mina, and many churches are built in the name of Saint Mina. He took him as an intercessor; therefore, he wished to live in this monastery for the rest of his life… I read letters that he wrote when he was Father Mina the Reclusein which he was asking to prepare this monastery for him to live there for the rest of his life.” Saint Mina supported him and performed many miracles and wonders with him. In his monastery, Pope Kyrillos VI found solace; he often went there shouldering intractable concerns and problems, but after few days only, the difficulties were overcome and the problems were solved!! His last will was to be buried in the monastery of Saint Mina, and thus, they have never been apart. And… Stories about beautiful Egypt never end!
The General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
العربية
