The 9th Day of the Blessed Month of Babah
The Departure of Saint Eumenius, the Seventh Pope of the See of St. Mark
On this day of the year 146 A.D. departed St. Eumenius the seventh Pope of the See of St. Mark. Pope Abremius, the fifth Pope, had ordained him a deacon and he served ten years in this position. When St. Yustus, the sixth Pope, was appointed, he saw how he excelled in knowledge and faith, so he ordained him a priest. He entrusted to him the teaching of the believers of the church of alexandria asking him to look after him and to teach them the principles of the Orthodox faith. When Pope Yustus departed, this father was chosen patriarch. He handed down the care of the churches and the teaching of the believers to father Marcianus who later became his successor. He continually restored the strayed sinners explaining to them plainly the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ and his being one in His divine essence. He stayed on the chair for thirteen years and departed in peace.
May his prayers and blessings be with us all. Amen.
Eclipse of the Sun in the year 958 of the Martyrs
On this day also, in the year 958 of the martyrs, during the reign of King El-Saleh Ayob and the papacy of the father the Patriarch Abba Kyrillos III, the seventy-fifth Pope of the See of St. Mark, a stupendous thing happened in the world which amazed those who beheld it or heard of it. That thing was that the sun became gradually dark until darkness spread everywhere and they saw the stars in the daytime. People lit lamps and were struck with great fear. They cried out to God the Almighty with all their hearts asking for His compassion and mercy. The Lord had mercy upon them and removed their fear and the darkness was lifted all at once and the sun appeared to light up the world. Then the lamps were extinguished. That occurred from half past eight to half past nine during the day. the people glorified God who was long-suffering towards them and did not deal with them according to their sins but according to His mercy and patience.
To Him is the Glory in His Church. Amen.
Commemoration of Simon the Bishop
On this day also is the commemoration of Saint Simon the bishop.
May his blessings and prayers be with us all, and Glory be to God forever. Amen.