A silent patriarch – Kyrillos VI (1902-1971): life and theological legacy

This thesis seeks to engage in a critical evaluation of the life and influence of one of the Coptic Orthodox Church’s foremost twentieth-century patriarchs, Azer Youssef Atta who became Pope Kyrillos (Cyril) VI. He lived from 1902-1971 and reigned as patriarch from 1959 to 1971. In 2013 he was canonised by the Coptic Church, who cited his great virtue and influence. The period preceding his reign left the Church in trauma and division. The divisions were generational as well as ecclesiastical. Prior to his reign, Egypt had experienced political independence, which resulted in unforeseen economic and political tensions. Kyrillos’ reign as the patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church also came at a time that saw the Church confronted by political Islam, including the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Despite his ubiquitous fame in Egypt, until now Kyrillos’ life has been testified to only in “common hagiography” without any great measure of scholarly analysis. In fact, even the hagiographies are rare and exceedingly brief. This thesis, therefore, will critically appraise his life in its social and theological contexts and reveal a man who brought light to Christian Orthodoxy from its darkest point. It will also examine claims concerning the virtues and method of this “holy man” that are often overlooked by the “hype” that surrounded claims about his almost daily miracles; indeed, this has been the characteristic mark of all the extant hagiographies. There has been no study thus far (in any language) of his theological legacy, writing, or ecclesiology. The aim of this thesis is a full-scale analysis of the life of Kyrillos as well as a thorough examination of his theological and ecclesial legacy. The thesis will bring to light and analyse as yet unknown and unpublished material – material that provides significant insights into this celebrated figure – and discern and detail his method of ecclesial reform; a method that may speak profoundly to the ecclesiastical uncertainties of the present age.