Father
Abdelmessieh
“Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves”
The Story In Summary
A 20th Century Coptic Saint
Father Abdelmessieh El-Makari (or El-Manahri) was a Coptic Orthodox monk and priest, and a 20th century Coptic saint.
Pope Kyrillos VI - the 116th Pope of Alexandria (1959-1971)- testified to the holiness and asceticism of this contemporary saint, and said he is among the rank of hermits.
His life
Saint Abdelmessieh El-Makari was born in 1892 in the village of Abou Shehata, El-Minya governorate, in upper Egypt. His name was Samaan (Simon). His parents were Christians. His father was a wealthy man with many possessions of land and cattle. Being the only boy among many sisters, his father relied on him in taking care of his family and possessions.
But Samaan had another plan. He wanted to be a spiritual warrior in the army of celibates. Thus, he left the world and headed to the Monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor in Upper Egypt. He did so several times, and each time, his father would come to the monastery and bring him back home. His forced returns were associated with the death of a large number of his father's cattle.
At last, his father allowed him to do what he wanted, so he joined the Monastery of Saint Makar, (hence the name "El-Makari") also known as Macarius in the Great in the desert of Scetes (Wadi El-Natrun) and became a monk by the name of Abdelmessieh (The servant of Christ).
In the Monastery
He led an extremely ascetic life and offered a superior example of true monastic life. He used to stay in his cell in complete solitude for several days. He had one simple meal every day in the evening, and he memorized many parts of the church hymns and praises.
His spiritual father and guide -Father Abdelmessieh El-Masoudi- told him to go out of the monastery to serve people. He also advised him to flee from vain glory and honour, following the rule of the fathers of the desert.
"Indeed, concealing virtues after perfecting them is an act of the highest degree of spirituality."
His service in El-Manahra
Finally, he moved to El-Manahra village, El-Minya -this is why he is also called "El-Manahri"- and God honoured him with the gifts of prescience and discerning of spirits.
He performed wonders and miracles exactly like those done at the hands of the apostles, and he used to cover up his spiritual gifts and virtues with some "unusual" behaviour to avoid hearing words of praise from people (as per his spiritual father's advice). But all people of the whole region testify to his holiness.
Of those virtues we may mention:
+ First, his marvellous purity for which he was put to the test and came out victorious.
+ Second, he was distinguished for his strict asceticism and continuous vigilance. Whether he was at
the monastery or out in the world, he spent his nights praising and praying with tears asking for
God's forgiveness for sinning or causing others to sin.
+ Third, he was known for his wonderful humility. He fled from praise in spite of the fact that he
had the gift of healing the sick.
+ Fourth, he was very compassionate and gave everything he was given to the needy.
+ Fifth, our good God gave him the gift of prescience, so he knew who was coming to see him and
also knew the exact day of his own departure.
His departure
Father Abdelmessieh was crowned with the crown of righteousness and good fighting as he departed our world on Easter Sunday morning of the year 1963. Right before his departure, he was telling everyone,
"I will be crowned and celebrate on Easter day."