Damian of Alexandria
Damian of Alexandria (died 605) was the Coptic pope and patriarch of Alexandria from 576.
Saint Damian of Alexandria | |
|---|---|
| Pope of Alexandria & Patriarch of the See of St. Mark | |
| Papacy began | 26 June 576 |
| Papacy ended | 25 June 605 |
| Predecessor | Peter IV |
| Successor | Anastasius |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Syria |
| Died | 25 June 605 Egypt |
| Buried | Ennaton, monastery near Alexandria |
| Nationality | Syrian |
| Denomination | Coptic Orthodox Christian |
| Residence | Saint Mark's Church |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 25 June (18 Paoni in the Coptic calendar) |
Originally from Syria, where his brother was a prefect in Edessa, he became a monk in his early years and spent sixteen years in the Egyptian desert of Scete, where he was ordained a deacon in the monastery of St. John the Short. Afterward, he went to a monastery near Alexandria and continued to practice asceticism.
When Pope Peter IV of Alexandria was enthroned on the See of St. Mark, he made Damian a private secretary, during which Damian earned much esteem for his goodness. After Peter's death in 569, the bishops unanimously agreed to ordain him a patriarch. In addition to pastoring the church, he wrote many epistles and discourses, including a reaffirmation of the miaphysite and non-Chalcedonian views. He reigned for almost thirty-six years.