Pope Michael IV of Alexandria
Encyclopedia
Pope Michael IV of Alexandria, also known as Khail IV, was the 68th Coptic
Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark (9 October 1092 – 25 May 1102).
He was initially a monk
at the Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great
in Scetes. He later went to a place near Singar, where he lived in a cave for more than 20 years. On 12 Paopi
, 809 A.M. (9 October 1092 AD), he was ordained Pope of Alexandria. He was known for his love of the poor and needy, and for spending the church money on paying the Jizya
for those Copts who could not afford to pay it, so that they could keep their Christianity
.
The Arabic historian al-Makin is quoted by later historians as recounting that Pope Michael IV made a journey to Ethiopia
to ask that country's Emperor to allow the Nile
to flood to its normal levels, which would end the current famine
. Trimingham dismisses this as only a legend
.
Michael IV departed on 30 Pashons
, 818 A.M. (25 May 1102 AD) He remained on the Throne of Saint Mark for 9 years, 7 months, and 17 days.
The Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria
was in The Hanging Church
during his tenure.
Coptic Christianity
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is the official name for the largest Christian church in Egypt and the Middle East. The Church belongs to the Oriental Orthodox family of churches, which has been a distinct church body since the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451, when it took a different...
Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark (9 October 1092 – 25 May 1102).
He was initially a monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
at the Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great
Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great
The Monastery of Saint Macarius is a Coptic Orthodox monastery located in Wadi El Natrun, Beheira Governorate, about 92 km north west of Cairo, and off the highway between Cairo and Alexandria.-Ancient History:...
in Scetes. He later went to a place near Singar, where he lived in a cave for more than 20 years. On 12 Paopi
Paopi
Paopi , also known as Baba, is the second month of the Coptic calendar. It lies between October 11 and November 9 of the Gregorian calendar...
, 809 A.M. (9 October 1092 AD), he was ordained Pope of Alexandria. He was known for his love of the poor and needy, and for spending the church money on paying the Jizya
Jizya
Under Islamic law, jizya or jizyah is a per capita tax levied on a section of an Islamic state's non-Muslim citizens, who meet certain criteria...
for those Copts who could not afford to pay it, so that they could keep their Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
.
The Arabic historian al-Makin is quoted by later historians as recounting that Pope Michael IV made a journey to Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
to ask that country's Emperor to allow the Nile
Nile
The Nile is a major north-flowing river in North Africa, generally regarded as the longest river in the world. It is long. It runs through the ten countries of Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Egypt.The Nile has two major...
to flood to its normal levels, which would end the current famine
Famine
A famine is a widespread scarcity of food, caused by several factors including crop failure, overpopulation, or government policies. This phenomenon is usually accompanied or followed by regional malnutrition, starvation, epidemic, and increased mortality. Every continent in the world has...
. Trimingham dismisses this as only a legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
.
Michael IV departed on 30 Pashons
Pashons 30 (Coptic Orthodox liturgics)
29 Pashons - Coptic calendar - 1 Paoni-Fixed commemorations:All fixed commemorations below are observed on 30 Pashons by the Coptic Orthodox Church-Saints:*Saint Fortunatus, one of the seventy Apostles*Pope Michael IV of Alexandria ,...
, 818 A.M. (25 May 1102 AD) He remained on the Throne of Saint Mark for 9 years, 7 months, and 17 days.
The Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria
Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria
The Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria is historically based in Alexandria, Egypt. It is commonly known as the Holy See of St. Mark, as the Coptic Pope is the successor of St. Mark....
was in The Hanging Church
The Hanging Church
Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church also known as the Hanging Church is one of the oldest churches in Egypt and the history of a church on this site dates to the 3rd century AD....
during his tenure.