# Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, Azbakeya

Source: https://coptic-lore-forge.lovable.app/wiki/saint-mark-s-coptic-orthodox-cathedral-azbakeya — Coptic Orthodox Wiki (updated 2026-10-02)

Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo’s Azbakeya district is associated with the establishment of a patriarchal seat there; the supplied sources give differing accounts of its construction.[^1][^4][^5]

## Foundation

Saint Mark’s Cathedral stands in the Azbakeya district of Cairo, called al-Azbakiyyah.[^1][^4] Construction began toward the end of the patriarchate of Patriarch Mark VIII (1796–1809).[^1]

That entry associates permission to build with Ibrahim al-Jawhari, head of the scribes of Egypt. According to its account, Ibrahim organized the pilgrimage to Mecca of one of the sultan’s ladies and presented her with valuable gifts. When she offered to convey a request to the sultan in recognition of his services, Ibrahim requested authorization to build the church, which was granted.[^2]

Construction was carried out in the time of Ibrahim’s brother, Jirjis al-Jawhari, who succeeded him in the diwan after his death. The cathedral was built on land belonging to General Ya‘qub and Malati Yusuf, and the area became the seat of the new patriarchate.[^3]

## Patriarchal Significance and Construction Accounts

Harit al-Rum was the residence of the Coptic patriarchs from John XVI (1676–1718) to Cyril IV (1854–1861), and Cyril IV moved the patriarchal seat to Azbakeya.[^4] Cyril IV constructed Saint Mark’s Cathedral itself, together with a new patriarchal residence and his school in the same district.[^5]

The construction accounts therefore differ: one places the beginning of building toward the end of Mark VIII’s patriarchate, while another credits Cyril IV with constructing the cathedral. These passages do not explain how the two accounts relate to one another.[^1][^5]

## Sources
[^1]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 465)
[^2]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 465)
[^3]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 465)
[^4]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 4, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 505)
[^5]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 758)