Synaxarium

On this day, corresponding to April 9, 282 AD, the father Saint Anba Maximus, the fifteenth Pope of the Markian See, departed. This father was born in the city of Alexandria to Christian parents who taught and disciplined him. He became proficient in the Greek language, then studied religious sciences. He was a man who feared God, so Pope Yaroclas XIII ordained him a deacon in the Church of Alexandria, then Pope Dionysius XIV ordained him a priest. Due to his advancement in virtue and knowledge, the fathers the bishops chose him for the patriarchal throne after the departure of Pope Dionysius, and he assumed the throne on 12 Hathor (November 9, 264 AD). Shortly after his ordination, a letter came from the Council of Antioch containing reasons for the excommunication of Paul the Samosatian and his followers. He read it to the priests of Alexandria, then issued a proclamation and sent it along with the council’s letter to all the lands of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Nubia, warning them against the heresy of Paul the Samosatian. This heresy ceased with the death of this innovator (as mentioned in the manuscript of Shebin El-Kom). In the days of this saint, a man appeared from the East, "the land of the Persians," named "Mani," who claimed about himself that he was the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. He came to the land of Syria and debated with its bishop, Saint Archelous, who exposed his error. So he left Syria and returned to the land of the Persians, where King Bahram seized him and cut him in half. As for Father Maximus, he remained a struggler and guardian of his flock, strengthening them with sermons and warnings for seventeen years and five days. He departed in peace. May his prayer be with us, and to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.

On this day was the departure of Anba Pachomius the Great. May his prayer be with us, and to our Lord be glory always and forever. Amen.