Type: | Pope |
Honorific-Prefix: | Pope |
Gabriel III | |
Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark | |
Enthroned: | 1268 |
Ended: | 1271 |
Predecessor: | John VII |
Successor: | John VII |
Birth Name: | al-Rashīd Farajallāh |
Birth Date: | 20 October 1208 |
Birth Place: | Egypt |
Death Date: | 5 July 1274 |
Death Place: | Egypt |
Buried: | Church of St. Mercurius |
Religion: | Coptic Orthodox Christian |
Residence: | The Hanging Church |
Pope Gabriel III of Alexandria (born al-Rashīd Farajallāh; 20 October 1208 – 5 July 1274) was the 78th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark from 1268 to 1271.[1] [2]
He was originally one of the candidates for the Papal post when Pope John VII was elected. With support from some of the Bishops, Gabriel III replaced John VII and reigned for three years until his death, when John VII was reinstated. This is the only occasion in history when the Coptic Orthodox Church had two Popes at the same time.[3]
Gabriel III died on 5 July 1274 and was buried at the Church of St. Mercurius in Cairo.