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Pope Macarius III of Alexandria

Saint

Macarius III of Alexandria
Pope of Alexandria & Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
Native name
  • البابا مكاريوس الثالث
Papacy began19 February 1944
Papacy ended31 August 1945
PredecessorJohn XIX
SuccessorJoseph II
Personal details
Born(1872-02-18)18 February 1872
Died31 August 1945(1945-08-31) (aged 73)
Cairo, Egypt
BuriedSaint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (Azbakeya)
NationalityEgyptian
DenominationCoptic Orthodox Christian
ResidenceSaint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (Azbakeya)
Sainthood
Feast day31 August (25 Mesra in the Coptic calendar)
Papal styles of
Saint Macarius III
Reference styleHis Holiness
Spoken styleYour Holiness
Religious stylePope and Patriarch
Posthumous styleSaint

Pope Macarius III of Alexandria (Abba Macari III) was 114th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.

Before becoming a pope, he was the Metropolitan of Asyut in Egypt. He is the second metropolitan to become a pope in the history of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. The first metropolitan to become a pope was John XIX.[1]

On several occasions, Habib Elmasry, secretary of the General Congregation Council (Elmagles Elmelly Ela'am) of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, vocally disagreed with Macarius's papal appointment. His daughter, historian Iris Habib Elmasry, documented these incidents in her book on the church's history.[1]

During his papacy, Macarius ordained no bishops or metropolitans. This was interpreted as an indication of his regret at accepting the position, despite being a metropolitan beforehand.[1]

On 22 February 1944, Macarius issued a document describing the church's intention to repair monasteries, to update monks scientifically and spiritually, and to hold monastic heads accountable. This led to a major split between the Holy Synod and General Congregation Council (Elmagles Elmelly Ela'am).

On 7 June 1944, the Holy Synod submitted an appeal to the pope and to the Minister of Justice on the personal status law for non-Muslims Egyptians, as they felt it contradicted a church canon and affected two of the holy mysteries of the Church: marriage and priesthood. As the conflict continued, The Holy Synod and General Congregation Council could not agree. Failing to reconcile them, Macarius abandoned the capital headquarters and went into exile in Helwan. He later went to the Eastern monasteries, accompanied by bishops, and settled in the Monastery of Saint Anthony in the Red Sea. He then went to the Monastery of Saint Paul the Anchorite. These changes were painful among the Coptic people. When the prime minister learned of the matter, he worked to resolve it, and the pope returned.

References

  1. ^ a b c History of the Coptic Church, Iris Habib Elmasry.
Oriental Orthodox titles Preceded byJohn XIX Coptic Pope 1944–1945 Succeeded byJoseph II
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Pope Macarius III of Alexandria
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