Synaxarium

On this day in the year 715 AD, the holy father Alexandros II, the 43rd Pope of Alexandria, departed. This saint was from the people of Bana and became a monk in the Monastery of the Fathers (Patiroun), also known as the Monastery of the Fathers, which was known as the Monastery of Glass located west of Alexandria. Due to his piety and knowledge, he was chosen for the patriarchal throne. During his tenure, he endured many hardships. He was a contemporary of Caliph Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik, who, upon assuming the caliphate, appointed his brother Abdullah as governor of Egypt in 698 AD. Abdullah mistreated the Christians severely. He confiscated the monks of the desert of Shihit, and his evil reached such an extent that one day he entered a monastery in Upper Egypt where he saw an icon of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. When he asked about it and was told it was an image of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ the Savior of the world, he spat on the icon saying: "If I live, I will destroy the Christians," then he blasphemed against the Lord Christ as well. That night, he saw a disturbing dream that filled his heart with fear. He wrote to his brother saying: "Last night I suffered seeing a man sitting on a great throne whose face shone more than the sun, surrounded by many armed men. You and I were bound and thrown behind him. When I asked who he was, I was told this is Jesus Christ, King of the Christians, whom I insulted yesterday. Then one of the armed men came and stabbed me with a spear in my side." His brother was very saddened by this vision. Abdullah was struck with a severe fever and died that night. Forty days later, his brother Al-Walid also died.

In the year 701 AD, another governor took his place and followed his example, mistreating the Christians. He arrested Saint Alexandros and tortured him until he collected from the believers three thousand dinars. God quickly destroyed him. After him, another more evil governor came. His minister arrested the father patriarch and demanded three thousand dinars from him. The father excused himself saying that the money given to his predecessor was partly collected from the believers and partly borrowed. The governor did not accept this excuse. Finally, the father asked for a delay, and the governor granted him. He went to Upper Egypt to collect it from the alms of the believers. During his travels, a wandering monk ordered two of his disciple monks to dig a cave. While digging, they found five copper cups filled with gold. They kept one cup and gave the other four to the wandering monk. He sent these four to the father patriarch. The two disciples took the gold and left the monastic life, married, and acquired concubines, slaves, and livestock. The governor learned of this and summoned them, threatening them. They told him about the five cups, and that the father patriarch took the four. The governor hurried to the patriarchal residence, plundered what he found of church vessels, then arrested the father patriarch, insulted him, and imprisoned him. He demanded the cups and the three thousand dinars and did not release him until he paid them.

Shortly after, this governor died, and another more evil one came. He ordered the believers to mark on their hands, instead of the glorious sign of the cross, the name of the beast prophesied by John the Theologian. He commanded this to be done throughout the lands. He asked the father patriarch to mark this sign on his hand, but he refused. When he insisted, the father asked for three days' delay, then went to his cell and prayed to the Lord Jesus not to forsake him so that he would not fall into this trial. The Lord heard his prayer and visited him with a slight illness. He went and asked the governor for permission to go to Alexandria, but the governor did not allow him, thinking he was feigning illness to avoid the mark. Then the Lord inspired him that he would depart after four days. He informed his disciples and asked them to prepare a vehicle to carry his body and bury it near the bodies of the holy fathers. He departed peacefully, and they carried and transferred his body as he requested.

During this father's time, there was a patriarch in Egypt named Anastasios, who angered his people because of his peacefulness and love for the Orthodox. He left them and came to Pope Alexandros and confessed the Orthodox faith before him. Pope Alexandros honored him greatly and wanted to hand over the patriarchal affairs to him so that he could devote himself to worship in one of the monasteries. But father Anastasios refused, saying: "If I desired the patriarchate, I would have stayed there, for I was a patriarch, but I want to be your disciple." Finally, he accepted to take over one of the dioceses, a branch of the flock entrusted to him for better care. Father Alexandros remained on the patriarchal throne for 24 years and 9 months. May his prayers be with us. Amen.

On this day in the year 728 AD, the holy father Theodoros, the 45th Pope of Alexandria, departed. This father was a monk in a monastery near Mariout known as the Monastery of Tanbura, under the guidance and management of a virtuous and holy elder named Yoannis. The Holy Spirit inspired him that his disciple Tadros would one day become a patriarch. He informed those concerned and those who sought refuge in him of this. Tadros was a struggler in his worship, perfect in humility and meekness. By God's will, he was chosen for the patriarchate to care for the flock of the Lord Christ in the best way. He was diligent in reading and preaching to his people on most days, especially on Sundays and feasts. He completed twelve years on the Markian throne and departed peacefully. May his prayers be with us, and to our Lord be glory forever and ever. Amen.