Pope Joseph II of Alexandria
Encyclopedia
Pope Joseph II of Alexandria, known in Coptic as Yusab II (died 14 November 1956) was the Coptic
Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
(1946–1956).
of Girga
before becoming the Pope and he is the third Bishop
/ Metropolitan
to become a Pope after Popes John XIX
(1928–1942) and Macarius III
(1942–1945).
The Seat of the Pope
in Cairo
during his papacy remained in the Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral
in Azbakeya, Cairo
.
for having appointed the first Ethiopian born metropolitan Archbishop for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, and granting that church full autocephaly
. His deposition by the Coptic Synod was not accepted by the Ethiopian Church, and the name of Pope Joseph II was still raised in church services in Ethiopia as Patriarch long after he was removed from office.
was founded in 1954. by the Coptic Orthodox Church and based in Cairo
.
Between the years 1950–1952 A.D., in the time of Pope Yosab II, the building of Saint Mark's Church
in Alexandria
was pulled down – as it was old – and another bigger building was built with reinforced concrete after the basilique style. The six marble pillars were transferred into the outer entrance of the church. The icon carrier was accurately cut into parts, each part given a number, and then it was cautiously returned to where it was originally. The two minarets were not pulled down as they were reinforced with concrete and were decorated with beautiful Coptic
engravings. Two new bells – brought from Italy – were provided one for each minaret.
Pope Yousab II was removed from office via mutual decision from the Holy Synod and the General Congregation Council in 1956. He retired to one of the monasteries and in his last days he was transferred to the Coptic Hospital
in Azbakeya
, Cairo
where he died in 1956.
The church was managed by a committee formed of three of the Metropolitans
and one of them was Metropolitan Mikhail of Assiut
from 1956 to 1959.
The throne was vacant from 1956 to 1959 when Pope Cyril VI
was chosen.
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...
(1946–1956).
The Pope
He was the MetropolitanMetropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
of Girga
Girga
Girga is a city in the Sohag Governorate of Upper Egypt. It is located on the west bank of the Nile River.Girga was the capital of the Girga Governorate until 1960, when the capital was moved to Sohag and the name of the governorate changed accordingly....
before becoming the Pope and he is the third 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...
/ Metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
to become a Pope after Popes John XIX
Pope John XIX of Alexandria
Pope John XIX of Alexandria was the Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria ,Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark .-A Monk:...
(1928–1942) and Macarius III
Pope Macarius III of Alexandria
Pope Macarius III of Alexandria was the Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa .Born on 18 February 1872 in El-Mahalla El-Kubra, Egypt died on 31 August 1945 in Cairo....
(1942–1945).
The Seat of the Pope
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....
in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
during his papacy remained in the Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral
Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (Azbakeya)
Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Azbakeya, Cairo was the seat of the Coptic Pope from 1800 to 1971.Due to Ibrahim El-Gohary's influential position in the government and his great favor to the Muslim rulers, he was able to issue fatwas that permitted the Copts to rebuild the destroyed...
in Azbakeya, Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
.
Ethiopia
He is revered in EthiopiaEthiopia
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...
for having appointed the first Ethiopian born metropolitan Archbishop for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, and granting that church full autocephaly
Autocephaly
Autocephaly , in hierarchical Christian churches and especially Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches, is the status of a hierarchical church whose head bishop does not report to any higher-ranking bishop...
. His deposition by the Coptic Synod was not accepted by the Ethiopian Church, and the name of Pope Joseph II was still raised in church services in Ethiopia as Patriarch long after he was removed from office.
Work
During Pope Yosab II's papacy the Institute of Coptic StudiesInstitute of Coptic Studies
The Institute of Coptic Studies was founded in 1954 by the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. It is based in Cairo....
was founded in 1954. by the Coptic Orthodox Church and based in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
.
Between the years 1950–1952 A.D., in the time of Pope Yosab II, the building of Saint Mark's Church
Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (Alexandria)
Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria is the historical seat of the Pope of Alexandria, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church.-Beginning:The cathedral is said to stand on the site of the church founded by St. Mark the Evangelist in 60 AD.St...
in Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
was pulled down – as it was old – and another bigger building was built with reinforced concrete after the basilique style. The six marble pillars were transferred into the outer entrance of the church. The icon carrier was accurately cut into parts, each part given a number, and then it was cautiously returned to where it was originally. The two minarets were not pulled down as they were reinforced with concrete and were decorated with beautiful Coptic
Coptic art
Coptic art is a term used either for the art of Egypt produced in the early Christian era or for the art produced by the Coptic Christians themselves. Coptic art is most well known for its wall-paintings, textiles, illuminated manuscripts, and metalwork, much of which survives in monasteries and...
engravings. Two new bells – brought from Italy – were provided one for each minaret.
Removal from office
Pope Yousab II was faced by allegations of corruption due to his support of his secretary and in 1954 after long disagreement over this matter with the Church's Synod and the General Congregation CouncilGeneral Congregation Council
General Congregation Council is part of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and represents the laity of the Church, it is also known as the Coptic Orthodox Lay Council...
Pope Yousab II was removed from office via mutual decision from the Holy Synod and the General Congregation Council in 1956. He retired to one of the monasteries and in his last days he was transferred to the Coptic Hospital
Coptic Hospital
The Coptic Hospital is a name given to a hospital in Cairo, Egypt.-History:The idea of establishing a hospital by the Coptic Orthodox Church started in the late 19th century; in the 1920s in a group of Coptic doctors met together on a regular basis for fellowship and discussion. This group...
in Azbakeya
Azbakeya
Azbakeya is one of the districts of Cairo, Egypt in the centre of Cairo, and contains many historically important establishments.One of these is the Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral , which was inaugurated by Pope Mark VIII in 1800. and served as the seat of the Coptic Pope in Cairo from...
, Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
where he died in 1956.
The church was managed by a committee formed of three of the Metropolitans
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
and one of them was Metropolitan Mikhail of Assiut
Anba Mikhail
Anba Mikhail نيافة الأنبا ميخائيل مطران أسيوط , is the Elder Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Asyut , Anba Mikhail نيافة الأنبا ميخائيل مطران أسيوط (born 1911 or 1912), is the Elder Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Asyut (Lycopolis), Anba Mikhail نيافة الأنبا ميخائيل مطران أسيوط...
from 1956 to 1959.
The throne was vacant from 1956 to 1959 when Pope Cyril VI
Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria
Father Mina became Pope of Alexandria on 10 May 1959 . In accordance with the old Coptic church tradition, Pope Cyril VI was the only monk in the 20th century to be chosen for papacy without having being a bishop /Metropolitan first...
was chosen.