Pope Christodoulos, departed on the year 794 of the martyrs (1077 A.D.). He was the 66th patriarch of Alexandria. He was born and raised in a city called Bora. He became a monk in el-Baramus monastery and was ordained a priest in the following years. He left the monastery to live a solitary life in a cell by the sea shore and he was called the “shut-in”
He was chosen for the patriarchate and dedicated time to building new churches in Alexandria. He also renovated ruined churches to which he ordained priests and deacons to serve. Pope Christodoulos wrote papal messages urging his congregation to commit to fasting, prayer, and to attend Liturgies. He emphasizes the importance of partaking in the Holy Mysteries. He also instituted 21 church Cannons to aid the circumstances the church was facing during his papacy.
During his first visit to Cairo, Pope Christodoulos saw it fit to relocate the papal residence from Alexandria to Cairo to be near the government. He chose the church of the Virgin, el Mo’allaqah in Old Cairo as his official seat. He renovated the church of the martyr, Philopateer Mercurius (Abu Sefein).
Pope Christodoulos toured most of the cities in Egypt and oversaw the affairs of the church. He also consecrated a Bishop for Nubia. He suffered many hardships from the rulers as he was a steadfast Christian and active in his ministry. He endured these hardships with patience and thanksgiving. He passed away after spending 31 years as patriarche. He was buried in the church of the Virgin el Mo’allaqah in Old Cairo. His body was later relocated to the monastery of St Macarius in the wilderness of Scetis.
