The date is the Thirtith of the Coptic month of
Amshir .
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THE
HOLY MEMORY OF THE ETERNAL PASS AWAY OF THE TRIPLED BLESSED
SAINT
KYRILLOS THE SIXTH
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His
Christian name before entering the monastery was :
Azzer Yousef Atta. He was born on the 8th of August 1902 , in
Damanhour, to Christian parents , lovers of Church and Christian principals.
When he grew , it was his privilege to sit alone in his room and
concentrate on reading the Holy Bible and studying religious subjects and
Hymns. In July 1927 He decided to enter the monastery, so he resigned from
his good civil position and was enrolled in El
Baramous Monastery during the Era of Pope
Kyrillos the fifth.
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He
remained for several months under probation, till he was accepted by the
monastery leaders to join them as a monk . He was announced on the 17th of
Amshir ( 24th February 1928) under the name of MINA
EL-BARAMOSY . On the 18th of July 1928 he was appointed as
Highomenous MINA El_BARAMOUSY . He continued
for some time to study in the Coptic Faculty for Spiritual studies ( El
Eklerikia ) . When he heard that he was promoted by POPE JOUANES to be
appointed as a Church Bishop , he escaped to the monastery of Saint Shinouda
in Souhag . But when he was ordered by the Pope to return back , he declared
that he prefers to live in solitary. He was granted this request, under the
supervision of the Senior member of EL Baramous Monastery
Highomenous Abd El-Mesih El- Masoudy . He lived
in solitary in a cave , one hour-walking apart from the monastery .
At the beginning of 1936, he lived in a wind mill, in the desert of Old
Cairo, where he continued his daily prayers. In 1941 he was appointed as
Head of Monastery Saint Samuel in Al-Kalmun
Mountain near Maghagha. He renewed the monastery and its churches , built
rooms for the monks of the monastery . Lots of well known spiritual men were
his students in this monastery ( e.g. Father Andraws
El Samou’ily ) .
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In 1947, he moved to old Coptic Cairo, where he built the Church of Saint
Mina the Martyr , with the little money he received . He practiced building
by himself with the laborers. The elite of his students were appointed as
bishops in the same church. In 1949 he established a house for the living of
foreign students. He was known for his deep faith and continual worship .
Patients from every where in Egypt came to visit him, he prayed for their
healing . Because of his strong faith, God gave him the privilege of heeling
, during his life, and still after he passed away.
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The
Holy Spirit chose him to be the POPE OF ALEXANDRIA , on the 10th of May 1959
(2nd of Beshans 1675).
On 28th of June 1959 he appointed Artibishop Gathlik for
Ethiopia . A decree was held between both Egyptian and Ethiopian Churches to
persist holy love between them.
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In
November 1959 he laid the foundation stone of the Big Monastery of Saint
Mina in Mariuot Desert . A part of his Holy Relics was returned to the
monastery . A Cathedral and 3 churches were also built in the huge area of
the monastery .
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In January 1965 He ruled the Committee of Eastern Orthodox Churches in
Addis Ababa , which was the first (Masconic) and ( Non-Khalkadonic)
committee for the Eastern Churches held in the recent era. The committee
discussed important topics related to the Holy Services and Preaching in
this era , also the relation between the attendant churches and other
churches.
In the same year he upgraded the Big Cathedral of Saint Marcos in Cairo ,
which was built more than 100 years before , and decorated it with new
paintings.
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In
1967 He processed the holy Miron ,which was
considered a very important event, as it was the 26th turn in the history of
the Coptic Orthodox Church.
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On the 2nd of April 1968 , The Holy Virgin , Saint
Mary showed over the domes of Her Church of Zeitun in Cairo . It was
a great Holy announcement , unprecedented since the Holy Spirit held on the
Apostles fifty days after reprcussion . The Holy show was by huge
resurrection lights that could not be predicted by human beings. This Holly
Event dominated for several months, during which thousands of patients were
healed from their severe illness : The blind eyes opened, the crippled
walked, the evil spirits departed. God was glorified by all people of
different religions and nations who obtained sympathy and faith .
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In June 1968 Pope Kyrillos received the Holy Relics of
Saint Marcos after being absent from his land Egypt for more than
eleven centuries . The Holy Corpse was buried in a specially built grave ,
under the Alters of the Great New Cathedral of Saint
Reways built by The Pope and was opened in a great holy festival
attended by President Nasser and Emperor Hila Slasy of Ethiopia and
delegates from most of the world Churches .
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Pope Kyrillos the Sixth did not forget at any time that he is the poor monk
Mina the solitary . His meals were so poor and simple. Many days he lived on
dry bread and salt. In all his fastenings he used to have one single meal
after sunset and the Holy Service which he used to hold every day. His dress
was so simple. Slept very few hours.
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He continued his daily prayers , starting early in the morning, followed by
the Holy Service , praying in a low solemn voice, his head bent down , with
closed eyes. Many times he could not stop his tears from falling . He was so
humble , his door opened for any body who wanted to sit with him and talk
about his problems. He was a guide to many lost souls . So many were saved
by his prayers, so many were healed from their sickness, so many evil
spirits departed those they possessed with simple prayers coming from his
heart.
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He used to pray almost the whole day, from the early morning till the late
nights , in the church, in his room, during his meetings, during walking,
even during eating , concentrating his mind and heart on GOD ,It was truly
said that he is a man of prayers and miracles.
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He bore so many hard experiences , in and out the church . he was the man
for whom Saint Paul the Apostle said " All those who
want to live in purity with Jesus Christ are attacked " . But Hand of
God always saved him, none of those who opposed him ever won .
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When at
last The Almighty wanted to give an end to his sufferings, he was informed
several times in dreams and holy announcements, which he declared to his
intimates . He sickened shortly. On the day he passed out, he met some of
his followers, when the last person departed , he raised the cross, that was
always held in his hands and said " God shall guard
you " , He entered his bed room and passed away . He was buried under
the Alter of the new Cathedral.
His body was transferred in a great solemn festival to the
Monastery of Saint Mina the Martyr in Mariuot , following his will, to be
near the Great Saint, in a day when it rained and thundered in a way that
never happened before .
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Blessings of this Great Saint be with us.
Glory of God for ever, Amen.
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