Pope Kyrillos VI

Pope Kyrillos VI was born in 1902 in Damanhour, Egypt, and his given name was Azer Youssef Atta. From a young age he was deeply drawn to monastic life and intense prayer. He was ordained a monk and spent years as a hermit — first in a cave in the desert and then remarkably in an old windmill near Cairo, praying alone for hours each day, surviving on very little food.

He was chosen as Pope in 1959 and served until his death in 1971. Despite being thrust into the spotlight of papal leadership, he never lost his spirit of deep personal prayer and humility. He was known for spending hours in prayer before the altar each day, often from midnight until morning. Many miracles of healing were witnessed and documented during his papacy.

One of the most remarkable events of his pontificate was the apparitions of the Virgin Mary at the church of Zeitoun in Cairo, which began in 1968. Millions of people — Christians and Muslims alike — witnessed the glowing figure of the Virgin Mary appearing above the church domes over a period of years. It was witnessed and documented internationally. Pope Kyrillos died in 1971 and was glorified as a saint by the Coptic Church in 2013. He is considered a wonderworker and his icon hangs in countless Coptic homes.