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Pope Shenouda in exile.

abflab91abflab91
edited December 1969 in Coptic Orthodox Church
Does anyone know wat happened too Pope Shenouda while he was in exile back in the 80's? like who was he with and y did Sadat put him under House arrest in the monastery of Anba Bishoy. All i know is that due to Sayedna being under house arrest, we now have many of his books because all he did while he was in the monastery was write most of the many books we now have by His Holiness.

Comments

  • pp
    Pope Shenouda was exiled with 8 bishops and 24 priests (I personally know one of them). Sadat put him in house arrest because he was a Muslim, and Muslims hate infidels (which we are). And yeah, God probably had His reasons why the Pope and 8 bishops and 24 priests, were in exile.
  • abflab91abflab91
    Which bishops and priests accompanied the Pope in exile?
  • gregorytheSinnergregorytheSinner
    They took different priests from differet parishes:
    one of the most famous ones was Aboua Loka Sidrous of Alexandria close family priest was also exiled with them and he told many stories about their experieces in jail:
    he said that they would pray a mass everday, in addiiton to doing the 400 matania's (that we do on Good Friday)
  • Unknown
    The pope was exiled there but Sadat also wanted to kill him. When Sadat put the pope into exile, he put a commitee consisting of four bishops lead by the departed anba youanis who was the secretary of the holy synod at that time to run the church while the pope was in exile. There were problems between pope shenouda and sadat. Pope shenouda remained in exile for another 5 years after sadats death. It wasn't until Mubarak who after 5 years of his rule decided to reurn him to his see.
  • ilovesaintmarkilovesaintmark
    This is a very complicated topic, but here is a brief synopsis:

    a)  economic conditions had worsened in Egypt and the inflation rate had risen tremendously.
    b)  there were food and fuel shortages.

    Sectarian strife and violence broke out and the Christians were receiving a great deal of backlash, especially the grocery and jewelry merchants.  Their stores were destroyed and many died.

    His Holiness--may God preserve his life for our sakes--Pope Shenouda III took a strong stand against the government to protect his people and made strong petitions to the government offices.  This embarassed Sadat, since he was a megalomaniac and often called himself "the father of the country".  This terminology is usually the flowery terminology that tyrannts and megalomaniacs use to justify their evil.

    Sadat started getting frustrated by the Pope's dissent and protest.  He started referring to him (Pope Shenouda) in his speeches as "Shenouda" and without title.

    Concurrently, the Muslim Brotherhood, as a terrorist organization, was getting more of a foothold in the country after they were in check.  They were looking for the overthrow of the regime and the establishment of an Islamic State similar to that established in the overthrow of the Shah of Iran by Ayatollah Khomeini.

    Sadat used this as an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.  He jailed 1500 in the Islamic Brotherhood, and to try to show balance, he exiled Pope Shenouda and jailed eight bishops and 24 priests.  He said that these particular Coptic clerics were fomenting strife between muslims and christians by their ministries.  He did not jail His Holiness, but effectively by exile he did.

    As a background, eversince the military revolution of 1954, and the constitutions that followed, the Coptic Pope when he is chosen, a Presidential decree and promulgation of the parliament is necessary to recognize the Pope and his authority.  He rescinded this decree and thus saying that Pope Shenouda and his authority were no longer recognized.

    He unilaterally appointed a Committee of Five to take his place; all of which are now deceased:  Bishop Samuel (General Bishop of Ecumenical and Social Services), Bishop Gregorious (Bishop of Higher Theological Studies), Metropolitan Youannis (Diocese of Gharbiya), Metropolitan Athanasius (Diocese of Assiut), Fr. Matta El-Meskeen (Abbot of the Monastery of St. Macarius).

    The date of start for His Holiness' exile was 5 September 1981 and he was released by pesidential decree (Hosni Mubarak) on 5 January 1985.  His first celebration after his return was the Divine Liturgy of the Nativity 1985.

    The numerology is amazing:

    8 bishops---    8
    24 priests---   24

    40 months of exile---  40

    His Holiness has borne much pain for his children.  We should be ever-mindful in praying for him.

    We are fortunate for His love and care, which is not solely his, but a channel also of the Love the Holy Spirit being sent to us.

    God grant him a long life.
  • ilovesaintmarkilovesaintmark
    Some of those that were in jail:

    Bishop Tadros of Port Said
    Bishop Pimen (reposed) of Malawi

    Fr. Samuel Sabet, currently Hegumen and Pastor at St. Mark & St. Bishoy in Chicago, IL--USA
    Fr. Tadros Malaty, Hegumen in St. George--Alexandria (district of Sporting), Egypt; writer and theologian.


    I do not have the full list with me, but they carried out their prayers and ministry even when in jail. 
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