"Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd." These were put under an altar and the holy liturgy was celebrated on it for three days. Then a boy drew out a slip. If the one with the holy name was drawn, this was a sign that God chose none of the candidates, so new ones replaced them. In the past the election was often made a mere form by the intrusion of someone whom the Moslem authorities desired, or who had bribed them. Now, the Patriarch is always a monk from the great monastery of St. Antony in the Eastern desert, by the Red Sea.[1] The bishops choose him by lot. He receives the orders of deacon and priest, and is made an abbot (ḳummuṣ), if he has not these qualities already. He is then ordained bishop during the holy liturgy. The eldest bishop presides, but all lay their hands on him. He is enthroned, acclaimed by the people, and gives his blessing. The Patriarch's full title is: "Most holy Pope and Patriarch of the great city Alexandria and of the places subject to Egypt, of Jerusalem the holy city, of Abyssinia, Nubia, the Pentapolis, and of all places where St. Mark preached."[2] But there are alternative, longer titles, in which the old epithet, "Judge of the world" occurs.[3] The Patriarch is the supreme authority in his Church. He cannot be deposed for any cause; he alone appoints and ordains all bishops; he alone consecrates the Holy Chrism. His income consists of free offerings, to which every Copt contributes, stole-fees and stipends for ordinations, also of considerable funds invested for
3 Vansleb: Hist. de l'Église d'Alexandrie, p. 7. The title "Judge of the World" has been assumed by both the Orthodox and the Coptic Patriarchs of Alexandria; according to the usual account, since St. Cyril presided at Ephesus. Renaudot: de Patr. Alex. (Lit. Or. Coll. i. 348-349). "Pope" ((
Greek characters)) is simply late Greek for "Father." As far as the word goes, it might be assumed by any bishop or even priest (as in Russia). It is only gradually that titles get a special technical sense. The sometimes suggested derivation from Coptic Pi-abba (Abba with the strong article) is fantastic and absurd. The title Anbā, used for saints, and now given generally only to the Patriarch, is not easy to explain. It is generally understood as a form of (Greek characters) (Syriac: Abbâ), and is translated "Father." See Wüstenfeld's introduction to Al-Maḳrīzī (ed. cit. p. 6). The Arabic Abū (Father) in Egypt is often contracted to Bū. This form (bū) is not inflected.
