Pope Shenouda III

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III

The 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark

Born: Aug 3, 1923

Ordained Pope: Nov 14, 1971

Departed March 17, 2012


From the land of the great ancient Egyptian civilization, the land visited by our Lord and the Holy Family, and from the line of renowned predecessors such as St. Mark the Apostle, St. Athanasius the Apostolic, and St. Cyril the Great, comes the author of the renaissance of the Coptic Orthodox Church: H.H. Pope Shenouda III.

A distinguished and prominent religious leader, a profound theologian, a gifted preacher, a talented author, a spiritual father, Pope Shenouda was a man of God his entire life.

His Holiness was born Nazeer Gayed on August 3, 1923, to a pious Christian family in Egypt. By the age of 16, H.H. was active in the Sunday school movement, which wrought to enrich Christian Education in the Coptic Orthodox Church.

When H.H. graduated from Cairo University, he joined the Coptic Orthodox Seminary, and upon graduation, joined the faculty of the seminary.

On July 18, 1954, H.H. chose the solitude of the Egyptian desert and the angelic life of monasticism over everything else, taking the example of St. Anthony the Great. As a monk, and later a monk-priest, His Holiness carried the name of the Christian monk and was known as Fr. Antonious El-Syriani.

Wishing to live in complete solitude and devotion to our Lord, he became a hermit and lived in a cave that he had carved out himself for a period of six years. On September 30, 1962, he was called by the late Pope Cyril VI to be consecrated Bishop of Christian Education and President of the Coptic Orthodox Theological Seminary. He was known as His Grace Bishop Shenouda. Through his leadership of the seminary, the number of students tripled.

On November 14, 1971, His Grace Bishop Shenouda was consecrated as His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. The unprecedented revival of the Coptic Church toward the second half of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century is one of the great historical events of world Christianity. This is directly due to the charismatic and dynamic leadership of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, who transformed the entire landscape of the Church.

1. Dynamic Preacher and Teacher
Of the many great qualities evident in the distinguished personality of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, one is most striking: His Holiness is an erudite teacher who has rightly been referred to as the St. John Chrysostom of the 21st century. In 1978, His Holiness was awarded the Browning Institute Prize for the Best Preacher in the World. His Holiness was known for his captivating skill in the use of words, as well as a certain deftness in exposition of the detail and interpretation of Scripture. His weekly sermons in Cairo (regularly attended by 8,000-10,000 people) and biweekly sermons in Alexandria were attended by thousands of people eager to hear and benefit from his nourishing words. The weekly Wednesday sermon was one of the most joyful sights of the Christian world at the beginning of the 21st century. It has no equivalent and no equal either in or outside Egypt. “I shall give you shepherds according to my heart who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15). These prophetic words are most evident in the edifying preaching and teaching of Pope Shenouda.

2. Author and Poet
As a renowned theologian and scriptural scholar, His Holiness was a prolific writer. His Holiness is the author of 123 books on a variety of scriptural, doctrinal and spiritual topics and 28 poems. Some of these poems have become popular Christian hymns sung in our churches. His Holiness was also Editor-in-Chief of the bi-weekly magazine El Keraza.

3. Ecumenical Relations
His Holiness Pope Shenouda is well known for his deep commitment to Christian unity. Over the past four decades His Holiness has invested tremendous time and effort to enhance the relationship of the Coptic Orthodox Church with other Churches in three principal areas: theological dialogue, constructing bridges of love, and participation in ecumenical bodies and conferences. His Holiness initiated dialogue with the Eastern Orthodox Churches (1985), the Roman Catholic Church (1973), the Anglican Church (1985), the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (1993) and the Lutheran Church (2005). In recognition of this work, His Holiness was elected president of the WCC (World Council of Churches) (1991-1998) and for 3 consecutive terms of the MECC (Middle East Council of Churches) (1994-2007). Pope Shenouda hosted the first meeting of Heads of Oriental Orthodox Churches of the Middle East in 1998 and a standing committee was established to follow up the meetings. His Holiness always emphasizes that Christian unity must be built on unity of faith not jurisdiction.

4. The Monastic Life
Within the heart of His Holiness is a deep love for monasticism. In 1948 he wrote: “Alone am I in the desert minding my own affairs; I have a cave in the crevasse of the hill that I have hidden and I will leave it one day, dwelling where I know not.” The depth of the monastic life as evident in the life of the ascetic Pope has been reflected in the monastic revival initiated by His Holiness over the last forty years. The number of monasteries in Egypt increased from 9 in 1971 to 26 in 2009. Abroad there are monasteries in America (2), Australia (2), Europe (2), South Africa (1), Kenya (1), Sudan (2) and Jerusalem (1). Every week His Holiness retired to the Monastery of St. Bishoy for a three-day retreat, reflection and then returned to enlighten and nourish his flock. A man of prayer and meditation, Pope Shenouda was an authentic monk who radiates joy and peace to all who come into contact with him.

5. The Theological College
Upon succeeding to the See of St. Mark, His Holiness became the first Patriarch of Alexandria since the 5th Century to have been Dean of the Theological College. His Holiness continually lectured at the branches of the College in Cairo and Alexandria, and at the Higher Institute of Coptic Studies. Owing to His Holiness’ personal attention, the College has expanded and enlarged. His Holiness established 8 branches of the College in Egypt and 6 in the Diaspora (3 in the USA, 2 in Australia and 2 in Europe). His Holiness also established the Institute of Pastoral Affairs in 1993.

6. The Honorary Degrees
In recognition of his theological and spiritual scholarship Pope Shenouda has been awarded 9 honorary doctoral degrees:
i. The University of Bloomfield, New Jersey (April 1977)
ii. The University of St. Peters, New Jersey (May 1977)
iii. The University of St. Vincent (September 1989)
iv. The University of Bonn (November 1990)
v. The University of North Brook, Chicago (April 2001)
vi. The University of Neshto House (May 2001)
vii. The University of Toledo (August 2002)
viii. The University of Lawrence, Michigan (September 2007)
ix. The Catholic University of Hungry (August 2011)

7. Pastoral Care
Recognizing that the harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few (Luke 10:2), His Holiness placed great emphasis on pastoral care to be rendered to young and old. His Holiness increased the number of dioceses from 23 in 1971 to 48 in 2011

He ordained 117 Bishops and 2 Eritrean Patriarchs (Abouna Philopos in May 1998 and Abouna Antonious in May 2002). His Holiness ordained over 1000 priests for Egypt and abroad, as well as over 800 monks and nuns. His Holiness also ordained over 150 consecrated sisters and deaconesses to assist Bishops and priests in their vast ministry. To address youth issues and concerns His Holiness ordained His Grace Bishop Moussa as the first Bishop of Youth Affairs in May 1980.

8. The Sanctification of the Holy Myron
As a result of the unprecedented increase in the geographical expansion of the Coptic Orthodox Church, His Holiness performed the Mystery of the Sanctification of the Holy Myron (Chrism) seven times in the Monastery of St. Bishoy in the years 1981, 1987, 1993, 1995, 2005, 2008 and in September 2004 in Eretria.

9. The Church Abroad
When His Holiness Pope Shenouda III was enthroned, there were only seven Coptic Churches outside of Egypt: two each in Canada, the USA and Australia and one in England. Despite his numerous commitments, His Holiness took direct responsibility for the pastoral care of the growing number of Coptic Churches in the Diaspora.

As a result of His Holiness’ tireless efforts, the Churches in the Diaspora grew and flourished in a remarkable way. From 1990 and onwards, His Holiness sent Christmas and Easter pastoral messages to the flock abroad and in May 1992 His Holiness initiated an English version of El Keraza to serve and reach the second and third generations of Copts abroad. His Holiness established hundreds of Churches and 15 dioceses outside Egypt and instructed the Bishops and priests to take particular care of children and youth ministry.

His Holiness encouraged the establishment of schools. Today there are 5 Coptic Schools in Australia, 3 in Canada and 2 in the USA.

10. The Pastoral Trips
In order to respond adequately to the needs of the Copts abroad, to bring Churches in the Diaspora together and to relate them individually and collectively as a unified whole to the Mother Church, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III made many pastoral visits to Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Africa and Latin America. To date, Pope Shenouda undertook 84 trips to 37 different countries. During his visits, Pope Shenouda prayed liturgies, consecrated altars, laid foundation stones, ordained priests and deacons, and baptized children.

His Holiness also conducted pastoral meetings with priests, met with religious and civic leaders, held press conferences and delivered homilies and sermons.

11. Mission and Evangelism
As Head of the oldest Church in Africa, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III was very keen to extend the Apostolic Mission of St. Mark across all Africa. In June, 1976 His Holiness ordained Bishop Antonius Markos to consolidate missionary work among the African tribes of Kenya.

In 1995, His Holiness ordained Bishop Paul to assist in this vast field in Africa. In 2006 His Holiness ordained Bishop Agathon and Bishop Youssef, the former for Brazil and the later Bolivia, to undertake missionary work in Latin America.

12. National Unity and Harmony
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III has steadfastly worked to secure peace between all Egyptians, Copts and Muslims. His Holiness says, “Egypt is not a country in which we live but rather a country which lives in us.” In recognition of his efforts Pope Shenouda was awarded the UNESCO prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-violence on 16th November 2000. UNESCO’s Director General praised his Holiness for promoting exchange and understanding between Christianity and Islam in the Middle East.

As we honor His Holiness, we glorify and praise God who gave His Holiness grace, strength and wisdom to serve the Church. Nonetheless, we know His Holiness’ “honor is not from men but from God.” (Romans 2:29). As Daniel the prophet says, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3).

His Holiness continued his relentless efforts to preach and teach the Coptic people and others who were attracted to his simple and powerful approach of teaching the Holy Bible and church dogma, as well as all aspects of Christian living.

We all recognize today that His Holiness Pope Shenouda is a school in himself and a phenomenon that occurs only once in many generations. Many consider him to be a new St. Paul the Apostle in his preaching, St. Athanasius the Apostolic in his defense of Orthodoxy, St. John Chrysostom in his ability to deliver golden words of spirituality, and St. Shenouda the Archimandrite in his monasticism, prayer, and life of solitude.

13. Departure
His Holiness Pope Shenouda reposed in the Lord on March 17, 2012 after more than forty years as the Pope and Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Under his guidance, the Coptic Church flourished and saw an age of spiritual revival. He was laid to rest in the Monastery of St. Pishoy in Wadi-el-Natroun.

We pray that the Lord may repose the soul of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III in the Paradise of Joy, in the bosom of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the choirs of the martyrs, crossbearers, and saints who pleased God from Adam to the end of the ages. May his holy blessings be with us all. Amen.