Who Was Pope Kyrillos?

In 1959, the Coptic Orthodox Church faced a turning point. The 115th pope had passed, and a new leader was needed. Father Mina, a respected priest and hermit, served quietly at the Church of Saint Mina in Old Cairo. Few imagined him as pope—he was a man of silence, not speeches. Yet, God guided the choice. On May 10, 1959, in Saint Mark’s Cathedral, a sacred tradition unfolded: names of candidates were placed on the altar, and a blindfolded child drew one. When the slip read “Father Mina,” tradition says gasps filled the church, but Mina, aged 56, bowed his head, accepting God’s call. He was ordained Pope Kyrillos VI, the 116th Pope of Alexandria, vowing to serve all with love.

His first day as pope showed his heart. Crowds gathered to meet him, from poor farmers to city priests. Exhausted, he stood for hours, blessing each person individually, his smile never fading. One tale says a woman traveled miles with her sick child, and through Kyrillos’ prayers, guided by Christ, the child's fever broke that night—a sign of miracles to come. Unlike rulers who hide behind walls, Kyrillos opened his door to all, praying in the early hours. His papacy was about service, not power, building Saint Mark’s Cathedral and uniting Copts during Egypt’s struggles.

This divine choice reached beyond Copts. In 1959, Kyrillos ordained Ethiopia’s first patriarch, Abuna Basilios, strengthening ties between churches. The boy’s hand, guided by God’s will, chose a man whose prayers touched millions. For children, Kyrillos’ story teaches that God sees the humble—those who pray in windmills—and lifts them to serve His glory.