History of the Patriarchs of Alexandria
Encyclopedia
The History of the Patriarchs of Alexandria is a major historical work of the Coptic Church. It is written in Arabic
, but draws extensively on Greek and Coptic sources.
The compilation was based on earlier biographical sources. It is was begun by Severus ibn al-Mukaffa, One scholar, Johannes den Heijer, contests its attribution to Severus ibn al-Mukaffa. It was continued by others including Michael, bishop of Tinnis (11th century, writing in Coptic
, covering 880 to 1046), Mawhub ibn Mansur ibn Mufarrig, deacon of Alexandria, and Pope Mark III of Alexandria
(for 1131 to 1167).
.
The earlier portions of the text are derived mainly from Eusebius and Coptic tradition. But from the 6th century onwards, the biographies grow longer and often seem to derive from documents written by eyewitnesses of the events recorded. The Muslim conquest of Egypt
is recorded , and a vivid eyewitness account included of the overthrow of the last Ummayad Caliph, Marwan II
.
Severus also relates the famous miracle of moving the Mokattam Mountain
during the ruling of the Fatimid Caliph Al-Muizz around 975 (as an eyewitness of that period). The complete text has since then been expanded with appendices and continuations running up to 1894. Indeed one unpublished manuscript continues the text until 1923.
Evetts stopped with the 52nd Patriarch, Joseph
, who died in 849
. Subsequent material was published and translated by various scholars led by O. H. E. Burmester
, in Cairo.
published the Latin translation Historia patriarcharum alexandrinorum jacobitarum. A scholarly Arabic edition was started by Christian Friedrich Seybold (1904).
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, but draws extensively on Greek and Coptic sources.
The compilation was based on earlier biographical sources. It is was begun by Severus ibn al-Mukaffa, One scholar, Johannes den Heijer, contests its attribution to Severus ibn al-Mukaffa. It was continued by others including Michael, bishop of Tinnis (11th century, writing in Coptic
Coptic alphabet
The Coptic alphabet is the script used for writing the Coptic language. The repertoire of glyphs is based on the Greek alphabet augmented by letters borrowed from the Demotic and is the first alphabetic script used for the Egyptian language...
, covering 880 to 1046), Mawhub ibn Mansur ibn Mufarrig, deacon of Alexandria, and Pope Mark III of Alexandria
Pope Mark III of Alexandria
Pope Mark III of Alexandria was the Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark . He was the son of Zura.Before becoming Patriarch, Mark wrote the entries of the History of the Patriarchs of Alexandria that cover the years between 1131 and 1167....
(for 1131 to 1167).
Description
The first half of the Arabic text known as the Ta'rikh Batarikat al-Kanisah al-Misriyah (transliterated Arabic) was edited and translated into English by B. Evetts under the title History of the Patriarchs of the Coptic Church of Alexandria. The remainder was published by O.H.E.Burmester with English translation. This work presents a compilation of the history of the Patriarchs of the Coptic Church of AlexandriaCoptic 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...
.
The earlier portions of the text are derived mainly from Eusebius and Coptic tradition. But from the 6th century onwards, the biographies grow longer and often seem to derive from documents written by eyewitnesses of the events recorded. The Muslim conquest of Egypt
Muslim conquest of Egypt
At the commencement of the Muslims conquest of Egypt, Egypt was part of the Byzantine Empire with its capital in Constantinople. However, it had been occupied just a decade before by the Persian Empire under Khosrau II...
is recorded , and a vivid eyewitness account included of the overthrow of the last Ummayad Caliph, Marwan II
Marwan II
Marwan ibn Muhammad ibn Marwan or Marwan II was an Umayyad caliph who ruled from 744 until 750 when he was killed. He was the last Umayyad ruler to rule from Damascus.In A.H. 114 Caliph Hisham appointed Marwan governor of Armenia and Azerbaijan. In A.H...
.
Severus also relates the famous miracle of moving the Mokattam Mountain
Simon the Tanner
Simon the Tanner , also known as Saint Simon the Shoemaker , is the Coptic Orthodox saint associated with the story of the moving the Mokattam Mountain in Cairo, Egypt, during the rule of the Muslim Fatimid Caliph al-Muizz Lideenillah while Abraham the Syrian was the Pope of the Coptic Orthodox...
during the ruling of the Fatimid Caliph Al-Muizz around 975 (as an eyewitness of that period). The complete text has since then been expanded with appendices and continuations running up to 1894. Indeed one unpublished manuscript continues the text until 1923.
Evetts stopped with the 52nd Patriarch, Joseph
Pope Joseph of Alexandria
Pope Joseph I of Alexandria was the Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark .According to the History of the Patriarchs of Alexandria, conditions finally improved in Ethiopia, allowing Abuna Yohannes to return to that country to administer its church.It was Pope Joseph who,...
, who died in 849
849
Year 849 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* In the Tang Dynasty Chinese capital city of Chang'an, an imperial prince was impeached from his position by officials at court for erecting a building that obstructed a street in the northwesternmost ward in South...
. Subsequent material was published and translated by various scholars led by O. H. E. Burmester
O. H. E. Burmester
Oswald Hugh Ewart KHS-Burmester was a British specialist in Arabic Coptology. He is best known as the translator of most of the History of the Patriarchs of Alexandria....
, in Cairo.
Translations
In 1713 Eusèbe RenaudotEusèbe Renaudot
Eusèbe Renaudot was a French theologian and Orientalist.-Life:Born in Paris, he was brought up and educated for a career in the church; but after being educated by the Jesuits, and joining the Oratorians in 1666, he was in poor health, left his order, and never took more than minor orders...
published the Latin translation Historia patriarcharum alexandrinorum jacobitarum. A scholarly Arabic edition was started by Christian Friedrich Seybold (1904).
External links
- Evetts' translation online: http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/severus_hermopolis_hist_alex_patr_01_part1.htm at the Tertullian Project:
- Continuation online:
- Part 5 -- Khael II - Shenouti I (880)
- Part 6 -- Khael III - Shenouti II (1066)
- Part 7 -- Christodoulous - Michael IV (1102)
- Part 8 -- Macarius II - John V (1167)
- Part 9 -- Mark III - John VI (1216)
- Part 10 -- Cyril III - Cyril V (1894)
- Part 11 -- Cyril Ibn Laklak, part 1
- Part 12 -- Cyril Ibn Laklak, part 2
- Preface