Synaxarium

On this day in the year 623 A.M. (March 16, 907 A.D.), the holy father Anba Michael the fifty-sixth of the Baiawiat of the Markarian preaching departed. He was ordained patriarch on 30 Paremhat 596 A.M. (April 25, 880 A.D.). He was of good character, but severe sorrows befell him: among them, Pope Qusma had built a church in the name of the martyr Aphtalmos in the town of Danoosher for the bishop of Sakha.

The people of Danoosher wanted to invite the father patriarch and some neighboring bishops to consecrate this church. This matter displeased the bishop. When they proceeded against his wishes, and the patriarch came with the bishops, this bishop refused to stay, leaving the church claiming he went to prepare their food. When his absence prolonged and the time for the liturgy came, the patriarch prayed the thanksgiving prayer and raised the offering after insistence from the bishops and by his right of presidency. When the bishop learned of this, his evil and love of worldly glory drove him to anger, claiming the patriarch had violated the laws by raising the offering in a diocese without the permission of its owner. He hurried back to the church, possessed by the devil, and desecrated the holy altar. The patriarch completed the liturgy calmly and perfectly.

The next day, the patriarch convened a synod of bishops, priests, and scholars with him, excommunicated that bishop, and appointed another. The bishop's anger increased, and he harbored evil, as the devil entered his heart. He went to the governor of Egypt, Ahmad ibn Tulun, and told him: "The patriarch is very wealthy and rich." This governor was preparing for war and needed expenses. He summoned the patriarch and demanded the church's money and vessels. The patriarch refused to give them and was imprisoned with a deacon named Ibn al-Mundhir for a full year, during which they ate only bread, boiled legumes, and salt. John and Moses, clerks of the governor, conspired with the clerks of his minister John and his son Maqar to rescue the patriarch. They appealed to the minister, who responded to their call and interceded with the governor on condition of paying 20,000 dinars to Ibn Tulun. The patriarch wrote a commitment to pay the amount in two installments: the first after one month, the second after four months, and thus he was released from prison. When the first installment was due, those clerks paid 1,000 dinars, the minister donated 1,000, and the patriarch paid 7,000 collected from bishops and believers. He sought to arrange the remaining 10,000 dinars. He went to the town of Belbeis. While pondering the matter, a ragged monk passed by his disciples and said to them: "Go and tell your teacher that the Lord will tear up the penalty document after forty days." When the patriarch learned this, he sought the monk but did not find him. This came to pass, for before the forty days elapsed, Ibn Tulun died, and his son Khumarawayh succeeded him in 875 A.D. He sought to reconcile with the patriarch, summoned him, and appeased him, then tore up the document. As for the evil man who caused these troubles for the holiness of the pope, God's wrath came upon him in life and death as a lesson for those who consider. This father ruled the Markarian throne for twenty-seven years, one month, and nine days, then departed in peace. May his prayers be with us. Amen.

On this day, the Lord raised Lazarus the friend from the dead, and many believed in Him because of this great miracle. Glory be to our Lord forever. Amen.