Pope Demetrius II of Alexandria

Who was Pope Demetrius II of Alexandria?

Pope Demetrius II of Alexandria, 111th Pope of Alexandria & Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.

He was born in the village of Galda, the governorate of El-Minya, Egypt. He became a monk in the Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great. When the abbot of the monastery departed, he was chosen to become the new abbot. He did well in managing the monastery. For his good virtues, he was ordained a Pope to succeed the great Pope Cyril IV, the 110th Patriarch.

He completed the construction of Saint Mark Cathedral, built many buildings in the patriarchate, and in his monastery in the area of Atrees. On the 17th of November 1869, he attended the celebration for the opening of the Suez Canal, and met many kings. He was well respected by Ottoman Sultan Abdülâziz. When this Pope came before him to greet him, the Pope kissed the sultan on his chest. The Sultan was troubled, and the guards asked the Pope why he did that. The Pope said, "The book of God says: 'The king's heart in the hand of the Lord', when I kissed his heart, I have kissed the hand of God." The Sultan was pleased with his answer, and gave him many farm lands to help the poor and the schools. The Pope traveled on a governmental boat to visit the churches in Upper Egypt. He regained those who were lost and strengthened the faithful.