Our Patron Saint
Pope Kyrillos VI
1902 – 1971 • 116th Pope of Alexandria
Orthodox churches are typically named after saints, people who lived righteous, God fearing lives and were recognized by the Church for their holiness. The parishioners remember the saint's story and use that as encouragement to live their own lives of godliness. The saint also provides intercessions and prayers on behalf of the church.
Our patron saint is Saint Pope Kyrillos VI. Below is his story and after that are some spiritual applications of his life.
The Life of Saint Pope Kyrillos VI
Saint Pope Kyrillos VI was born in Egypt with the name Azer Youssef Atta. From an early age he was drawn to a life with God, and as a young man he left his work to pursue monastic life. In 1928 he became a monk at the Monastery of El Baramous and was known as Father Mina El Baramosy. He longed for a life of quiet prayer and worship, so he sought solitude and lived for a time in a windmill in Old Cairo, turning a simple place into a life of repentance, prayer, and the Divine Liturgy.
His life of prayer did not make him distant from people. Many came to him for counsel, confession, comfort, and guidance. In 1959 the Church chose him to become Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, and he took the name Kyrillos VI. During his years as Pope from 1959 to 1971 he became widely known for his devotion to prayer and the liturgy, and for his fatherly care for all who came to him.
One of the great fruits of his love for monastic life and his devotion to Saint Mina was the founding of the modern Monastery of Saint Mina in Mariut. Soon after becoming Pope he laid its foundation, and it became a place of prayer, repentance, and pilgrimage for many.
Saint Pope Kyrillos VI departed this life on March 9, 1971. Later, according to his will, his body was moved to the Monastery of Saint Mina, where many continue to visit and seek God's mercy through prayer.
In 2013 the Coptic Orthodox Church formally canonized Saint Pope Kyrillos VI among the saints, confirming what many had witnessed for decades—a life marked by humility, repentance, deep prayer, and a powerful witness to the presence of God.
His Legacy for Our Church
As our patron saint, Saint Pope Kyrillos VI calls us to be rooted in the altar, the Scriptures, confession, and prayer, and to live with confidence that Christ is present and faithful in every generation. May his prayers be with us, and may God plant within us the same spirit of repentance, peace, and unwavering trust in Him.
Prayer to St. Kyrillos VI
"O great saint, Pope Kyrillos VI, you who loved silence and prayer, intercede for us before the throne of grace. Pray for our church that bears your name, that we may follow your example of humility and devotion to Christ our God. Amen."
Feast Day
The feast day of Pope Kyrillos VI is celebrated on Amshir 30 (Coptic calendar) / March 9th (Gregorian calendar), commemorating his departure.
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