Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, Azbakeya
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]
Also known as: Cathedral of Saint Mark at al-Azbakiyyah · Saint Mark's Cathedral, Azbakiyyah
Foundation
Saint Mark’s Cathedral stands in the Azbakeya district of Cairo, called al-Azbakiyyah.14 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.15
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). ... The building of the Cathedral of Saint Mark at al-Azbakiyyah was started toward the end of Mark's reign.
- 2.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.
- 3.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.
- 4.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 4 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 505)
HARIT AL-RUM, Coptic quarter in old Cairo and the residence of the Coptic patriarchs from John XVI (1676-1718) to Cyril IV (1854-1861), who moved the patriarchal seat to the Azbakiyyah quarter in modern Cairo.
- 5.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 758)
In the nineteenth century CYRIL IV (1854-1861) constructed Saint Mark's Cathedral in the Azbakiyyah district, and built a new patriarchal residence and his school in the same area.
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This article was drafted from the sources listed above with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor before publication.