Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria Rank
About Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria
Pope Shenouda III, known as Nazir Gayed Roufail by reason of birth, was acknowledged within the Catholic diocese as one of the Great Patriarchs of the ancient Church of Alexandria – he was also a revered teacher, father, and a great custodian of the Catholic Church.
His great insight and his ability to decode biblical and theological concepts earned him the title "teacher of generations" during his reign as Pope of Alexandria.
Pope Shenouda was also the leader of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Background
Pope Shenouda III was raised in a village called Salaam. He was the last born of his parents and lost his mother after he was born. He grew up in Damanhur in lower Egypt, he went to a Coptic Elementary School.
He later attended the American Middle School in Banha and relocated to Shubra, a neighboring town in Cairo, where he schooled at the Faith Senior Secondary School.
Career Highlights
Pope Shenouda spent most of his time at the church. At the age of 16, he was already a member of the Coptic Sunday School movement. He then became a Sunday School teacher, serving at Saint Anthony's parish in Shoubra. He later journeyed to Mahmasha, where he taught at Saint Mary's Church.
Teacher
Pursuing a career and service he had come to love, Pope Shenouda enrolled in the University of King Fouad I in 1943, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in English and History.
In his final year, he attended evening classes at the Coptic Theological Seminary. Though the school was strictly for University graduates, the dean of the Seminary, Archdeacon Habib Girgis allowed him to get through with the course.
After graduating from the University, Pope Shenouda worked as a teacher in a high school in Cairo. He taught Social Sciences, English, and History.
He also studied graduate courses in Archaeology and Classics at Cairo University, where he majored in the History of Ancient Egypt and Islamic Egypt.
In 1949, Pope Shenouda was assigned a teaching role at the seminary following his graduation. He taught New Testament and Old Testament Studies.
A higher calling
Pope Shenouda rose to the rank of a monk in 1954 with the name Father Antonios.
Further, into 1958, he was uplifted to a priesthood position.
In 1962, he became the Dean of the Coptic Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he took on the name Shenouda, a name that had belonged to two retired popes, automatically making him the third Shenouda.
Pope Shenouda III
After Pope Cyril VI died in 1971, Shenouda was chosen to become the next pope. The Catholic Church experienced beauteous changes during his tenure as Pope.
He is noted for being the Pope to have selected the first bishops for North American dioceses.
He also picked the first Coptic bishops in Europe, South America, and Australia.
Though he had difficulties handling the welfare of the Catholic diocese in his home country Egypt, his shrewdness and persistence were greatly admired by all.
Death
Pope Shenouda III died on 17 March 2012, according to his doctor he had issues with his lung and liver and was also battling diabetes. He is believed to have died at his official residence after returning from a routine medical check in the United States.
Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria Rank
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F.A.Q. about Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria
When is Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria's birthday?
Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria's birthday is on August 3, 1923.
In how many days is Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria's birthday?
Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria's birthday is in 261 days
How old was Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria when he/she died?
Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria was 88 years old.
When did Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria die?
Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria died in March 17, 2012.
How old would Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria be today?
Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria would be 101 years old if he/she was alive today.
Where was Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria from?
Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria was born in Asyut, Egypt.