Saint Abraham of Alexandria, the 62nd Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, ascended to his papal duties in the year 975 and held the esteemed position until his demise on 3 December 978. Hailing from Ebn-Zaraa in Syria, Pope Abraham, alternatively known as Efrem or Ephrem, chose to settle in Alexandria, Egypt, where he left an indelible mark of piety, generosity, and deep compassion for the less fortunate. His legacy endures as the Coptic Orthodox Church reveres him as a saint.

 

Born into affluence, Abraham, in the pursuit of religious devotion, distributed half of his wealth to aid the needy upon his ordination. The other half was dedicated to philanthropic endeavors, including the construction of pools across Egypt, such as the notable pool at Saint Mercurius Church in Coptic Cairo.

 

The period of Pope Abraham's rise to power was marked by the Fatimid rule of Al-Muizz in Egypt, where the Coptic community faced fluctuating treatment ranging from sympathy to abuse, with intermittent episodes of atrocity and brutality. During these tumultuous times, the seat of St. Mark remained vacant for approximately two years. The clergy and community leaders convened in the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus in Cairo to deliberate on potential candidates. It was during this assembly that Abraham the Syrian, a man devoted to religion and piety, entered the church, prompting one of the participants to suggest that God had sent them a candidate. The entire gathering was impressed by this divine intervention, leading to the unanimous election of Abraham as the 62nd Patriarch of Alexandria. Despite his initial protests, he was taken to Alexandria in iron fetters and consecrated as the spiritual leader.

 

Pope Abraham's tenure was marked by immediate action to suppress the pervasive practice of simony, a problem that had plagued the church in the preceding patriarchates. His focus then shifted to addressing the moral conduct of church archons, particularly those who maintained both concubines and legal wives. His commitment to upholding the sanctity of marriage was unwavering, and he went to the extent of threatening excommunication for those who continued to violate these sacred principles.

 

Pope Abraham the Syriac breathed his last on 3 December 978 A.D., leaving behind a legacy of faith, benevolence, and a steadfast commitment to the principles of the Coptic Orthodox Christian tradition. His memory is commemorated annually on the 3rd of December, corresponding to the 6th Kiahk in the Coptic calendar. The Hanging Church stands as the final resting place for this revered figure, and his impact on the church and its followers continues to be celebrated and remembered to this day.