Pope John XI of Alexandria

Pope John XI of Alexandria was the 89th Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark (May 11, 1427 – May 4, 1452).

Before his enthronement as Pope, his name was Farag. After his enthronement, he became known as John El-Maksi because he was from El-Maksa district in Cairo. His Papal residence was in the patriarchal cell in Haret Zewala in Cairo.

He was contemporary to Al-Ashraf Sayf-ad-Din Barsbay, Al-Aziz Jamal-ad-Din Yusuf, Az-Zahir Sayf-ad-Din Jaqmaq, and Al-Mansur Fakhr-ad-Din Uthman, the Burji sultans of Egypt. During his Papacy, the Copts encountered many hardships that the kings of Ethiopia threatened the Burji Mamluks to cut the flow of the Nile because of their persecution of the Christians. John XI was forbidden to communicate with the kings of Ethiopia and Nubia without the permission and knowledge of the sultans.

John XI was enthroned on 16 Pashons, 1143 A.M. (May 11, 1427 A.D.). He occupied the Throne of Saint Mark for 24 years, 11 month, and 23 days. He departed on 9 Pashons, 1168 A.M. (May 4, 1452). He was buried in the tomb of the Monastery of El-Khandak. The Papal Throne remained vacant after his departure for 4 months and 6 days.

Preceded by
Gabriel V
Coptic Pope
1427—1452
Succeeded by
Matthew II
Patriarchs of Alexandria
Patriarchs prior to the
Chalcedonian schism
(43–451)
  • Mark I (Founder)
  • Anianus
  • Avilius (AKA Melius)
  • Kedron
  • Primus
  • Justus
  • Eumenes
  • Markianos (Considered Mark II by Greek side of later schism)
  • Celadion
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  • Demetrius
  • Heraclas
  • Dionysius
  • Maximus
  • Theonas
  • Peter I
  • Achillas
  • Alexander I
  • Athanasius I
  • Peter II
  • Timothy I
  • Theophilus I
  • Cyril I
  • Dioscorus I
Coptic Orthodox Popes & Patriarchs
(451–present)
  • Timothy II
  • Peter III
  • Athanasius II
  • John I
  • John II
  • Dioscorus II
  • Timothy III
  • Theodosius I
  • Peter IV
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  • Agatho
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  • Isaac
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  • Alexander II
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  • Cyril VI
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  • Theodoros II (Current)
Greek Orthodox Patriarchs
(451–present)
  • Proterius
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  • Timothy III
  • John I
  • Peter III
  • Athanasius II
  • John II
  • John III
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  • Gregory IV
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  • Peter VII
  • Theodore II (Current)
  • Category
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