Ava Kyrollos, spiritual father of many, leaded a very religious life connected with God. He was chosen from the cradle to be a great saint and the 116^th pope and patriarch of Alexandria and the See of St.Mark.

His worldly name was Azer, was born on August 2,1902. He belonged to a very simple and religious family. He had two other brothers. His father was a deacon in St. Mary Church in Damanhour. His home was always open for monks. The first prophesy to his monastery life, when father Tadros El- Baramousy visited them. He had weak eyes due to his advanced age. Azer who was not yet four years old found comfort in the old monk’s company and enjoyed looking at his bread.
One night Azer fell asleep on the monk’s lap, when his mother apologized, rushing to carry the boy, the elderly monk stopped her by saying “Let him sleep here because he is from our stock, he is one of us”. And from that day on, Azer truly was one of them. He no longer enjoyed wearing a new suit unless he put a black apron on top of it. When he finished his high school, he joined a shipping company. He was respected by all his managers because of his honesty. He was preparing himself silently; his private room was a small cell to raise his prayers.

Azer surprised everyone with his resignation. When his manager objected, Azer said, “As I have a very important task to fulfill, please accept my resignation as of the end of June 1927”.Azer knocked the monastery door, by meeting Bishop Youanis. Azer actually accompanied the monks who were studying in the Theological College in Alexandria.

Early in the morning on July 27,1927, Azer left his worldly life to reach his first step towards the monastery life. He was accompanied by father Bishara El-Baramousy who was provided with a letter of recommendation to the head of El-Baramous Monastery.

The second prophecy happened when they reached the monastery. Father Bishara introduced Azer to the Abbot (the head of the monastery) as a visitor, one of father Youanis’s sons. The Abbot made him stay in the guesthouse and turn the generator for lighting and give him supper. The morning father Bishara presented Bishop Youanis’s letter to the Abbot and when he knew that Azer was a new monk, he ordered the bell to be rang, and when the other monks were informed all the story, they forecasted that Azer would likely become a person of great importance.

In the monastery, Azer was a servant to the others; his assignment was to take care of the monastery kitchen. He filled the water pitchers for the elderly monks who were unable to go to the water pump or carry their pots.

On November 25,1928 with the vespers, then the midnight prayers, Azer bowed in front of the Alter; at that moment, the monk Mina was born and Azer left the world to go towards Heaven. Father Jacob was known as a silent monk as he never speak to anyone, his love to the monk Mina made him speak and say “Dear son, may God Blessing be with you and may He grant you His Grace, and pave your path so that you will be successful in all you do …” The Monk Mina leaded his monkshood life with a very strict low which is”Love every one, but keep yourself distant”.

On Sunday, July 18,1931, Monk Mina was ordained as a priest retaining the name “Mina”. Father Mina fled away from false glorify as Pope Youanis wanted to ordain him as a Bishop of Gharbia and Behira. Father Mina chose a cave which was about one hour from the monastery to solitude. But every Saturday right, he was coming to the monastery to wash his clothes and the clothes of the elder and sick fathers.

Father Mina to Old Cairo and took the permission from The Pope to stay at the Eastern Mountain, near the Malak El-Kibly Monastery in one of the windmills. This windmill was in an isolated place without any roof. Father Mina used to pray in the church of Archangel Michael. When Hegumenos Dawood knew how Father Mina lived in this wild place, he ordered some men to build a roof and another store to be a church.

After sometime father Mina known to the people with his meekness and his connection with God. All the people came to him to pray for them. He and his beloved people thought about building a place to be a church named after the great martyr; Saint Mina. This place in Old Cairo was named St. Mina’s Monastery. It also became a shrine for those who wanted God’s blessing.

Father Mina was chosen to be the head of Anba Samuel Monastery. He was obliged to obey even though he did not want to leave his cell at the windmill.

The Heavenly Invitation had begun by a dream or a prophecy sent to Father Mina. When Pope Youanis reposed in the Lord, Father Mina saw him while he was taking a nap. He was surprised that the Pope made such an effort to climb the mountain; the pope said to Father Mina“I’m saddened that the papal stuff broke while I was climbing the mountain” Father Mina said”I wish he pope would leave it with me for a while” The pope gave it to him”. Father Mina fixed it and returned it. The pope rejoiced, examined it carefully and said”Take Father Mina, I am giving it to you” He took it happily from his hand.

This prophecy is really from God. Sunday The nineteenth of April 1959, Metropolitan Athanasius celebrated A Divine Liturgy. Three papers were put on the Altar. One for Father Demian El-Meharaqi; Father Angelos El- Meharaqi; and Father Mina El-Baramousy. The name of Father Mina El-Baramousy was chosen. At that moment all the Coptic people rejoiced and raised many thanks for God. The news reached father Mina who broke into tears while praying the Divine Liturgy in St. Mina’s Monastery in Cairo. After on Sunday, the ninth of May 1995. Father Mina went to El-Baramous Monastery. Early Sunday morning, on May 10, 1959 (Bashans the second), father Mina opened the church door with the key that was handed to him while saying,”Open the door of righteousness to me”. The Ordination was broadcast live, and was attended by Mr. Anwar El-Sadat, Deputy of President Gamal Abdel Naser. Father Mina became Pope Kyrollos the Sixth.

Becoming the Pope did not change him. But he felt his great responsible towards his sons. His prayer increased as he was called Pope of prayers. He was very meek Pope. He refused to wear the Chasuble and the Crown even during the opening of the new Cathedral in Abassia. He always says” Christ fled to Egypt and did not find a place to rest his head”. Words alone can not describe Pope Kyrollos’ modesty and meekness.

Pope Kyrollos has a very spiritual vigilance. He is indeed a man of God. During his period many miracles were happened. Many Minas were born after the name of father Mina. Because of his forecasting of their borning. Pope kyrollos was a very honest Shepherd who leaded his mass to the Heaven. When Pope Kyrollos’ life ended, he knew his hour. One of his sons said that he was visiting Pope Kyrollos every week. When he was ready to leave, Pope kyrollos said,”don’t come next week as I will travel away”. In the same day, next week, when he reached the Cathedral, he knew that father Ava Kyrollos left world and traveled to Heaven the third of Marsh 1971. Pope Kyrollos left the world, but didn’t leave his spiritual sons. He prayed for us and many Miracles still happening every day allover the World.