REMEMBER THEM WHICH HAVE THE RULE OVER YOU, WHO HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU THE WORD OF GOD: WHOSE FAITH FOLLOW, CONSIDERING THE END OF THEIR CONVERSATION. HEBREWS 13:7

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REMEMBER THEM WHICH HAVE THE RULE OVER YOU, WHO
HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU THE WORD OF GOD WHOSE FAITH
FOLLOW, CONSIDERING THE END OF THEIR
CONVERSATION.HEBREWS 137
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POPE KYRILLOS THE SIXTH Coptic Orthodox Pope
(1902-1959)
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My name is Azer Youssef and here is my story

• I was born on August 2nd 1902, Egypt.
• My mom and dad set a good Christian example for
  me and for the whole family.
• We used to gather and read the Bible every day.

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• During school, my passion was in the Bible that
  the Moslem sheik was eager to know about it. I
  brought the book of John with me and I told the
  sheik about it. Both of us memorized the entire
  Gospel!!!

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I loved my Lord very much that I didnt want to
miss any moment without him. I spent all my spare
time in the church. And every evening I stayed in
my room praying and reading the Bible.
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When I finished high school, I worked in a
shipping company in Alexandria. One day, I found
a wallet with a large amount of money within the
belongings of a captain. When I returned it to
him, he wanted to reward me, but I refused
because I was just doing my job. Next day my boss
raised my salary.
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In July, 1927, I decided to resign. I had a very
important task to fulfill. I decided to leave the
world and worship God in the monastery.
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In the monastery, I didnt care about the
prestigious jobs. I picked the jobs which were
less favorable to everyone else. I cooked for
everyone and helped the elderly monks. I washed
their clothes and cleaned up their cells. I
always offered help to other monks.When I
became a monk, I was named Mina.
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By July 18th, 1931, I was ordained as a priest.
Then, I left the monastery to study in the
Theological school.Every morning, I opened the
church to pray the Liturgy with the help of my
friend.
Many students wanted to join the Liturgy. It
became part of our educational program.Since
then, I kept praying the Divine Liturgy on daily
bases till the last day of my life.
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When Pope Youanis wanted to make me a bishop, I
flee to the monastery. I did not want anything to
be in my way of worshiping my Lord. I decided to
live a solitude way of life.
In spite of the strong opposition, I chose a cave
in the desert one hour away from the monastery.
(walking distance). On Saturdays, I went to the
monastery to wash my clothes and attend the
evening prayers and Sunday Liturgy.
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Later, I chose to live in a windmill in a
deserted area. Soon many people knew me and came
to see me and ask me to bless them. I kept saying
who am I to bless you? I am only a worm. and
kept them in my prayers.Some were recovered
from their diseases and others who had problems
were relieved.The place became full of people.
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The church appointed me for several jobs rebuild
and construct some monasteries. Every time, I
left the windmill and obeyed.Till 19th of
April, 1959, I was chosen to be the Pope. People
placed my name as a nominee among 2 others. After
Sunday prayers, they put our names in a sealed
envelope and asked a little boy to pick one name.
It was me!!!!I was named KYRILLOS THE SIXTH
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I sat on the Apostolic chair, the chair of Saint
Mark, the Evangelist and I cried. I felt I did
not deserve this place.
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I did not change my life as monk when I became
Pope.My food was strict with no variety or good
taste. My clothes were very simple. My inner
clothes which I wore under my Patriarchate
clothes were made of coarse, cheap materials.My
cover was one blanket whether it was summer or
winter.How can I live luxurious life and the
real Shepard Jesus Christ fled to Egypt, and did
not have a place to rest His head?
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I refused to were the chasuble and the crown
during the opening the New Cathedral among the
Emperor Helaselasi and the President Abd El Naser
who attended the opening. The Emperor even
offered me new garments for this occasion, but I
gave it away for whoever needed it. Let your
priests be clothed with righteousness. Ps 1329
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I started my day at 300 am with prayers. My
office was opened for all people from all places
till late night. I would not rest until the last
person was comforted.
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• I cared for you.
• I kept you in my prayers.

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Oh! God bless you my children
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I prayed for your sins.
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• Sometimes, I was tired after a long day.

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I loved all people of all religions, race, or
color.
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I asked for you.
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I will always keep praying for you.
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I was willing to walk miles to reach you and help
you reach our Lord.
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Although President Abel Naser, humiliated me
several times, I forgave him. When he needed my
prayers for his sick daughter, I was there for
them.
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I know you loved me. And I will not stop loving
you.
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I asked for you
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I wished that all of us, Christians, to be one
people, one church, and one baptism.
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You wanted me to live longer, but my mission was
accomplished. I am in a better place now.

• March 9, 1971

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Pope Kyrillos In the eyes of others

• I came with my father to meet the Pope. When I
  entered, I saw a halo of light around his head
  that reached his shoulders. I could not look or
  stand so I knelt until the Pope helped me to
  stand up.

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Pope Kyrillos In the eyes of others

• I was appointed to serve him. He never make me
  feel his servant. He treated me equally. Many
  times he would take back the dishes and cups to
  the kitchen after a long day of meetings.
• I often heard him abasing himself saying the
  boy became a Patriarch
• Foufaiel Sobhi (Fr. Rafael Ava Mena, later)

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Pope Kyrillos In the eyes of others

• I asked a friend of mine to join the holy service
  lead by the Pope. But my friend said that the
  Pope was an illiterate man and no need to waste
  time listening to him. I begged him to attend
  even for few minutes. He agreed and while the
  Pope was going around the church with incense, he
  said to my friend Why are you wasting your time
  here since I am illiterate and not educated? The
  man burst into tears kissing his hands and asking
  for forgiveness.
• Dr. Albert Guirguis

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Pope Kyrillos In the eyes of others

• In 1947 he moved to Old Cairo where he built the
  Church of St. Mina his beloved saint. During
  this time many university students (whose homes
  were outside Cairo) gathered around him. He
  established a dorm for them looking after needs.
  Later, several students became priests, monks,
  and bishops including H.H. Pope Shenouda III, the
  present Pope.

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Pope Kyrillos In the eyes of others

• While I was taking communion from the Pope, I
  tearfully told him that my daughter was in
  critical labor condition. The Pope said Go Help
  her Saint Mina. After that, I went to see my
  daughter and she was able to deliver her baby
  miraculously.
• Mr. Abrahim Goudi

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Pope Kyrillos In the eyes of others

• Once I gave a sermon in the Cathedral when the
  Pope was present. After the sermon the Pope
  gently admonished me saying, Brother, why do you
  yell and give orders to people as you instruct
  them...Who knows who is better than the other
• Metropolitan Athanasius (Beni Swief)

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Pope Kyrillos In the eyes of others

• When Fr. Mina lived in St. Minas Church in Old
  Cairo with other monks and novices, (he was a
  priest at that time) he used to assign them jobs.
  He kept the chores of cleaning bathrooms to
  himself and no one noticed it ever.
• One of Pope Kyrillos relatives

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During his life as Patriarch the Coptic Church
witnessed many great things

• The monastery of St. Mina in Mariut.
• Processed the Holy Myron for only the 26th time
  in Coptic Church history.
• Renovation of St. Marks cathedral in Cairo.
• The unprecedented apparition of the Holy Mother
  of God over the Church in Zeitoun.
• The return of the relics of St. Mark the Apostle
  to Egypt.
• Liturgical revival in the Coptic Church
• Spiritual revival in the Coptic Church.

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• Pray one for another that ye may be healed. The
  effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
  availeth much.
• James 516
• Pope Kyrillos is still doing miracles each day.
  Pray to the LORD. Ask Pope Kyrillos to pray with
  you and you will see a miracle yourself.

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• Want to learn more about him
• Visit
• http//www.zeitun-eg.org/
• http//www.stmina-monastery.org/popekyrillos6.ht
  m