Pope Mark VIII
Pope Mark VIII, the 108th patriarch of the See of Saint Mark (1796–1809), led the Coptic Church during the French occupation of Egypt and the rise of Muhammad ‘Ali. [^1]
Also known as: Mark VIII · Patriarch Mark VIII · Mark VIII of Alexandria
Patriarchate
Pope Mark VIII was the 108th patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, serving from 1796 to 1809. 1 He succeeded John XVIII and was followed by Peter VII. 2
His patriarchate encompassed the French Expedition of 1798 and the French occupation of Egypt, and continued into the rule of Muhammad ‘Ali, who became viceroy in 1805. Mark demonstrated wisdom and diplomacy in directing the affairs of the Coptic Church and community during these events. 1
Pastoral teaching
Mark VIII regularly issued encyclicals to be read in Coptic churches, urging the faithful to preserve traditional Christian doctrines and virtues. 3
Saint Mark’s Cathedral at al-Azbakiyyah
Construction of the Cathedral of Saint Mark at al-Azbakiyyah began toward the end of his patriarchate. 4
The authorization for the building was associated with Ibrahim al-Jawhari, the head of the scribes of Egypt. Ibrahim organized the pilgrimage to Mecca of one of the sultan’s ladies and presented her with valuable gifts. In appreciation, she offered to convey a request from him to the sultan; Ibrahim asked for a decree permitting the church’s construction, which was granted. 5
The building work was carried out during the time of Ibrahim’s brother, Jirjis al-Jawhari, who succeeded him in the diwan after his death. The cathedral stood on land belonging to General Ya‘qub and Malati Yusuf, and the area became the seat of the new patriarchate. 6
Succession
The future Pope Peter VII served in Cairo as a bishop general assisting Mark VIII. After Mark’s death in 1809, Peter was immediately chosen as his successor and enthroned. 7
References
Sources
- 1.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 465)
MARK VIII, 108th patriarch of the See of Saint Mark (1796-1809). He was able to steer the affairs of the Coptic church and the Coptic community with great wisdom and much diplomacy during the momentous events of the French Expedition (1798) and the French occupation of Egypt. He was still pope of the Coptic church when MUHAMMAD ‘ALI (1805-1848) became viceroy of Egypt.
- 2.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 542)
107. John XVIII 1769-1796 Antuniyus 108. Mark VIII 1796-1809 Antuniyus 109. Peter VII 1809-1852 Antuniyus
- 3.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 465)
Mark VIII made it a habit to issue regular encyclicals to be read in the Coptic churches, urging his people to maintain the traditional Christian doctrines and virtues at a time when many Copts were slipping into vicious customs.
- 4.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 465)
The building of the Cathedral of Saint Mark at al-Azbakiyyah was started toward the end of Mark's reign.
- 5.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 465)
The story of obtaining the decree authorizing that building from the Sublime Porte is associated with the name of the notable Copt IBRAHIM AL-JAWHARI, then the head of the scribes of the whole of Egypt. In his official capacity, he was able to organize the pilgrimage to Mecca of one of the sultan's ladies and in the meantime offered to her valuable presents. In recognition of his services, she asked him to submit a wish that she would carry to the sultan. Ibrahim at once requested a decree for building the church, which was immediately granted.
- 6.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 465)
The building, however, was carried out in the time of his 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 that area became the seat of the new patriarchate.
- 7.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 628)
PETER VII, 109th patriarch of the See of Saint Mark (1809-1852). He was born at al-Jawli, a small town near Manfalut in the province of Asyut, hence his cognomen al-Jawli. He entered Saint Antony's monastery (DAYR ANBA ANTUNIYUS) at an early age, and was later selected to become the metropolitan in Ethiopia. For some reason his formal consecration was postponed and, instead, he was raised to the rank of bishop general and remained in Cairo to assist MARK VIII (1796-1809). When the latter died shortly afterward, Peter was immediately chosen to succeed him, and was enthroned.
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