Bishops from the El-Sourian Monastery

We mention some of the bishops according to the sources we have found; there are many whom history has not recorded.

Anba Christodoulos

He was Hegumen Abd al-Masih al-Anbiri, abbot of El-Sourian, whom Pope Matthew IV ordained Metropolitan of Ethiopia (Abyssinia) in 1665. He later returned to the monastery and devoted himself to asceticism and worship until he departed. His tomb is still to the right of the entrance of the Church of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. The monastery library holds some manuscripts bearing his name and his seal, inscribed in Ethiopic and Arabic “Abd al-Masih, Metropolitan of Abyssinia.”

Anba Athanasius

He became a monk at the monastery, and Pope Peter VI ordained him to the See of the Resurrection (Jerusalem) in 1720.

Anba Peter (Metropolitan of Girga)

He was abbot of El-Sourian, with direct oversight of the other monasteries of the desert. In the mid-eighteenth century Pope Mark VII ordained him Metropolitan of the diocese of Girga, Akhmim and the lands to the south. The monastery library holds two pastoral letters of his, each beginning: “Peter, servant of the servants of God, by the grace of God Metropolitan of the See of Girga and Upper Egypt, and of all the Christian people of the sees of Akhmim, Girga, Qift, Qus, Naqada, Esna, Armant and their dependencies.” His seal is still on some of the library’s books: “The lowly Peter, Bishop of the See of Naqada, 1467 AM / 1751 AD.” In the Coptic Katameros manuscript for the month of Babah there are two letters of Anba Peter about the sending of provisions from the Mu’allim Ibrahim al-Gawhari to the monks of the Monasteries of Anba Pishoi and El-Sourian, one of them dated 1487 AM / 1771 AD.

Anba Joseph (Jerusalem)

Pope John XVIII ordained him to the diocese of the Resurrection (Jerusalem). He supervised the building work carried out by the Mu’allim Ibrahim al-Gawhari at El-Sourian in 1773 under the abbacy of Hegumen Mankarius. Afterward he went with the abbot to the Monastery of the Virgin, El-Baramus, renewed the old keep and built a church in the name of Anba Apip and Anba Apollo, which was demolished in 1781 to enlarge the Church of Saint John.

Anba Peter (Bishop of Manfalut)

He was called Hegumen Mankarius and was abbot of the monastery. Pope John XVIII ordained him Bishop of Manfalut. He gave the monastery as an endowment the manuscript of the Consecration of Churches (1490 AM), which had previously belonged to Anba Athanasius, Metropolitan of Jerusalem.

Anba Isaac (Bishop of Bahnasa, Fayoum and Giza)

After becoming a monk and priest at El-Sourian, he was ordained by Pope Peter VII for the diocese of Bahnasa, Fayoum and Giza. His priestly vestments, made in 1555 AM / 1839 AD, are still in the monastery museum. He led the effort to have Hegumen John the Scribe ordained Patriarch in 1874 (Pope Cyril V); this was done, and shortly afterward he departed. He spent several months each year visiting his flock, and several months visiting the monasteries of Scetis and providing their monks with food and clothing.

Anba Matthaeus (Bishop of Abu Tig)

He became a monk at the monastery at fifteen; he was the son of the widowed monk Bishara al-Souriany. At twenty Pope Cyril V appointed him abbot; he was quiet, meek and of good character. At twenty-five he was ordained Bishop of Abu Tig and Tahta (1877), and he departed at thirty and was buried in the Church of Abu Mighizil. He gave the monastery a silver altar set, still at the Azbawiya and dated 1877, and a book of homilies, given in 1879.

Anba Macarius (Bishop of Khartoum)

He became a monk at the monastery, and Anba Cyril V ordained him Bishop of Khartoum in Sudan on 27 October 1878. In his days the Mahdist revolt broke out in Sudan, and he left in 1884. When the dispute arose between the Community Council and the Pope, and the Pope was exiled to El-Baramus, this bishop refused to act as patriarchal deputy, and did not oppose the Bishop of Sanabu who accepted it. At last his health declined; the Patriarch and Anba Mark, Metropolitan of Esna, visited him in his humble home, and he departed on 27 November 1896 and was buried at the Monastery of Abu Sefein in Old Cairo.

Anba Sarapamon (Metropolitan of Khartoum)

He was born in Esna in 1860, became a monk at El-Sourian with the name John in 1878, a priest in 1886, and was appointed abbot after the departure of Hegumen Theodore, having been ordained hegumen in 1890 by Anba Peter, Bishop of Manfalut. He worked to renew the monastery and bought several houses for it on Clot Bey Street, and all agreed in loving him.

When Anba Cyril V wished to ordain Hegumen Abd al-Masih (Anba Pishoi) Bishop of Assiut and Hegumen Mark (Anba Paul) Bishop of Khartoum, Hegumen Mark withdrew on the morning of the ordination, after Hegumen Peter, deputy of El-Sourian, warned him against going to Sudan. The Pope sent his disciple to bring him a monk from the Azbawiya (near St. Mark’s Cathedral at Clot Bey). When Hegumen John of Esna came and the Pope put the matter to him, he accepted it with thanks, and the Pope ordained him, together with the Bishop of Assiut, on 12 July 1897 for Khartoum and Omdurman, where he founded many churches and schools. He returned to Cairo in 1926 and was forced not to go back, until he departed at Helwan on 18 June 1935; he was buried in the Church of Abu Sefein in Old Cairo.

Anba Isaac (Bishop of Beni Suef)

He was born in Assiut, became a monk at El-Sourian with the name Dometius, and Pope Cyril V ordained him Bishop of Beni Suef and Bahnasa on 22 October 1899. He drowned with his nephew, Hegumen John, in the Ibrahimiya Canal on his way to the village of Ashruba on 5 August 1924. He was a man of dignity and reverence, and extremely generous.

Anba Joseph (Bishop of Fayoum)

He was born in the village of Bani Atiya, Beni Suef, and became a monk at the monastery with the name Dometius Joseph. Anba John, Metropolitan of Beheira, chose him to teach religion in the schools of Alexandria; then Anba Cyril V ordained him Bishop of Fayoum and Giza, successor to Saint Anba Abraam, on 28 November 1915. He lived a good life, and from his own means bought for the Fayoum diocese the farmland that belongs to it today. He departed on 25 November 1924.

Anba Theophilus (Bishop of the Monastery)

He became a monk at the monastery on 29 January 1926, and Anba Joseph II ordained him bishop of the monastery on 25 July 1948. We have written about him on the page Abbots of the monastery.

Anba Athanasius (Metropolitan of Beni Suef)

He was Abd al-Masih Bishara al-Qissis, born in Mahalla al-Kubra on 2 May 1923, the nephew of Pope Macarius III. He taught English in secondary schools and became a monk at the monastery on Sunday 7 September 1958 with the name Macarius. Anba Theophilus, bishop of the monastery, ordained him a priest on 17 May 1959 together with Father John Ibrahim, and afterward he was entrusted with the stewardship of the monastery and was loved by all. He became a hegumen on 27 May 1962, and on 9 September 1962 Pope Cyril VI ordained him Bishop of Beni Suef and Bahnasa, the first bishop ordained from the monastery in the time of Anba Theophilus. He is known as one of the scholars of our Coptic Church, meek, and devoted to monasticism, work and preaching since his early youth; he works with all his strength for his diocese and has represented the Church at several conferences abroad. On the Feast of Pentecost, 18 June 1978, he was raised to metropolitan by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.

Anba Samuel (Bishop of Services)

He was Saad Aziz, born in Cairo on 8 December 1920. He earned a law degree in 1941 and the diploma of the Clerical College in 1944, then taught at the Clerical College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 1944 to 1946, and was later entrusted with the secretariat of the General Committee for Church Education.

His Holiness Pope Cyril VI (then Father Mina the Recluse) made him a monk at the Monastery of Anba Samuel with the name Makari, then sent him to the Monastery of the Virgin (El-Sourian) together with the monk Pakhom. He was ordained a priest in 1950 and later a hegumen. He was private secretary to His Holiness Pope Cyril, earned a bachelor’s degree in education and psychology and then a master’s degree in religious education from Princeton, taught at the Clerical College, and headed the department of social studies at the Higher Institute of Coptic Studies.

Then Anba Cyril ordained him Bishop of Services, together with Anba Shenouda, Bishop of Education, on Sunday 30 September 1962, so that Anba Samuel founded the Bishopric of Services in Egypt. His life became a model of activity and evangelistic work; he visited most of the world’s capitals, rendering great services to the Church and his country, and was an example of sacrifice for others with cheerfulness and joy. He was a member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches and represented the Church at several conferences abroad. After the departure of Anba Cyril he was among the three names on which the altar lot was cast to choose the Pope and Patriarch. In all, he loved and was loved, until he was martyred on 6 October 1981 while attending the military parade with President Sadat.

Anba Shenouda (His Holiness Pope Shenouda III)

Anba Cyril VI ordained him Bishop of Education and the Theological Institutes, together with Anba Samuel, Bishop of Services, on Sunday 30 September 1962. See his life on the page Abbots of the monastery.

Anba Dometius (Metropolitan of Giza)

He was Michel Khalil Bishay, born in Maghagha in 1925, and graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture in 1946. He came to the Monastery of the Virgin (El-Sourian) in March 1951, became a monk on Joyous Saturday, 29 April 1951, with the name Matthias, was ordained a priest on 15 March 1953 together with Hegumen Dioscorus, and a hegumen in 1955. He was steward of the monastery for a time and labored much on the garden established outside the monastery, which still stands with its many trees. He served for a time as secretary to Pope Cyril, who then ordained him Bishop of Giza, together with Anba Maximus, Bishop of Qalyubia, on the Sunday of Baptisms, 31 March 1963. He worked to build up the diocese of Giza and built many churches in it, and in 1986 he was raised to metropolitan by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.

Bishops Ordained by Pope Shenouda III

Anba Youannes (Bishop of Gharbiya)

He was Ramzi Aziz, born in Shubra, Cairo, on 25 October 1923. As a young man he served at the Church of Anba Antony in Shubra and in the Sunday School together with Mr. Nazir Gayed (His Holiness Pope Shenouda), for they were friends. He earned a bachelor’s degree in arts in 1952 and taught history until 1955, when he came to El-Sourian and became a monk with the name Shenouda on 31 July 1955, together with the monks David and Cyril. He was steward of the monastery for a time and librarian of the monastery.

He was ordained a priest on 16 September 1956 at the Azbawiya church in Cairo, then a hegumen on Sunday 24 December 1961. He served for a time as secretary to His Holiness Pope Cyril VI and served in many churches. He was ordained bishop on Sunday 12 December 1971 with the name Anba Youannes for the diocese of Gharbiya, together with Anba Pachomius, Bishop of Beheira; they were the first bishops ordained by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.

He was secretary of the Holy Synod from 1972 to 1985, founded a branch of the Clerical College in Tanta, and built the Cathedral of Saint Paul, the first dedicated to Saint Paul in our country, bringing to it a relic of Saint Paul the Apostle. He restored the Monastery of Saint Mina at Abyar, which benefits many for spiritual retreat, besides the churches he founded. He was a model bishop in his pastoral care; his prayers were marked by spirituality and liturgical exactness, he loved the Tasbeha and the hymns, which he chanted in his resonant, musical voice, and he had a special love for the holy fathers and the monks. He was an accomplished scholar and a thorough reference, author of more than 14 valuable books, and represented the Church at its many conferences abroad and at the World Council of Churches. He completed his struggle on Wednesday 4 November 1987. His Holiness the Pope prayed over him on 5 November with many bishops, priests and monks of El-Sourian, dignitaries and people of every denomination; his funeral procession was the best testimony of his love for all. His body was laid in the metropolitans’ tomb at the Cathedral of Saint George in Tanta.

Anba Pachomius (Metropolitan of Beheira)

He was Samir Kheir Sukkar, born in Shibin el-Kom in 1935. He earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce, then studied at the Clerical College from 1959 to 1961 and in the sociology department of the Institute of Coptic Studies. He was the first deacon to serve in Kuwait, with Hegumen Angelos al-Muharraqi (His Grace Anba Maximus), and served in the Sunday School from his early youth.

He came to the monastery and became a monk on Sunday 11 November 1962 with the name Antonious el-Souriany, together with the monk Misael. He was ordained a priest on the fourth Sunday of Koiak, 2 January 1966, together with Father Evagrius and Father Matthias. On 6 February 1966 he began serving the institute for training African servants, then served in Sudan, where Anba Daniel ordained him hegumen in the summer of 1968; he also served in Ethiopia and London, and represented the Coptic Church at several conferences abroad.

His Holiness Pope Shenouda ordained him Bishop of Beheira and its dependencies (the Five Western Cities) with the name Anba Pachomius on the first Sunday of Koiak, 12 December 1971, together with His Grace Anba Youannes. He built the Cathedral of the Virgin and Saint Athanasius in Damanhur and many churches, and in 1987 brought a relic of Saint Augustine from Algeria and placed it in the cathedral, where it is celebrated every year. He is constantly active for the salvation of his flock, and was raised to metropolitan on 2 September 1990.

Anba Agathon (Metropolitan of Ismailia)

He was born in Basyoun, Desouk, in 1922, and became a monk at the monastery on 24 August 1958 with the name Agathon; for a time he was steward of the monastery. He was ordained a priest on Sunday 24 February 1963 together with Father Sarapamon, then a hegumen on Sunday 6 April 1969. He was given oversight of the Monastery of Tammuh in Giza for a time, then served in churches in England and France. He was ordained a general bishop with the name Anba Agathon on the Feast of Pentecost, 28 May 1972, together with seven priests for Cairo, then Bishop of the diocese of Ismailia in 1977, and was given the abbacy of the Monastery of Anba Paul until the middle of 1989. He was raised to metropolitan on 17 November 1991.

Anba Bishoy (Metropolitan of Damietta)

He was Makram Iskandar Nicola, born in Damietta in 1942. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Alexandria University and was appointed a teaching assistant at the Alexandria Faculty of Engineering. He came to the monastery on Ascension Thursday, 30 May 1968, and became a monk on Sunday 16 February 1969 with the name Thomas. He was ordained a priest on 4 December 1970 together with Fathers Augustine, Sidarous and Simon and Hegumen Paphnutius, then a hegumen on Sunday 17 September 1972, and was ordained bishop with the name Anba Bishoy on Sunday 24 September 1972 for the diocese of Damietta, Kafr el-Sheikh and the Monastery of Saint Demiana at Barari Belqas. He has made intensive efforts in pastoral care and preaching, represented the Church at several conferences abroad, was appointed secretary of the Holy Synod in 1985, and was raised to metropolitan on 2 September 1990.

Anba Sarapamon (Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of Anba Pishoi)

He was Azer Qelaid, born on 20 February 1937 in Armant, and lived a life of piety and virtue from childhood. He came to the monastery in August 1959 and became a monk on 7 December 1959 with the name Sarapamon (following the Synaxarium, for it was 28 Hatour, the commemoration of the martyrdom of Saint Sarapamon, Bishop of Nikiou). His Holiness Pope Shenouda loved him from the time he came to the monastery, as did Anba Theophilus and all the fathers, for his meekness, his loving service to others and his generosity.

He was ordained a priest on Sunday 24 February 1963 together with Father Agathon, a hegumen on Sunday 25 June 1967 together with Hegumen Matthias, and a general bishop on Pentecost Sunday, 17 June 1973, together with His Grace Anba Timothy, general bishop. He was then given the abbacy of the Monastery of Saint Anba Pishoi, and since then has worked day and night to build up the monastery until it has flourished spiritually and materially, in monastic life and in building, and its fame has spread through the care and encouragement of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, who enthroned him bishop of the Monastery of Anba Pishoi in 1977. He is regarded as the spiritual father of the monks of the Monastery of Anba Pishoi and of some bishops from that monastery, as well as of some monks of El-Sourian and other monasteries. Since his monastic profession he has lived in virtue, a model abbot and guide, humble and wise, loving all and loved by all.

Anba Hedra (Bishop of Aswan)

He was Adel Sadiq Awadallah, born in Tanta in 1940, with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture (1963). He came to the monastery on the Friday at the close of Lent, 17 April 1970, became a monk on Sunday 4 April 1971 (the Sunday of Baptisms) with the name Georgius, was ordained a priest on 22 December 1974 (the feast of Saint Anba Hedra), and was ordained Bishop of the diocese of Aswan at Pentecost, 22 June 1975, with others, with the name Anba Hedra. Since taking up the care of the people of Aswan, he has watched over all alike in love and humility, so that all, clergy and people, love him with all their hearts. He is a model bishop; he has also built several churches and restored the Monastery of Anba Pachomius at Hagir Edfu.

Anba Paphnutius (Bishop of Samalout)

He was Nagui Shoukry Morcos, born in Cairo in 1946. He graduated in medicine, and during his internship year came to the monastery on 14 January 1972; he became a monk on 12 March 1972 with the name Antonious, together with the monk Barsanuphius and the monk Marco the Kenyan. He was ordained a priest on Sunday 30 March 1975, a hegumen by His Holiness the Pope on 4 June 1976 with others, and Bishop of the diocese of Samalout with the name Anba Paphnutius, with others, at Pentecost, 13 June 1976.

Anba Angelos (Bishop of Sharqia)

He was Metri Barsoum, born in Zagazig, with a bachelor’s degree in commerce. He came to the monastery on 14 July 1972, became a monk on Sunday 1 October 1972 with the name Philip, and was ordained a priest on 3 June 1973. He then served in Tahrir Province, and from 1974 in Libya, where he was ordained hegumen on 1 February 1976 by Anba Pachomius, remaining there until he was called to the episcopate. He was ordained Bishop of Sharqia with the name Anba Angelos on 14 November 1976, together with His Grace Anba Tadros for Port Said.

Anba Ruweis (General Bishop)

He was Mokhtar Fahmy al-Minyawi, born in Mit Ghamr in 1939, with a bachelor’s degree in commerce. He came to the monastery and became a monk on Sunday 13 October 1963 with the name Matthias; he was made a monk by Anba Shenouda while he was Bishop of Education. He was ordained a priest on Sunday 2 January 1966 together with Fathers Antonious and Evagrius, and a hegumen on Sunday 25 June 1967 together with Hegumen Sarapamon. In October 1966 His Holiness Pope Cyril VI had appointed him his secretary, then supervisor of the Clerical College. He fled from his ordination as Bishop of Damietta in 1969, returned as supervisor of the Clerical College in 1970, and was appointed secretary to His Holiness Pope Shenouda in November 1971. He is loved by all and lives in virtue and humility; he fled the episcopate many times, and was finally ordained a general bishop at Pentecost, 29 May 1977, with the name Anba Ruweis, together with four other bishops and two chorepiscopi. He has pastoral work especially in Canada and America.

Anba Isaac (Chorepiscopus of Qalyubia)

He was Louis Fahmy Barsoum, born on 21 October 1937, with a bachelor’s degree in science. He came to the monastery on 11 August 1963 (the feast of Saint Wissa) and became a monk on 4 January 1964 (25 Koiak) with the name Wissa. He was ordained a priest on 25 June 1967, on the day the fathers Sarapamon and Matthias became hegumens and the monk Bemwa was professed. He served several churches in Egypt and abroad: in Khartoum, Libya, London and America. He was ordained chorepiscopus, assistant to the Metropolitan of Qalyubia, with the name Anba Isaac at the Feast of Pentecost, 18 June 1978, together with four other chorepiscopi, and is the author of several spiritual books.

Anba Matthaeus (Bishop and Abbot of El-Sourian)

He was Helmy Aziz, born in Esna on 18 July 1939. He earned a diploma in commerce in 1959, came to the monastery on 29 October 1964, became a monk on 7 February 1965 with the name Paphnutius, was ordained a priest on the Friday at the close of Lent, 4 April 1969, and a hegumen on the Sunday of Baptisms, 12 April 1970, together with four other priests. He is loved by all, having lived in virtue and piety since his early youth; he is skilled in the Tasbeha and the rites of the Church, and has written many spiritual and liturgical works, among them the book of the Life of Saint Mar Okeen.

In September 1977 His Holiness the Pope appointed him papal deputy for the diocese of Girga, then ordained him chorepiscopus, assistant to Anba Athanasius, Metropolitan of Beni Suef, at Pentecost, 18 June 1978, with the name Anba Matthaeus, with others; then a general bishop at Pentecost, 25 May 1980, with others. He oversees the churches of Old Cairo and works intensively in exemplary pastoral care, loving all and loved by all. On the Feast of Pentecost, 6 June 1993, he became abbot of the monastery.

Anba Misael (Bishop of Birmingham)

He was Naim Magla’, born in al-Usayrat, Girga. He became a monk at the monastery on Sunday 11 November 1962 with the name Misael, together with the monk Antonious (Anba Pachomius). He was ordained a priest on 1 November 1967 by His Grace Anba Shenouda (then Bishop of Education), then a hegumen on 17 May 1970 together with Hegumen Zosimus. He worked in the secretariat of His Holiness the Pope after his enthronement, until the Pope ordained him a general bishop at Pentecost, 25 May 1980, with others, with the name Anba Misael. Since 1985 he has overseen our churches in London. He is distinguished by meekness and simplicity, loving all and loved by all. On 26 May 1991 he was installed as Bishop of Birmingham, England.

Anba Barsoum (Bishop of Dairut and Sanabu)

He was Adel Fam, born in Fayoum on 25 November 1946. He graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture, came to the monastery on 14 January 1977, became a monk on 9 April 1977 with the name Dioscorus, was ordained a priest on 3 January 1981 with others, then a hegumen at the Azbawiya church in Cairo on 30 January 1981. He served in Sweden in 1985, then was ordained bishop at Pentecost, 22 June 1986, with others, with the name Anba Barsoum, for the diocese of Dairut and Sanabu. He works in meekness and quiet.

Anba Antonious (Bishop of Manfalut)

He was Zakaria Ezzat, born in Qena on 31 May 1951. After earning a degree in dentistry he came to the monastery on 8 December 1980 and became a monk on Sunday 1 August 1982 with the name John; he lived in meekness and cheerfulness, loved by all. He was ordained a priest on 19 June 1986 by His Holiness the Pope, then bishop with others at Pentecost, 22 June 1986, with the name Anba Antonious, for the diocese of Manfalut.

Anba Matthias (Bishop of Mahalla al-Kubra)

He was Maher Wanis, born in Qena in 1952, with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. He came to the monastery on 14 August 1977 and became a monk that same year with the name Matthias, was ordained a priest on 3 January 1981 with others, served in America in 1987, and was ordained bishop at Pentecost, 18 June 1989, for the diocese of Mahalla al-Kubra.

Anba Daniel (General Bishop)

He was Gamal Georgy, born in Cairo in 1948. He worked as a physician, then came to the monastery on 21 September 1981, became a monk on 31 October 1982 with the name Luke, and was ordained a priest on 3 February 1985. He was assigned to serve in the Bishopric of Services, then ordained a general bishop, assistant to the Metropolitan of Girga, at the Feast of Pentecost, 26 May 1991.

Anba Theophilus (Bishop of the Red Sea)

He was Armia Naim, born in 1942, with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. He came to the monastery on 6 May 1975, became a monk on 5 October 1975 with the name Ignatius, was ordained a priest on 3 January 1978 and a hegumen on 5 October 1980. He was assigned to serve in France, then ordained bishop on 14 June 1992 for the diocese of the Red Sea.

Read also: Abbots of El-Sourian · The Monastery of the Virgin Mary (El-Sourian)

Sources

• History of the Monastery of the Virgin Mary (El-Sourian), published by the fathers of the monastery