Has the Revered Associate Professor Daniel Fanous from the land Down under, Australia, written the book of the year?
Based on real-life events, A Silent Patriarch: Kyrillos VI (1902 1971) by Daniel Fanous, is the first scholarly biography of an Egyptian Orthodox underdog. Set in colonial Egypt (1900s) until modern day Egypt (1950’s onwards), readers witness how this underdog became one of the most irreplaceable patriarchs.
Professor Daniel Fanous is the Dean of St Cyril‘s Coptic Orthodox Theological College in Sydney, Australia. From being an eloquent speaker, persistent lecturer in Theology and the New Testament, to a compassionate parish priest of St Luke ‘s Church (in the Sutherland Shire, Sydney), Professor Fanous is a force to be reckoned with. On top of this impressive calibre, he has published many books over the years, yet I personally have found none more fascinating than his most recent book- A Silent Patriarch: Kyrillos VI. After a recommendation from a fellow bookworm - Fr. Elijah Iskander, to read this book in the first place, one can conclude that Professor Fanous is on his way to becoming a timeless author.
As Pope Kyrillos VI’s life story unfolds, readers begin to realize what life was like for this inquisitive and spiritual person during his early childhood. Moreover, at the start of the book, Professor Fanous recounts Pope Kyrillos VI’s lifestyle during Colonial Egypt all the way to modern day Egypt. Drawing from observations of Pope Kyrillos’ brother, readers are left astounded on how 4-year-old Azer (birth name of Pope Kyrillos VI) found joy.
From his early love for reading the Holy Bible, to caring for the less fortunate, to finally attending the Divine Liturgy regularly, it is clearly shown that Azer differed from that of mainstream youth of his day, also can be said of our day as well.
After learning about Azer's love for God from the early stages of his life, readers arrive at Azer’s purpose for life as a youth; to become a monk. Professor Fanous expertly explains the difficulties, both internally and externally, which Azer experienced during this journey to monkhood. To begin with, we are shown a family radically against Azer’s choices of resigning his high-paying job as a civil service officer, to choosing a life of self-denial and poverty i.e. monkhood. As a reader, we can ponder how a hysterical reaction often/may represent(s) most familial reactions towards anyone choosing a life of monkhood or nunnery. Despite the journey not being a “walk in the park” (pun intended as Pope Kyrillos is revealed to have always loved walking), readers rejoice when Azer finally received his God-given desire and became a monk in July 1927.
So far, Azer’s raw relationship with God is one to be zealous of.
Whatever Pope Kyrillos IV prayed for, God answered. Between praying for himself, fellow aspiring monks, and the Orthodox church communities, Azer passed his probationary period. On February 24, 1928, Azer took his monastic vows and took the name: Fr. Mina El-Baramosy. Saint Mina being Azer’s Saint friend, readers appreciate how he chose “Mina” to be his new name. Talk about taking a saint’s friendship to the next level!
As I value lifelong learning, I was impressed to discover how Fr. Mina El-Baramosy had St. Isaac of Syria as a mentor- Professor Fanous informs us how St. Isaac of Syria was the Bishop of Nineveh and a 7th century ascetic. The author also explains how Fr. Mina was very much influenced by St. Isaac’s writings to the extent that/so much that he had St. Isaac’s writings in his private journals.
Apart from fasting and praying all the time, Professor Fanous specifies how Fr. Mina made renovations in run-down churches, and how he memorably built a church dedicated for St. Mina, in the year 1947. This church was called St. Mina the Martyr and until this day, is a regularly visited church in Cairo.
As this biographical book continues, Professor Fanous later discloses how Fr. Mina became the Pope of Alexandria VI on May the 10th, 1959 (2 Pashons 1675 AM). Professor Fanous' sources observe that despite being ordained as the Pope during the rise of political Islamism, an indifferent Muslim president, and the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood, Pope Kyrillos VI is noted to have remained calm, wise, and silent.
Moreover, such qualities shaped Pope Kyrillos VI into a great leader and founder of the spiritual revolution for Coptic Orthodox Churches all over the world.
From appointing Patriarch-Catholicos, Abouna Baslios, for Ethiopia, laying the foundation stone for a new monastery of Saint Mina, and receiving the unprecedented apparitions of the Blessed Holy Virgin Mary in Zeitoun, Egypt; to name a few of his Holiness’ accomplishments, it is evident that Pope Kyrillos, knew his purpose. Moreover, according to sources Professor Fanous retrieved from family and fellow priests who lived during Pope Kyrillos VI’s time.
As a result, Pope Kyrillos VI received many gifts from God, including but not limited to: casting out demons, healing the sick, and prescience among others. As a result, readers can get enthused with the number of times Pope Kyrillos VI was recorded to have known people’s needs and issues, way before they even met him. For those who are curious about their own morbid thoughts of departure; it was interesting to discover that Pope Kyrillos VI also wanted to know about his time of departure. Hence, by God’s mercy, his “due date” was revealed to him.
Furthermore, as Professor Fanous writes,
“At his death bed Cyril said this to the clergy: "I am leaving to the Lord... Safeguard the Church with your keen vigil over it... may the Lord shepherd you".
Indeed, on March 9th, 1971, the world became a little more dim as Pope Kyrillos VI passed away after a short illness.
During Lent of 2021, Professor Fanous’ A Silent Patriarch: Kyrillos VI’s book, has and continues to be a perfect reminder that God will always come through. From this epic and sensational biography of the one and only Pope Kyrillos, one is taught timeless lessons. Firstly, to stand firm in the face of modern-day persecution. Secondly, to trust in God during derision of social norms. And thirdly, to make a choice to remain indifferent to personal criticisms.
Overall, anyone who plans to read this book better be prepared for the time of their life because once you start this book, you will not want to put it down. Prepare yourself for a reread once you have finished it!
Maria Iskander is a woman of God with a fiery spirit, positive mindset and stubborn personality. She has loved writing since childhood. Now, at 23 years of age, she has released numerous poems, blogs, lyrics; and most recently a book that delve into the mind of St Athanasius of Alexandria.
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