Priesthood
He was ordained as a priest at the age of eighteen. At which time he left for the St. Anthony's monastery then to Palestine, and worked in construction. Upon hearing of the persecution of Copts because of the actions of the Crusaders', he returned to St. Anthony's Monastery. at that time he was appointed abbot of the monastery.
Shortly after his ordination, Prince Yalpogha led the monks and their abbot in humility through the streets of Cairoin an attempt to convince the prince and the authorities that the Crusader's actions were unconnected to the Copts. The Crusader's sack of Alexandria roused the ruling prince and his men against the local Christians (including) Copts. Afterwards, Matthew left for Al-Muharraq monastery. Matthew was also a monk at the Monastery of Saint Fana.
Read more about this topic: Pope Matthew I Of Alexandria
Famous quotes containing the word priesthood:
“The priesthood in many ways is the ultimate closet in Western civilization, where gay people particularly have hidden for the past two thousand years.”
—Bishop John Spong (b. 1931)
“The priesthood is a marriage. People often start by falling in love, and they go on for years without realizing that that love must change into some other love which is so unlike it that it can hardly be recognised as love at all.”
—Iris Murdoch (b. 1919)