Pope Mark VII of Alexandria was the 106th
Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark (
30 May, 1745 –
18 May, 1769).
HH Pope Mark VII was born in the city of
Klosna, in the district of
El Bahnasa, and his lay name was Simeon. He joined the
Monastery of Saint Anthony at a young age, then moved to the
Monastery of Saint Paul the Anchorite, where he became a monk and was ordained a priest. When
Pope John VII departed, he was chosen to succeed him. HH Mark VII was ordained Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria on Sunday, 24
Pashons, 1461 A.M. (
30 May, 1745 A.D.) on the day of the feast of the entry of
Christ to
Egypt.
HH Pope Mark VII was contemporary of the
Ottoman Sultans Mahmud I, Osman III, and
Mustafa III.
He ordained a general bishop over
Upper Egypt to shepherd its
Christians. He also ordained HG Yoannis (John) the 14th as the 104th Metropolitan of
Ethiopia.
The
Seat of the Pope during his papacy remained in the
Saint Mary Church (Haret Elroum) in
Cairo.
HH Pope Mark VII occupied the Throne of
Saint Mark for 23 years, 11 months, and 18 days. He departed on
12 Pashons 1485 A.M. (
18 May, 1769 A.D.), while he was residing in a monastery in
Maadi. He was buried in the tombs of the Patriarchs. The Papal Throne was vacant after his departure for 5 months and 5 days.
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