Pope
Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, the 118th Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Pope of Alexandria & Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II was born Wagih Sobhi Baqi Suleiman on November 4, 1952, in Mansoura, Egypt. He studied pharmacy at Alexandria University, graduated in 1975, and later studied at the Coptic Orthodox Seminary. He entered the Monastery of Saint Pishoy in Wadi El Natrun in 1986, became a monk in 1988, served as a priest, and was appointed a general bishop in 1997. On November 4, 2012, he was chosen as the 118th Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church and was enthroned on November 18, 2012.
AT A GLANCE
Birth Name
Wagih Sobhi Baqi Suleiman
Birth Date
November 4, 1952
Birth Place
Mansoura, Egypt
Education
Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Alexandria University, 1975
Seminary
He graduated from the Theological Seminary in Alexandria in 1983.
Monastic Life
He became a monk on July 31, 1988.
Monastic Name
Theodore Ava Pishoy
Bishop
Appointed general bishop on June 15, 1997
Enthronement as Patriarch
Enthroned on November 18, 2012
Pope Tawadros II was born in Mansoura, Egypt, as Wagih Sobhi Baqi Suleiman. He grew up in a Christian family and his life was closely connected to the Church from an early age.
Saint Bishoy
1952
Wagih Sobhi Baqi Suleiman — born in Mansoura, Egypt.
1975
Received a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Alexandria University.
1986
Joined the monastic community of St. Bishoy Monastery in Wadi El Natrun.
1990
Became a monk under the name Father Theodore El-Anba Bishoy.
1997
Consecrated as General Bishop for Youth Ministry and Assistant to Metropolitan Anba Pakhomious.
2012
Chosen as the 118th Patriarch on November 4, 2012, and enthroned as Pope of Alexandria on November 18, 2012.
Continue Exploring the Monastery
One of the most beautiful and largest historic churches in Wadi El Natrun — foundations from the 4th century AD.
READ MORE →
Located on the seaward side of the historic Church. Pope Shenouda III requested to be buried there.
READ MORE →
Adjacent to the Shrine of Pope Shenouda III. Contains the body of Anba Sarabamoun and his priestly clothes.
READ MORE →
Built by King Zeno in the 5th century AD. A refuge for monks during Berber attacks with a drawbridge pulley system.
READ MORE →