// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhy Anba Agapius? He's an Aba above the rest.
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Anba Agapius | |
|---|---|
| Native name | الأنبا أغابيوس |
| Church | Coptic Orthodox Church |
| Diocese | Diocese of Deir Mawas and Delga |
| Appointed | 13 November 1988 |
| Predecessor | (Diocese newly established) |
| Successor | Anba Boktor |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 17 July 1979 |
| Consecration | 13 November 1988 |
| Rank | Metropolitan (from 20 November 2022) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michel Masoud April 2, 1944 |
| Died | February 4, 2025 (aged 80) |
| Buried | Monastery of the Virgin Mary and Anba Ibrahim, Delga |
| Education | Cairo University (B.Sc. Agriculture, 1968) |
Anba Agapius (Arabic: الأنبا أغابيوس; born Michel Masoud, 2 April 1944 – 4 February 2025) was an Egyptian Coptic Orthodox bishop and later Metropolitan. He was the first bishop of the Diocese of Deir Mawas and Delga in Minya Governorate, Egypt, serving from 1988 until his death in 2025.[1]
Early life
[edit]Michel Masoud was born on 2 April 1944 in Zagazig, Sharqia Governorate, Egypt.[1] He studied at the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, and graduated with a B.Sc. in Agriculture in 1968.[2] After graduating, he worked as an agricultural engineer in Tanta and later as a supply inspector. He also volunteered at the Virgin Mary Church (al-Sagha) and the Archangel Michael Church in Tanta during this period.[2]
Monastic life
[edit]In 1977, he left his job and joined Saint Bishoy Monastery in Wadi El Natrun. He was tonsured a monk on 15 December 1977 under the name Wissa Anba Bishoy.[1] He was ordained a priest on 17 July 1979. On 1 January 1981, he was raised to the rank of Hegumen and appointed trustee of the monastery on the same day.[1]
Pope Shenouda III later sent him to serve at several Cairo churches, including Saint Mark's Church (Morkosia) in Azbakeya and the Virgin Mary Church in central Cairo.[2]
Bishop of Deir Mawas and Delga
[edit]Appointment
[edit]Pope Shenouda III consecrated him as the first bishop of the newly created Diocese of Deir Mawas and Delga on 13 November 1988. He was formally enthroned on 5 August 1989.[1]
Construction and administration
[edit]In 1991, he appointed Hegumen Wissa Sobhy as his diocesan deputy (Wakīl) to manage administrative and building projects.[3] During his tenure, the diocese undertook several building projects, including:[3]
- Rebuilding of Saint George's Cathedral as a four-storey building, completed in 2004
- Construction of the diocesan headquarters
- Opening of the first civil registration and marriage documentation office in the diocese (1991)
- Construction of Saint Lazarus Church and other parish churches in surrounding villages
- Building the outer wall of the Monastery of the Virgin Mary and Anba Ibrahim in Delga
- Ordination of clergy for the diocese's parishes
In October 2020, Pope Tawadros II held a meeting with Bishop Agapius to discuss the diocese's pastoral affairs.[4] In July 2024, Pope Tawadros II met at his residence with the clergy of the diocese to review church operations.[5]
Elevation to Metropolitan
[edit]On 20 November 2022, Pope Tawadros II elevated him to the rank of Metropolitan. The ceremony took place in the presence of ten bishops and metropolitans.[1][6]
August 2013 attacks
[edit]In August 2013, following the dispersal of the Rabaa El-Adaweya sit-in, a number of church buildings in the diocese were attacked and damaged. These included the Monastery of the Virgin Mary and Anba Ibrahim in Delga and churches in Deir Mawas. Bishop Agapius worked with Egyptian security and local authorities on damage assessment and repairs.[7]
Death
[edit]Anba Agapius was admitted to a hospital in Cairo in January 2025 due to illness. He died on 4 February 2025, aged 80.[1][8]
Pope Tawadros II led the funeral service at Saint Mark's Cathedral in Cairo on 5 February 2025.[9] His body was then taken to Deir Mawas for a second service at the Virgin Mary Church. He was buried at the Monastery of the Virgin Mary and Anba Ibrahim in Delga, as he had requested.[1][10]
Succession
[edit]After his death, Pope Tawadros II appointed Metropolitan Demetrius of Mallawi as temporary representative for the diocese.[11] On 1 June 2025, Pope Tawadros II consecrated Anba Boktor as the new bishop of the diocese.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Bishop Aghabus, Metropolitan of Deir Mawas and Delga". St-Takla.org. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "10 facts about the life of Anba Agapius, Metropolitan of Deir Mawas". Youm7. 4 February 2025. Archived from the original on 15 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Diocese of Deir Mawas Celebrates 35 Years Since the Ordination of Hegumen Wissa Sobhy". Sada El-Balad. 8 April 2026. Archived from the original on 18 April 2026. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
- ↑ "Pope Tawadros II discusses pastoral affairs with the Bishop of Deir Mawas". Youm7. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "Pope Tawadros II meets the clergy of the Diocese of Deir Mawas". Youm7. 16 July 2024. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "All you need to know about the 11 new metropolitans of the Coptic Orthodox Church". Masrawy. 21 November 2022. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ Shoukry, Nader (11 September 2013). "The village of Delga in Minya and the harvest of the war of hate". Watani Newspaper. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "Repose of Metropolitan Agapius of Deir Mawas". Veto Gate. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
- ↑ "Pope Tawadros presides over the funeral of Anba Agapius". Mobtada. Archived from the original on 18 May 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "Pope Tawadros II presides over the funeral of Anba Agapius at the Cathedral". Youm7. 5 February 2025. Archived from the original on 15 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
- ↑ "Pope Tawadros appoints Anba Demetrius as representative for Deir Mawas and Delga". Akhbar El-Youm. Archived from the original on 15 February 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "Anba Boktor, Bishop of Deir Mawas and Delga". St-Takla.org. Retrieved 31 May 2026.