Commemorations
Pashons 30, 1742
The Departure of Pope Michael I, the 68th
On this day in the year 818 A.M. (May 25, 1102 A.D.), the holy father Pope Michael, the sixty-eighth of the Popes of the See of Mark, departed. He was a learned and virtuous man who studied the church books from his youth and memorized most of them. His pure soul longed for devotion to God, so he went out to the wilderness and became a monk at the Monastery of Saint Macarius. After several years, he was ordained a priest, then went to the region of Singar and secluded himself in a cave there for more than twenty years, striving greatly in spiritual struggle. His virtues became well known, and he was chosen for the patriarchal throne. He assumed it on 12 Babah in the year 809 A.M. (October 9, 1092 A.D.) after affirming the true faith and pledging to visit the clergy of Alexandria and its churches with special care and to avoid simony (this term is taken from Simon the sorcerer, who, according to the Acts of the Apostles, wanted to buy the gifts of the Holy Spirit with silver).
He restored what the previous Pope, Abd al-Masih, had usurped for himself from the churches (the Hanging Church, Marcurius Abu Seifin, the Virgin Mary in the Roman Quarter, the Archangel Michael in Giza, then the Monastery of the Wax and the Monastery of Pottery).
He led a virtuous and chaste patriarchal life, acquiring neither dirhams nor dinars. Whatever income he received from the monasteries assigned to him, he lived on a little of it, and spent the greater part on feeding the poor and needy. He also paid taxes on behalf of those unable to pay. He renewed many vessels and books for the churches from his own money. He was diligent in preaching and teaching the people. When he completed his course, he delivered his spirit into the hands of the Lord whom he loved. His total patriarchal life was nine years, seven months, and seventeen days. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
The Departure of Saint Phorus the Apostle, One of the Seventy
On this day, the Apostle Phorus, one of the seventy apostles, departed. This apostle served the Lord Jesus Christ for three years, and after His ascension, he served the pure disciples and was filled with the grace of the Comforter. Then he served Paul and carried his letters to many countries, teaching many Jews and Gentiles and baptizing them. He traveled throughout the east and west of the country and endured many hardships and sorrows. Then he departed in peace. May his blessings be with us, and glory be to our Lord forever. Amen.