That figure was His Grace Metropolitan Pachomios, Metropolitan of the Diocese of Beheira, Matrouh, the Pentapolis, and the Five Western Cities, and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Macarius the Alexandrian.
Born on 17 December 1935 in Menoufia, he later moved across various cities before settling in Cairo to pursue his studies.
He earned a Bachelor of Commerce from Ain Shams University in 1956, then continued theological studies at the Coptic Theological and Clerical College (1959–1961) and the Higher Institute of Coptic Studies.
In 1962, he joined monastic life, was ordained a priest, and served in Sudan from 1967 to 1971.
That December, he was consecrated Bishop of the newly formed Diocese of Beheira, which he built from the ground up. It eventually became one of the largest dioceses in Egypt.
He served the diocese for nearly 54 years, earning him the distinction — as Pope Tawadros II described — of being the senior-most Metropolitan in the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Following the death of Pope Shenouda III in March 2012, he acted as Patriarch, guiding the Church through a delicate transition.
Though not officially numbered among the Popes — as Coptic patriarchs are traditionally counted by succession — he became known as the “unnumbered patriarch” for his widely admired interim leadership.
For eight months, from March to November 2012, he led the Church with prudence and stability during a politically turbulent time.
He gracefully handed over leadership to Pope Tawadros II after a transparent papal election.
At the enthronement ceremony, he famously addressed his spiritual son: “You served under my care; now I serve at your feet.”
His leadership during that period drew favourable comparisons to Egypt’s then-ruling Muslim Brotherhood, whose tenure was marked by growing public dissatisfaction over divisive policies.
Metropolitan Pachomios, by contrast, navigated immense internal and external pressures with steadfastness, even at great cost to the Church.
Above all, he prioritised national unity and stability. He did not allow any individual — regardless of rank or authority — to jeopardize those principles.
For this patriotic resolve and other courageous stances, senior Egyptian officials came to describe him as a "man of state".
In doing so, he followed the example of past patriotic Coptic leaders, such as Pope Boutros VII (El-Gawly), who famously rejected Russian protection for the Coptic Church in the 19th century, affirming his loyalty to Egypt.
That same spirit was echoed years later when Pope Tawadros II, following the burning of over 100 churches in 2013, declared: “A homeland without churches is better than churches without a homeland.”
In 2021, during the golden jubilee of the Diocese of Beheira, then-Minister of Local Development and Governor of Beheira, General Hisham Amna, described Metropolitan Pachomios as “the lion of Beheira, a great man, a metropolitan of gold, a religious symbol of tolerance, generosity, goodness, and giving [...] a Christian icon shining with love and peace for Egypt and all humanity.”
He also praised the Metropolitan’s “encyclopaedic knowledge” and personal character, which had earned the admiration of Muslims and Christians alike.
Pope Tawadros similarly praised his mentor’s unwavering service, wisdom, humility, and love for both Church and country.
In response, Metropolitan Pachomios simply said: “What I did was no more than my duty to my country and Church. How beautiful it is to live as a servant to others — to all.”
His love for Egypt was not only expressed in words but instilled in his spiritual children, among whom I am honoured to count myself. He led by example, fostering a spirit of selfless service across his diocese.
His community service was inclusive, offered to all regardless of age, gender, religion, or social class. Long before the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, he outlined ten principles for community work.
These included: “No hungry person shall be deprived of food; no sick person of treatment; no student of education; no unemployed person of work; no prisoner of service; no disabled person of care; and no human being of shelter.”
His vision took root across diverse settings — urban, rural, coastal, and desert — and focused especially on healthcare and education.
He was committed to providing affordable, high-quality medical and educational services, and helped establish schools and hospitals staffed by the best professionals he could attract.
He strongly believed in the transformative power of education.
At a school he founded in Damanhour, the capital of Beheira, he ensured that students not only received academic instruction, but were also equipped with skills such as critical thinking, communication, and collaboration — along with core values like honesty, responsibility, perseverance, and generosity.
Just days before his final illness in March, he attended the opening of a new theatre at the school, emphasizing the importance of extracurricular activities in nurturing well-rounded individuals.
From the 1980s, he was among the first in the Church to offer pre-marital counselling to engaged couples, helping them understand the responsibilities of marriage and the foundations of family life.
In countless ways, Metropolitan Pachomios was ahead of his time. His name echoes that of another great figure in Christian history — St Pachomius of Canonia, one of the founding fathers of monasticism.
In Coptic, ⲡⲁϧⲱⲙ (pakhōm) means eagle or falcon, a symbol of strength, grace, and vision.
Like the eagle, Metropolitan Pachomios soared above narrow perspectives, offering a far-sighted, compassionate, and principled leadership that left a lasting mark.
He listened deeply, responded thoughtfully, and acted with unwavering commitment to Church and country.
For all of this, he has rightly earned a place in the hearts of many Egyptians — both Christian and Muslim — and leaves behind a legacy of wisdom, integrity, and service.
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