Few days ago, we celebrated the commemoration of the man of prayers’ departure, Pope Kyrillos VI, the 116th Patriarch on the See of St. Mark, while in few days time, we will celebrate the departure of his succeeding Patriarch “Pope Shenouda III”. Both patriarchs share deep love in the hearts of Egyptian People; Muslims and Christians, as they had kept great love for Egypt, and a tender fatherhood for all Egyptians.
In the previous article, we spoke about “Egypt, the mother of the world” which has been blessed by God’s holy men, about her children’s love toward her during the Coptic Era when the love for the homeland became rooted in their hearts, shining brightly in every page of her ancient history. This love has been manifested in the words written by Egyptian history writers after the Arab Conquest of Egypt, then it led the Egyptians in inseparable union and attachment throughout ages until today and forever.
My words are but an echo for the rooted love in the hearts of “Pope Kyrillos VI” and “Pope Shenouda III” towards Egypt, transfigured in all their patriotic roles.
“Pope Kyrillos VI”
The life of Pope Kyrillos VI was filled with patriotic stances; despite his love for the life of reclusion and prayers, he was a bright model for Egypt and Egyptians for all who knew him or met him. We have the testimony of Dr. Hassan Fouad, the Director of Arab Antiquities, who met him accompanied by the Director of the New York Theological Seminary, while collecting information about the Coptic monasticism and its history, he said: “Father: you have raised the head of the monks and the Egyptian man. My warm greeting to you! I wish I could proof my deep appreciation and respect for you one day.”
After becoming a patriarch, he became a father of all Egyptians, that they came to him from every direction, to be blessed with his invocations, seeking his advice and counsel.
When the external enemy tried to break up the unity of the nation, His Eminence Imam Hassan Ma’moun, the Sheikh of Al Azhar, together with His Holiness Pope Kyrillos VI, issued a joint historic statement confirming the solidarity of all Egyptians in the issues facing the country, asserting the unified purpose and stance towards all matters concerning Egypt and the Middle East.
The most important issue came in that statement was the stance of Egyptians towards Jerusalem’s case, that statement had a resounding effect all over the world. The Egyptian unity was also reflected in the popular march which was agreed upon by His Eminence, the Great Imam Al-Ma’moun and His Holiness Pope Kyrillos when they led it as an expression of their rejection for the attacks on Palestine and the aggression Israel displayed on Jerusalem including its Islamic and Christian sanctities. Pope Kyrillos VI also sent a letter to Pope Paul VI, the Pope of Rome, saying: “It is no secret that the decision made by Israel to annex ancient Jerusalem has caused a deep heartbreak in the feelings of all Arabs in general, Muslims and Christians, There is nothing can be borne by man’s conscience harder than an act of aggression that touches his faith and his sanctities, thence, his spirit and blood are cheap in his eyes that he craves to be martyred in order to defend his immortal heritage and his ancient glory …” Then he asked him in his letter to support the Arab stance: “We have demanded, pleading to God and to the world conscience, asking God to support your Holiness and to help us in order to be united in advocating this just cause…”
Pope Kyrillos is reported to have given a number of press interviews, conducted interviews for the French television about Jerusalem and the implementation of Security Council resolutions. His Holiness issued a decree then that Copts are not allowed to visit Jerusalem, as an objection against the aggression occurring.
The winds of aggression blew on Egypt through the occupation of Israel to Sinai in 1967, Pope Kyrillos VI played a national role of supporting the country through his Papal messages, statements issued in the meetings he participated in, popular seminars and conferences; in order to unite the Egyptians together to overcome the crisis facing the country then, and to strengthen the stance of President Gamal Abdel Nasser
He wasn’t to do otherwise, as he was the one who told President Abdel Nasser: “With the help of the Lord, I will work on educating my children the knowledge of the Lord, the love of the homeland, and the meaning of true brotherhood; so the homeland would develop as a strong unit filled with faith in God and homeland love”
It was one of reported roles of His Holiness that he asked the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Sellasie to have a stance supporting the cause of Egypt at the United Nations.
The Egyptian history cannot forget the stance Pope Kyrillos when President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced his stepping down from presidency on the evening of 8/6/1967 following the defeat: on the next morning, while holding the Mass as his daily ritual, he mentioned Egypt and its president and people
Immediately after the mass, accompanied by a delegation of the Archbishops and a number of priests, he got out of the patriarchal house heading towards the presidential palace where he met the President’s secretary, Mohamed Ahmed,
who sent a car to open the way in front of Pope Kyrillos’ car for the streets were flaring with demonstrations. Upon arrival, the president was not found at the presidential palace, but rather he stayed at his house, Pope Kyrillos left a message with Mr. Mohamed Ahmed, to be delivered to the president; “Tell him the Copts are adhering to him as a president, they want him in the position of the country leader”
After being promised to deliver his message, His Holiness left
He went back his residence in Azbakiya, then he asked for the bells to be ready for ringing amidst the astonishment of the attendees, yet, their surprise did not last long as Mohammed Anwar Al Sadat, the National Assembly President then, announced President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s retraction due to the People’s will
On the morning of June, 10, 1967, the Pope went to the presidential palace to write down his words in the record of visits, declaring the happiness and satisfaction of the Copts with the President’s decision and response to the call of the people to complete his role as president.
The role of Pope Kyrillos was not halted at this critical stage in the history of Egypt. His love for Egypt was manifested in proclaiming that Mass prayers would be held in all the Coptic churches for Egypt’s sake, in order to be granted protection and steadfastness. Israel Arabic radio scoffed at this, saying:
“Rejoice, Abdel Nasser! You have Kyrillos the Sixth, while we have the Sixth Fleet.” However, that national spirit prevailed in all Egyptians, as the rebuilding of the armed forces began, then the Attrition Warfare was waged and Israel lost a lot of equipment and individuals …
And stories about loving Beautiful Egypt never end…!
General Bishop
Head of Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
