Pope Cyril II of Alexandria
Encyclopedia
Pope Cyril II of Alexandria was the Coptic
Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
(1078–1092).
Patriarch Cyril attempted to ordain a properly consecrated bishop
to be the new Abuna
of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, but Badr al-Jamali, the Vizir of Caliph
Al-Mustansir
, forced him to ordain instead Abba Sawiros. Although at first warmly welcomed when he reached Ethiopia
, the Caliph's candidate began to openly favor Islam
in that Christian country by building seven mosques, ostensibly for the use of Muslim traders. This led to a general uproar in Ethiopia. Abuna Sawiros justified his acts by saying a refusal to build these mosques would result in a persecution in Egypt
; nevertheless, the Abuna was imprisoned, the seven mosques destroyed, and restrictions placed on the Muslim traders. Reciprocal acts followed in Egypt, and a rupture in the relations between the two countries.
The Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria
was in The Hanging Church
during Pope Cyril II papacy.
Pope Cyril II departed on 12 Paoni
808 A.M. (6 June 1092 A.D.).
Coptic Christianity
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is the official name for the largest Christian church in Egypt and the Middle East. The Church belongs to the Oriental Orthodox family of churches, which has been a distinct church body since the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451, when it took a different...
Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
Patriarch of Alexandria
The Patriarch of Alexandria is the Archbishop of Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt. Historically, this office has included the designation of Pope , and did so earlier than that of the Bishop of Rome...
(1078–1092).
Patriarch Cyril attempted to ordain a properly consecrated bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
to be the new Abuna
Abuna
Also see Leaders of ChristianityAbun is the honorific title used for any bishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church as well as of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church...
of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, but Badr al-Jamali, the Vizir of Caliph
Caliph
The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word which means "successor" or "representative"...
Al-Mustansir
Al-Mustansir of Cairo
' , was born in Cairo on 16th Jumada II, 420 AH and eight months afterwards was declared to succeed his father. His name was Ma'd Abu Tamim, surnamed al-Mustansir bil-Lah "The Asker Of Victory From God". He ascended on 15th Shaban, 427/June 13, 1036 at the age of . During the early years, the...
, forced him to ordain instead Abba Sawiros. Although at first warmly welcomed when he reached Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, the Caliph's candidate began to openly favor Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
in that Christian country by building seven mosques, ostensibly for the use of Muslim traders. This led to a general uproar in Ethiopia. Abuna Sawiros justified his acts by saying a refusal to build these mosques would result in a persecution in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
; nevertheless, the Abuna was imprisoned, the seven mosques destroyed, and restrictions placed on the Muslim traders. Reciprocal acts followed in Egypt, and a rupture in the relations between the two countries.
The Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria
Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria
The Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria is historically based in Alexandria, Egypt. It is commonly known as the Holy See of St. Mark, as the Coptic Pope is the successor of St. Mark....
was in The Hanging Church
The Hanging Church
Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church also known as the Hanging Church is one of the oldest churches in Egypt and the history of a church on this site dates to the 3rd century AD....
during Pope Cyril II papacy.
Pope Cyril II departed on 12 Paoni
Paoni 12 (Coptic Orthodox liturgics)
11 Paoni - Coptic calendar - 13 Paoni-Fixed commemorations:All fixed commemorations below are observed on 12 Paoni by the Coptic Orthodox Church-Saints:*Departure of Pope Justus of Alexandria...
808 A.M. (6 June 1092 A.D.).