Pope Mark III departed on the year 905 of the martyrs (1189 A.D.). He was the 73rd patriarch of Alexandria. His name was Abu el-Farag Ebn Abi el-Saad and he was a deacon. He was of Syrian origin and worked as a merchant. He was well known for his purity, celibacy and piety.
He became patriarch in 1166 A.D. He sat on the apostolic throne during the Crusades and his people encountered many hardships during this period. It was a difficult period for his people. He served his people with purity and many prayers. The status of the Coptic people improved when Salah al-Din el-Ayyubi sat in government. As conditions improved, Pope Mark undertook a pastoral tour where he visited his people across many Egyptian regions.
Pope Mark sat on the throne of St Mark for 22 years and 7 months. He departed in peace and was buried in the monastery of St Macarius in the wilderness of Scetis.
