List of Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch

1 St. Peter the Apostle 37-67
2 St. Evodius 67-68
3 St. Ignatios I Nurono (the Illuminator) 68-107
4 St. Heron 107-127
5 St. Korneilos 127-154
6 St. Heros 154-169
7 St. Theophilos 169-182
8 St. Maximos I 182-191
9 St. Seraphion 191-211
10 St. Ascelpiadis the Confessor 211-220
11 Philitus 220-231
12 Zbina 231-237
13 St. Babulas the Martyr 237-251
14 Fabius 254-551
15 S. Demetrianos 254-260
16 Paul I of Samosate 260-268
17 Domnus I 268-273
18 Timos 273-282
19 Cyrille I 283-303
20 Tyrannos 304-314
21 Vitalis 314-320
22 St. Philogone 320-323
23 Paulinos of Tyre 323-324
24 Ostatheous 324-337
The Arians took control of the See of Antioch and appointed the following Patriarchs
Eulalius 331-333
Euphornius 333-334
Philaclus 334-342
Stephanos 342-344
Leonce 344-357
Eudoxyos 358-359
Euzoios 360
25 Malatius 360-381
26 St. Flavin I 381-404
27 Porphyros 404-412
28 Alexander 412-417
29 Theodotos 417-428
30 John I 428-442
31 Domnus II 442-499
32 Maximos II 449-455

Maximos abdicated and the Chalcedonians seized control over the See of Antioch and appointed the following Patriarchs:
Basil 456-458
Aqaq 458-459
33 Martoros 459-468
34 Peter II the Fuller (Qassar 468-488
35 Bladius 488-498
36 Flavin II 498-512
37 St. Severius the Great 512-538
The Chalcedonians took control of the See of Antioch in 518 and sent Mor Severius to exile and appointed the following Patriarchs whose line continues in the Byzantine (Rum/Antiochene Orthodox) Patriarchate
Paul the Jew 518-521
Euphrosius 521-528
Ephrem of Amid 528-546
Six years after the death of Mor Severius, Sargius of Tella became the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch.
38 Sargius of Tella 544-546
During this turbulent time, the Holy See remained vacant for 4 years.
39 Paul II the Black of Alexandria 550-575
He was deposed in 575 for joining the Chalcedonians. The Holy See remained vacant for the next few years.
40 Peter III of Raqqa 581-591
41 Julian I 595-591
42 Athanasius I Gammolo 595-631
43 John II of the Sedre 631-648
44 Theodore 649-667
45 Severius II bar Masqeh 667-681
46 Athanasius II 683-686
47 Julian II 686-708
48 Elias I 709-723
49 Athanasius III 724-740
50 Iwanis I 740-754
After the death of Iwanis, two Patriarchs were appointed at the behest of the Caliph:
51 George I 758-790
52 Joseph 790-792
53 Quryaqos of Takrit 793-817
54 Dionysius I of Tellmahreh 817-845
55 John III 846-873
56 Ignatius II 878-883
57 Theodosius Romanos of Takrit 887-896
58 Dionysius II 897-909
59 John IV Qurzahli 910-922
60 Baselius I 923-935
61 John V 936-953
62 Iwanis II 954-957
63 Dionysius III 958-961
64 Abraham I 962-963
65 John VI Sarigta 965-985
66 Athanasius IV of Salah 986-1002
67 John VII bar `Abdun 1004-1033
68 Dionysius IV Yahya 1034-1044
Due to internal conflicts within the Church, the Holy See was vacant for the next few years.
69 John VIII 1049-1057
70 Athanasius V 1058 -1063
71 John IX bar Shushan 1063-1073
72 Baselius II 1074-1075
After the death of Baselius, John Abdun got himself appointed Patriarch and caused trouble in the Church. He was deposed but continued causing trouble until 1091
73 Dionysius V Lazaros 1077-1078
74 Iwanis III 1080-1082
75 Dionysius VI 1088-1090
76 Athanasius VI bar Khamoro 1091-1129
77 John X bar Mawdyono 1129-1137
78 Athanasius VII bar Qutreh 1138-1166
79 Michael I the Great 1166-1199
80 Athanasius VIII 1200-1207
81 John XI 1208-1220
82 Ignatius III David 1222-1252
83 John XII bar Ma`dani 1252-1263
84 Ignatius IV Yeshu 1264-1282
85 Philoxenos I Nemrud 1283-1292
86 Michael II 1292-1312
87 Michael III Yeshu 1312-1349
88 Baselius III Gabriel 1349-1387
89 Philoxenos II the Writer 1387-1421
90 Baselius IV Shem`un 1421-1444
91 Ignatius Behnam al-Hadli 1445-1454
92 Ignatius Khalaf 1455-1483
93 Ignatius John XIII 1483-1493
94 Ignatius Nuh of Lebanon 1493-1509
95 Ignatius Yeshu I 1509-1512
96 Ignatius Jacob I 1512-1517
97 Ignatius David I 1517-1520
98 Ignatius Abd-Allah I 1520-1557
99 Ignatius Ne`met Allah I 1557-1576
100 Ignatius David II Shah 1576-1591
101 Ignatius Pilate I 1591-1597
102 Ignatius Hadayat Allah 1597-1639
103 Ignatius Simon I 1640-1659
104 Ignatius Yeshu II Qamsheh 1659-1662
105 Ignatius Abdul Masih I 1662-1686
106 Ignatius George II 1687-1708
107 Ignatius Isaac Azar 1709-1722
108 Ignatius Shukr Allah II 1722-1745
109 Ignatius George III 1745-1768
110 Ignatius George IV 1768-1781
111 Ignatius Matthew 1782-1817
112 Ignatius Yunan 1817-1818
113 Ignatius George V 1819-1837
114 Ignatius Elias II 1838-1847
115 Ignatius Jacob II 1847-1871
116 Ignatius Peter IV 1872-1894
117 Ignatius Abdul Masih II 1895-1915
Patriarch Abdul Masih II was deposed by the Ottoman government in 1905; he was recognized by Orthodox Syriac Church of East as the lawful Patriarch until his death in 1915
118 Ignatius Abd Allah II 1906-1915
Rival Patriarch
119 Ignatius Elias III 1917-1932
120 Ignatius Afram I Barsoum 1933-1957
121 Ignatius Jacob III 1957-1980
122 Ignatius Zakka I Iwas 1980-

List of Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch

1 St. Peter the Apostle 37-67
2 St. Evodius 67-68
3 St. Ignatios I Nurono (the Illuminator) 68-107
4 St. Heron 107-127
5 St. Korneilos 127-154
6 St. Heros 154-169
7 St. Theophilos 169-182
8 St. Maximos I 182-191
9 St. Seraphion 191-211
10 St. Ascelpiadis the Confessor 211-220
11 Philitus 220-231
12 Zbina 231-237
13 St. Babulas the Martyr 237-251
14 Fabius 254-551
15 S. Demetrianos 254-260
16 Paul I of Samosate 260-268
17 Domnus I 268-273
18 Timos 273-282
19 Cyrille I 283-303
20 Tyrannos 304-314
21 Vitalis 314-320
22 St. Philogone 320-323
23 Paulinos of Tyre 323-324
24 Ostatheous 324-337
The Arians took control of the See of Antioch and appointed the following Patriarchs
Eulalius 331-333
Euphornius 333-334
Philaclus 334-342
Stephanos 342-344
Leonce 344-357
Eudoxyos 358-359
Euzoios 360
25 Malatius 360-381
26 St. Flavin I 381-404
27 Porphyros 404-412
28 Alexander 412-417
29 Theodotos 417-428
30 John I 428-442
31 Domnus II 442-499
32 Maximos II 449-455

Maximos abdicated and the Chalcedonians seized control over the See of Antioch and appointed the following Patriarchs:
Basil 456-458
Aqaq 458-459
33 Martoros 459-468
34 Peter II the Fuller (Qassar 468-488
35 Bladius 488-498
36 Flavin II 498-512
37 St. Severius the Great 512-538
The Chalcedonians took control of the See of Antioch in 518 and sent Mor Severius to exile and appointed the following Patriarchs whose line continues in the Byzantine (Rum/Antiochene Orthodox) Patriarchate
Paul the Jew 518-521
Euphrosius 521-528
Ephrem of Amid 528-546
Six years after the death of Mor Severius, Sargius of Tella became the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch.
38 Sargius of Tella 544-546
During this turbulent time, the Holy See remained vacant for 4 years.
39 Paul II the Black of Alexandria 550-575
He was deposed in 575 for joining the Chalcedonians. The Holy See remained vacant for the next few years.
40 Peter III of Raqqa 581-591
41 Julian I 595-591
42 Athanasius I Gammolo 595-631
43 John II of the Sedre 631-648
44 Theodore 649-667
45 Severius II bar Masqeh 667-681
46 Athanasius II 683-686
47 Julian II 686-708
48 Elias I 709-723
49 Athanasius III 724-740
50 Iwanis I 740-754
After the death of Iwanis, two Patriarchs were appointed at the behest of the Caliph:
51 George I 758-790
52 Joseph 790-792
53 Quryaqos of Takrit 793-817
54 Dionysius I of Tellmahreh 817-845
55 John III 846-873
56 Ignatius II 878-883
57 Theodosius Romanos of Takrit 887-896
58 Dionysius II 897-909
59 John IV Qurzahli 910-922
60 Baselius I 923-935
61 John V 936-953
62 Iwanis II 954-957
63 Dionysius III 958-961
64 Abraham I 962-963
65 John VI Sarigta 965-985
66 Athanasius IV of Salah 986-1002
67 John VII bar `Abdun 1004-1033
68 Dionysius IV Yahya 1034-1044
Due to internal conflicts within the Church, the Holy See was vacant for the next few years.
69 John VIII 1049-1057
70 Athanasius V 1058 -1063
71 John IX bar Shushan 1063-1073
72 Baselius II 1074-1075
After the death of Baselius, John Abdun got himself appointed Patriarch and caused trouble in the Church. He was deposed but continued causing trouble until 1091
73 Dionysius V Lazaros 1077-1078
74 Iwanis III 1080-1082
75 Dionysius VI 1088-1090
76 Athanasius VI bar Khamoro 1091-1129
77 John X bar Mawdyono 1129-1137
78 Athanasius VII bar Qutreh 1138-1166
79 Michael I the Great 1166-1199
80 Athanasius VIII 1200-1207
81 John XI 1208-1220
82 Ignatius III David 1222-1252
83 John XII bar Ma`dani 1252-1263
84 Ignatius IV Yeshu 1264-1282
85 Philoxenos I Nemrud 1283-1292
86 Michael II 1292-1312
87 Michael III Yeshu 1312-1349
88 Baselius III Gabriel 1349-1387
89 Philoxenos II the Writer 1387-1421
90 Baselius IV Shem`un 1421-1444
91 Ignatius Behnam al-Hadli 1445-1454
92 Ignatius Khalaf 1455-1483
93 Ignatius John XIII 1483-1493
94 Ignatius Nuh of Lebanon 1493-1509
95 Ignatius Yeshu I 1509-1512
96 Ignatius Jacob I 1512-1517
97 Ignatius David I 1517-1520
98 Ignatius Abd-Allah I 1520-1557
99 Ignatius Ne`met Allah I 1557-1576
100 Ignatius David II Shah 1576-1591
101 Ignatius Pilate I 1591-1597
102 Ignatius Hadayat Allah 1597-1639
103 Ignatius Simon I 1640-1659
104 Ignatius Yeshu II Qamsheh 1659-1662
105 Ignatius Abdul Masih I 1662-1686
106 Ignatius George II 1687-1708
107 Ignatius Isaac Azar 1709-1722
108 Ignatius Shukr Allah II 1722-1745
109 Ignatius George III 1745-1768
110 Ignatius George IV 1768-1781
111 Ignatius Matthew 1782-1817
112 Ignatius Yunan 1817-1818
113 Ignatius George V 1819-1837
114 Ignatius Elias II 1838-1847
115 Ignatius Jacob II 1847-1871
116 Ignatius Peter IV 1872-1894
117 Ignatius Abdul Masih II 1895-1915
Patriarch Abdul Masih II was deposed by the Ottoman government in 1905; he was recognized by Orthodox Syriac Church of East as the lawful Patriarch until his death in 1915
118 Ignatius Abd Allah II 1906-1915
Rival Patriarch
119 Ignatius Elias III 1917-1932
120 Ignatius Afram I Barsoum 1933-1957
121 Ignatius Jacob III 1957-1980
122 Ignatius Zakka I Iwas 1980-

Egypt is our home and birthright

Friday 20 Jul 2012

Victor Salama - Robeir al-Faris - Nader Shukry

Last week, the door was closed for voter registration of the some 2600-member electoral body that will elect the 118th patriarch for the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Church sources say that the final voter lists are expected to be announced within the week, after which contestations against any of the nominees for the papacy will be accepted for the duration of two weeks.
Voting for the new patriarch is expected to take place next October. Diaspora Copts will vote in the Egyptian embassies in their respective countries.

Watani talks to Anba Pachomeus
Anba Pachomeus, Archbishop of Beheira and Pentapolis, holds the position of acting patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church at a time that is very critical for the Church and for Egypt. He has been charged with the responsibility of serving the Church in this capacity in the wake of the death of Pope Shenouda III last March.
Pope Shenouda was a charismatic figure famous for his exceptional wisdom and for the affection in which he held the Coptic Church and congregation, an affection that was warmly reciprocated. Once he passed away, the Copts grieved for him with a heartache that came out of a genuine feeling of having been orphaned.

The second most senior
Anba Pachomeus is the second most senior bishop in the Coptic Church. Tradition has it that the most senior bishop should act as locum tenens, acting patriarch, to manage the Church and its affairs until a new patriarch is elected. The most senior bishop, however, is Anba Mikhail of Assiut who declined the post on grounds of his ailing health.
Anba Pachomeus has proved to be the comforting, soothing figure the Copts needed so much during their deep grief but, more importantly, he has displayed wisdom and strength that almost rival that of the late pope. His presence has had the miraculous effect of reassuring Copts that the Church is in good hands and possesses the figures that can handle its future, especially throughout the political turmoil and uncertain times that Egypt is undergoing.
Anba Pachomeus spoke to Watani about the current situation in Egypt and about the process of choosing a new pope. As nominations have poured in for names to shoulder the responsibility of the new patriarch, Anba Pachomeus has been adamant in declining the nomination himself. He insists that he sees his role as that of guiding the Church during these turbulent times until he can hand it over to a new patriarch elected by the people and divinely selected.
The by-laws for the election of a patriarch for the Coptic Church were issued in 1957, and stipulate that a select electoral body of Coptic laity and clergy should elect three names from among a short list of nominees for the post. These three names are placed on the altar during Holy Mass and a draw is held. The name that comes out will be that of the new pope.

Changing the by-laws
Watani spoke to Anba Pachomeus about the expectations of the Coptic community as regards the 1957 by-laws, which are widely seen to be no longer adequate for the present time and much in need of changes and updates. Anba Pachomeus approached the interview in true Christian self-denial, insisting he was the one who needed a lesson.
“I would like to know the pulse of the Egyptian street,” he said, “how the congregation sees matters.”
He said that indeed the 1957 by-laws did include items that were not suitable today. It is common knowledge that the standards through which the electoral body is chosen need to be amended, since the congregation has grown in number and has spread over the entire world, which was not the case back in 1957. Relations with the Ethiopian Church have changed, so items that relate to Ethiopia need amendment.
“We had to choose between two options,” Anba Pachomeus said. “Whether to elect a new patriarch according to the 1957 by-laws and try to get around the deficiencies, or to leave the papal seat vacant until the by-laws can be amended. Considering the current political turbulence in Egypt, this process may have been unduly prolonged. We opted for the first alternative.”
Anba Pachomeus noted, however, that the Holy Synod had decided to agree with the new pope that he would pledge to work to start changes to the 1957 by-laws within a year from his accession.

No fears
Some in the Coptic congregation have expressed fears that the papal elections committee, which is charged with short-listing the 17 nominees for the papacy down to0033 33bako,yos.jpg seven or five from among whom the electorate may elect three, may decline to exclude the senior bishop nominees from the list.
“I assure you the committee will favour no one unfairly, young or old, monk or bishop,” Anba Pachomeus said firmly. “They will just obey their Christian conscience before God.”
Asked if suspended bishops will have the right to vote, Anba Pachomeus replied that he had recently taken a decision to look into the cases of the bishops suspended by the Holy Synod under Pope Shenouda III. Among them are Anba Amonius of Luxor, Anba Takla of Dishna, Anba Matthias of Mahalla, and Anba Danial of Sydney. In reply to the question, he said that they had every right to vote, since they are still members of the Holy Synod. Only non-Egyptian bishops do not have that right, he said.
Recent events have been uppermost in the minds of Copts. So can the election of a new pope be influenced by Egypt’s new president? Anba Pachomeus stressed that the election was a purely Church affair and had nothing to do with anything else.

Mood of rebellion
“How about inevitable comparison between the new pope with the charismatic Pope Shenouda?” Watani asked.
“Any comparison with Pope Shenouda will depend on the new leadership and the response by the congregation,” Anba Pachomeus said. “The new pastor should work with love for everyone. We pray for a new pastor filled with the Holy Spirit to continue along the path of Pope Shenouda.”
“With the current mood of rebellion in Egypt, is it possible in your opinion that young Copts would revolt against the new patriarch if he takes decisions they disapprove of?” Watani asked.
“That is not what the Church is about,” Anba Pachomeus replied. “Relations within the Church community are more comparable to family relations where differences are settled with understanding, dialogue and love. Children rebel against a father only when all channels of dialogue are blocked. This cannot be the case in Church where differences are discussed and settled in agreement between pastors and congregation.”

Decision on divorce
“But there is a problem with Copts who demand more lenient measures for divorce, and who demand a return to the now-defunct 1938 Coptic family by-laws? Watani asked. “Have you met representatives of this group? And is there any chance that the new pope might reinstate the 1938 bylaws?”
“My door is open to everyone,” Anba Pachomeus said. “But no one has come to see me about that problem. All I received was a memorandum directed to the Coptic Orthodox Clerical Council which handles problems of divorce or marriage annulment.
“The new pope has no right to go back on the annulment decision, since this was a decision by the Holy Synod, not by the previous pope. The new pope has to refer it to the Holy Synod.
“All decisions taken by Pope Shenouda III are still in force. This applies also to his decision that Copts should not go to Jerusalem for pilgrimage unless and until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is peacefully resolved. No papal decisions may be revoked except by the new pope.”

Should Copts leave?
Watani asked Anba Pachomeus what he thought of the prevalent notion that, under Islamist rule, Copts would be better off leaving Egypt and attempting to emigrate to some other country where they would be safer.
“I totally disagree with that,” Anba Pachomeus said. “Egypt is our homeland; it is beautiful and peaceful despite everything. Egypt is the only country that was visited by Jesus Christ; it has been always a place of prosperity. Egypt has a rich spiritual heritage; it is the land of saints and martyrs. We should not leave it under any condition.”



WATANI International
22 July 2012

EOC Patriarch discusses with Egyptian President

Photo courtesy of Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa, July 16/2012: Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) Abune Paulos discussed on different issues with the Egyptian President Dr. Mohammed Morsi .

According to a statement the Patriarchate Office of the EOC sent to ENA Monday, Abune Paulos on the occasion said the governments of Ethiopia and Egypt need to work jointly in all sectors to fulfill the interests of the peoples of the two countries.

President Morsi on his part announced plan to work in collaboration with the Ethiopian government.

The President lauded contribution of the Patriarch in the efforts to maintain peace and stability across the world.

EOC and the Egyptian Coptic Church significantly contribute to the historic relation between the two countries, President Morsi said.

courtesy: Ethiopian News Agency

Coptic Church committee to discuss papal candidates

The Holy Synod, the Coptic Church's highest authority, will hold a meeting on Thursday to discuss papal nominees; Church to send acting-Pope's name to Egypt's de facto leader Tantawi for approval

Ahram Online, Thursday 22 Mar 2012

The highest authority of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod, which is comprised of 120 archbishops, is due to hold a meeting Thursday to discuss the appointment of a new pope.

According to the Coptic Orthodox tradition, candidates for the papacy - whether a bishop, a patriarch, or a priest - must be a monk who is at least 40 years old and has served for over 15 years in the monastic order.

The candidates are nominated by members of the Holy Synod, the Monks Synod, the Melli Council, the dioceses as well as the Coptic Councils in the People's Assembly and the Shura Council.

Each nominee must guarantee the support of at least 12 members of the Holy Synod.

Following an election, the names of the three candidates with the most votes are written on pieces of paper and placed in a box. A child, of no more than nine years of ages, must pick a slip with their eyes closed.

According to Anba Youannis, secretary to the late Pope Shenouda III, the church will also send the name of the acting-pope, Archbishop Anba Pachomeus of Beheira, to Field Marshal Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF), following Thursday's Holy Synod meeting. According to Egyptian law, the president of Egypt - in this case the ruling military council - must accredit the Church's choice for both an interim and permanent pope.

In accordance with Coptic election law, Archbishop Anba Pachomeus was appointed as the Church's transitional leader because he is the oldest bishop who was willing to undertake the role.

After Pope Shenouda III passed away on Saturday the eldest bishop, Bishop Mikhail of Assiut, who was consecrated in 1946, declined the position.

Consequently Archbishop Pachomeus, who was consecrated in 1971 and is the second eldest member of the Holy Synod, became acting patriarch until a new pope is elected.

It is expected that the new pope will be elected within two months.

Ahram Online

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III laid to rest

Cairo -- Hundreds of clergy and officials packed St Mark's Cathedral in Cairo for the funeral service of Pope Shenouda III, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, who died aged 88 after a long battle with illness.

henouda 's body, dressed in robes and a gold crown, lay in an open coffin as Coptic hymns filled the huge cathedral in central Cairo, where thousands massed outside to pay their respects, on Tuesday.

The funeral prayers were led by the patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abuna Paulos, who flew in from Addis Ababa for the service.

"Because he is resting, does not mean we have lost him," Abuna Paulos said.

Clergy from around the world and officials, including ministers, MPs and public figures including prominent Coptic tycoon Naguib Sawiris, in tears, attended the service amid emotional scenes, aired live on television.

Crowds waited outside, some all night, for a chance to attend the service, which officials had said would be by invitation only.

At one point, the gate to the cathedral compound was opened, causing a stampede into the courtyard, as church officials scrambled to closed the doors again.

A day of national mourning was declared on Tuesday to mark the death of the leader of the Middle East's largest Christian community.

Flags were flown at half mast around the country, and an unprecedented security plan has been put in place in the capital and in the Nile Delta province of Beheira where Shenuda will be buried in the 4th century St Bishoy monastery.

Courtesy: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Egypt

The body of the Pope would be buried at of Egypt's St Bishoy Monastery, in line with the late pope's last will and testament. The monastery is situated along the Cairo-Alexandria desert road in northern Egypt's Wadi Al-Natroun region.

Pope Shenouda's body was in full papal regalia on the seat of St Mark since his death but late on Monday the corpse was laid in an open casket.

15:25 Several thousands mourners are waiting for the military plane carrying the body of Pope Shenouda III to arrive at St Bishoy Monastery in Wadi Al-Natroun region, where the late patriarch will be laid to rest. Some public figures are among the mourners, such as presidential hopeful Hamdeen Sabahi.

14:00 One of the bishops at St Bishoy Monastery in Wadi Al-Natroun where the Pope Shenouda III is set to be buried told Al-Jazeera TV, "We have nothing for the late Pope but love and appreciation, it was him who established the Monastery and developed it … He was a father, a friend and a true friend."

13:50 Al-Jazeera TV shows live footage of hundreds of Coptic Egyptians waiting for the military plane carrying the body of Pope Shenouda III to arrive at St Bishoy Monastery where the late patriarch will be laid to rest.

13:40 A Coptic student, Mina, 24, said, "I think it is important that Muslims are here at the funeral. Like the Copts we are all here because everyone is sad as the Pope was a good man to all. So they should come and pay their respects."

13:30 "The fact that he refused to go Al-Quds unless the Muslims were allowed, this is enough for us to respect him," Mohamed, a 57-year-old Muslim from Cairo who works as civil service clerk, told Ahram Online.

"I love him because he makes us feel like the Christians and Muslims are truly one. On January 25, 2011, he wasn't saying we are Muslim or Christian, he said we are Egyptian, we shouldn't believe the lies that there is hatred, we shouldn't recognise the lie that there are the differences between us."

13:25 An Ahram Online reporter reports seeing a banner that reads, "Muslims came in millions to respect you Christians."

Hind, a 21-year-old Muslim student who came with her mother Amal, 56-year-old housewife, said, "I am here for the funeral, we are all Egyptians whether we Muslim or Christian, we are all sad. Everyone loved him, he was a good and caring person to Muslim people as well. As a person, he mediated between us all, he was important. We should respect each other."

13:20 Groups of mourners in front of the Cathedral are set to head to the St Bishoy Monastery situated along the Cairo-Alexandria desert road in Wadi Al-Natroun region, northern Egypt, where the body of Pope Shenouda III will be buried.

13:15 The body of pope Shenouda is en route to Almaza military airport in Cairo where it is expected to be flown by a military helicopter to Wadi-Al Natroun where the pope will be laid to. Egyptian state TV showed tens of mourners are waiting there holding up pictures of the late Pope. Security forces are protecting the premises from the crowds of people.

13:06 According to the Twitter account of Bishop Angaelos, the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, the vehicle that has carried the pope out of the Cathedral is an ambulance.

13:05 The casket carrying the pope's body has left the Catherdral and that crowds of thousands of people are running after the vehicle carrying the Pope's body. The crowds are chanting "Oh, God".

12:55 Al-Jazeera English TV reported that hundreds of mourners are waiting for the pope's body to arrive at St Bishoy Monastery, where the corpse will be buried as per his will. The Monastery is situated along the Cairo-Alexandria desert road in northern Egypt's Wadi Al-Natroun region.

12:50 The casket carrying the body of the late pope has just been carried out of the Cathedral surrounded by crowds trying to touch it for a last time.

12:45 Bishop Grace Bishoy, secretary of the Holy Synod, a potential candidate for the position of the next Pope, also thanked ambassadors who attended the funeral to offer condolences, including those from the US, England, France and Canada as well as representatives from the Vatican.

12:42 Bishop Grace Bishoy thanked Grand Imam of Al-Azhar for sending a delegation from Egypt's official Islamic institution to present condolences to the Cathedral.

12:39 Bishop Grace Bishoy, secretary of the Holy Synod also expressed gratitude for attending to interim Prime Minister Kamal El-Ganzouri, his predecessor Essam Sharaf, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Saad El-Katatni.

12:35 Bishop Grace Bishoy, secretary of the Holy Synod, thanked Field Marshal and de-facto president Hussein Tantawi and Chief of Staff Sami Anan for their condolences' messages to the church.

12:27 Grace Bishoy, secretary of the Holy Synod, is asking those present for silence as he thanks those present for attending, including international governmental figures.

12:25 People inside the Cathedral are devastated as the casket is moving. Interim Pope Pakhomious said: "He is our teacher, we say goodbye to him till we meet in paradise. His departure is really hard … He made a great impact on the [Egyptian] Church and the whole world. We shall never forget what he did to the Church. Words cannot express how painful his demise is."

12:23 People of all ages are visibly devastated and are throwing flowers at his casket.

12:22 The casket is now being carried through the Cathedral by Church figures, while people are shouting out 'We love you, Father.' The casket is moving slowly

12:21 The casket carrying the body of late Pope Shenouda III has been closed for the final time while mourners are stretching their hands to reach it and many people are waving.

12:20 Several priests cannot reach the body of the late Pope, and so are kissing the casket in turn.

12:15 Prayers appear to be close to an end. People inside the cathedral recite hymns while standing up, some are growing emotional. The pope is still in an open casket surrounded by priests holding candles, incense and crosses while reciting chants.

12:10 Several people from Delta and Upper Egyptian governorates traveled to Cairo trying to attend the funeral inside the Cathedral but were unable to enter. They told Ahram Online, "The Pope was a godfather for Copts. We are devastated."

12:08 Bishop Pefnotios of Samalot read out the late Pope's letter, in which he wrote, "I am your father…preserve peace and keep in touch with your loved ones, instigate good deeds and do not let yourselves stray from your way."

12:07 A letter from Pope Shenouda has been read at his funeral by Bishop Pefnotios of Samlot. The late pope meant for it to be read after his death.

12:05 One Coptic mourner told an Ahram Online reporter he was worried about the prospects of an Islamist president, as the late Pope "did everything to protect us as Copts."

11:54 Thousands of men and women watching the screen outside the Cathedral are shedding tears as the prayers are coming to an end, according to an Ahram Online correspondent.

11:52 I came from Assiut yesterday just for the funeral, I tried to see the Pope but they didn't let me in, the crowds were huge. I am so sad, he was a father for us. We don't know how the situation will be for us Copts in the future, we must see who the new president is and what is written in the constitution. If we have a Salafist or an Muslim Brotherhood president this will not be good for us and they may disregard us and our needs. But we have faith that everything is going to be alright,' Ashraf Shukrallah, 38, a Coptic air conditioning unit installer from Assiut in Upper Egypt told Ahram Online.

11:50 Mohamed Saad El-Katatni, speaker of the People's Assembly, is among the attendees.

11:40 Long and mournful tune of Agios is now being sung by Ibrahim Ayad and the chorus, many of whom are tearing up.

11:37 Hamdi Badeen, head of the military police and member of the SCAF, has just entered the Cathedral along with other top military figures.

11:35 An Ahram Online reporter speaks with a 63-year-old woman who is crying because she has failed to get inside the Cathedral like many others. She is praying for Pope Shenouda to let her enter the Church hall.

11:30 Menya Governorate Bishop Arthanious has recited the Pauline Epistle prayers in Coptic and Arabic. Later, leading deacon in the Cathedral Ibrahim Ayad prayed for God to "forgive our sins and have mercy upon our souls."

11:28 I came yesterday from Meniya city, I slept overnight in Cairo. I came all this way because I felt I should attend this funeral, because of my religion, because he was a great man. I am extremely sad, the whole world is sad. He was God's man and the godfather of the Copts; his dealings with politics are extremely important, for everyone, not just for Copts." Mohsin, 50, a Coptic plumber told Ahram Online outside the Cathedral.

11:25 An angry crowd is shouting at deacons supervising organisation, as mourners face closed doors. An Ahram Online reporter confirmed that no physical engagements have taken place but the mourners slam doors, sometimes using stones.

11:22 According to an Ahram Online reporters many outside wave goodbye whenever Baba Shenouda appears on screen.

11:15 Ibrahim Ayad, a leading deacon in the Cathedral, led chanting.

11:12 Official prayers are ongoing in Coptic. A host of some of Egypt's most prominent Deacons are leading prayers for the late pope in Coptic.

11:07 A group of military figures including SCAF member Mahmoud Hegazy have just entered the Cathedral, although all doors had been earlier closed.

11:05 International and Egyptian Catholic and Protestant religious figures are inside the Cathedral among the attendees paying respect to the late pope.

11:00 Military police have closed all the doors of the Cathedral earlier, according to an Ahram Online reporter, and even invitation holders are unable to access the funeral service inside. Many mourners who have come Upper Egyptian governorates such as Qena and Assuit are infuriated and are slamming some of the doors.

10:58 Presidential hopeful and former Mubarak prime minister Ahmed Shafiq is at the church attending the mass for the late Pope Shenouda III.

10:55 Presidential hopeful and Judge Hisham El-Bastawisy, Chairman of Wafd Party Sayed Badawy,Wafd party leading figure Fouad Badrawy and Islamic preacher Amr Khaled are among the attendees inside the Cathedral, as well as some members of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and Islamic scholars from Al-Azhar.

10:50 Egyptian Bishop Pakhomious of Beheira is now leading the prayers for the late Pope.

10:48 An Ahram Online reporter describe near the Cathedral says many mourners who failed to enter the church are holding placards bearing photos of the Pope and shedding tears. Outside the Cathedral, there is a large screen on which mourners can watch the funeral.

10:47 'He was like a father for us, he lives with us and we live with him. He teaches us how to believe in God and how to be good Christians. He touched not only people in Egypt but people from outside Egypt too; today people came from all over the world to pay their respects, Christian or not. The Church has given people peace and spirit; I believe the new pope will have the same spirit to continue Pope Shenouda's work,' Abraham, a Coptic priest at a church in Ain Shams suburb of Cairo, told Ahram Online.

10:46 An Ahram Online reporter spotted veteran Egyptian actress Elham Shaheen outside the cathedral. The actress and many others have failed to enter the church.

10:45 Presidential hopeful Abdel Monem Abul Fotouh is among the attendees at the Cathedral.

10:40 The Syrian Orthodox Church delegation, headed by Mar Ignatious Zakka, took its turn to pray for Pope Shenouda III. The prayers at the moment are being performed by guests, while the official prayers are yet to start and will be performed by the Egyptian Church.

10:38 "We are devastated, for 40 years he was doing the right thing for Egypt and for the Coptic community. He knew how to mediate between Muslims and Christians. Even internationally he was always good with the people. There was lots of pressure on him, but he always came through. Egypt is a place that lives inside us not a place where we live. His most famous words were 'God is here, everything should be goodness and everything will end well.'" Samra, 65, Shubra, Copt, retired clerk at the ministry of justice told Ahram Online.

10: 35 Many of the doors of the Cathedral are closed according to Ahram Online reporters to avoid stampedes and organise the crowd as the numbers are estimated at hundreds of thousands. The son of late president Gamal Abdel-Nasser, Abdel Hakim, is among the attendees inside. Coptic business tycoon Naguib Sawiris is sitting in the front row next to the casket.

10:30 According to an Ahram Online reporter, all main streets have been blocked by military and police forces who are only allowing invitation holders to pass. Those without invitations will have to take detours to reach the cathedral.

10:20 Guest Prayers are underway in the cathedral as Pope Shenouda III's body lie in an open casket. Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is giving a speech to bid farewell for his late counterpart. He said Shenouda is sitting with the angels and is praying for us.

10:10 Inside the Cathedral, thousands of politicians religious leaders and public figures are paying respect to the late Pope as hymns are being recited. Prime Minister Kamal El-Ganzouri, his predecessor Essam Sharaf, Coptic big screen star Hany Ramzy, Islamic preacher Amr Khlaed and Tourism Minister Mounir Fakri Abdel are among the attendees.
Courtesy:http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/37164/Egypt/Politics-/Live-Updates-Funeral-of-Pope-Shenouda-III-at-Abbas.aspx

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III passes away

CAIRO, Egypt — Pope Shenouda III, the patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, died March 17 at his residence in St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo. He was 88.

The state news agency MENA reported his death. He had suffered from cancer and liver and lung problems for several years.

His death comes as the country’s estimated 10 million Christians are feeling more vulnerable than ever amid the rise of Islamic movements to political power after the toppling a year ago of President Hosni Mubarak. The months since have seen a string of attacks on the community, heightened anti-Christian rhetoric by ultraconservatives known as Salafis and fears that coming goverments will try to impose strict versions of Islamic law.

Tens of thousands of Christians packed into the main Coptic cathedral in Cairo on Saturday evening hoping to see his body. Women in black wept and screamed. Some, unable to get into the overcrowded building, massed outside, raising their hands in prayer.

“He left us in a very hard time. Look at the country and what’s happening now,” said Mahrous Munis, a Christian IT worker in his 30s who was among the crowds. “Copts are in a worse situation than before. God be with us.”

Munis’ friend, Sherif Sabry, interrupted. “He was our rock. God help us find someone who can fill his place.”

An archbishop later announced to the crowd that the funeral would be held in three days, and in the meantime Shenouda’s body would be put on display in the cathedral, sitting in the Mar Morqos — or St. Mark — throne from which the pope in his elaborate regalia traditionally oversaw services.

Shenouda died in his residence at the cathedral, and the state news agency MENA said he had been battling liver and lung problems for several years. Yasser Ghobrial, a physician who treated Shenouda at a Cairo hospital in 2007, said he suffered from prostate cancer that spread to his colon and lungs.
U.S. President Barack Obama paid tribute to Shenouda as “an advocate for tolerance and religious dialogue.” “We will remember Pope Shenouda III as a man of deep faith, a leader of a great faith, and an advocate for unity and reconciliation,” Obama said in a statement issued by the White House. “His commitment to Egypt’s national unity is also a testament to what can be accomplished when people of all religions and creeds work together.”

“Baba Shenouda,” as he was known to his followers, headed one of the most ancient churches in the world. The Coptic Church traces its founding to St. Mark, who is said to have brought Christianity to Egypt in the 1st Century.

For Egypt’s Christians, he was a charismatic leader, known for his sense of humor — his smiling portrait was hung in many Coptic homes and shops — and a deeply conservative religious thinker who resisted calls by liberals for reform.

Above all, many Copts saw him as the guardian of their community living amid a Muslim majority in this country of more than 80 million people. Christians have long complained of being treated as second-class citizens, saying they face discrimination and that police generally fail to prosecute those behind anti-Christian attacks.

The Supreme Military Council has granted Coptic Christians a three day holiday to enable them to pay their respects to His Holiness.

The embalmed body of His Holiness, fully vested in pontifical vestments, had been transferred to St. Mark’s Cathedral and is seated on his throne. The staff of the Papal Residence have been admitted before the general public come to bid farewell to the Pope.

The Sunday morning Liturgy is being celebrated in St. Mark’s Cathedral with the body of His Holiness presiding from the throne. Metropolitan Bakhomious of Beheira is the principal celebrant.

Update 11.37am: Bishop Moussa told mourners at the cathedral that Pope Shenouda would be buried at the Bishoy Monastery after the funeral in Cairo on Tuesday at 11am.

Update: 12pm: Abba Seraphim will be attending a Monday Liturgy. Tuesday is the Pope’s funeral, followed by reception of condolences from the government and religious visitors. The Synod will meet again on Thursday.