The Departure of Saint Cosma, 54th Pope of Alexandria .

Also on this day, in the year 809 A .D ., St . Cosma II, 54th Pope of Alexandria, departed . Hewas born in Samanoud and became a monk in the monastery of St . Macarius . When the papalchair became vacant, the bishops and the people, with one accord, agreed to choose this father .He was ordained Patriarch and he experienced great tribulations . The believers also experiencedtribulations and great afflictions; however, some wonders appeared during his patriarchate .Among them, blood flowed from the icon of St . Mary in the church of St . Severus, in the desertof Scete (the Holy desert) . Also, many of the icons in the churches in Egypt became wet withtears . This unusual phenomenon was believed to be a result of the afflictions and sorrows thatbefell the Patriarch and the believers .In spite of all the afflictions that he experienced, the Patriarch continued teaching the believers andstrengthening them diligently and with great zeal . He stayed on the Chair of St . Mark for sevenyears and six months, then departed in peace .His prayers be with us . Amen