RIZKALLA OF MAGAGA

 
IT WAS CUSTOMARY FOR POPE KYROLLOS TO PRAY THE FEAST MASSES AT SAINT MARK’S CATHEDRAL IN AZBAKIA,KLOOT BAEK. SOME OF THE PROMINENT GOVERNEMENT FIGURES (EG THE PRESIDENTAND THE PRIME MINISTER) ATTENDED THESE MASSES. OUT OF COURTESY, THE FIRST TWO PEWS IN CHURCH WERE RESERVED FOR THESE PEOPLE, ON THESE OCCASIONS.

DURING ONE OF THE EASTER MASSES CONDUCTED BY HIS HOLINESS IN THE 1960’S, A MAN FROM UPPER EGYPT (HE WAS WEARING THE CUSTOMARY UPPER EGYPTIAN ATTIRE), SAT IN THE FIRST PEW WHICH WAS RESERVED FOR THE PROMINENT GOVERNMENT FIGURES WHO WOULD BE IN ATTENDANCE THAT NIGHT.

POPE KYROLLOS SENT A PRIEST TO INFORM THE MAN THAT THIS SEAT IS RESERVED, AND ASKED HIM TO GO AND SIT ELSEWHERE. HOWEVER, THE MAN DID NOT UNDERSTAND, AND HE REFUSED AND DID NOT MOVE. HIS HOLINESS THEN SENT THE MAN BISHOP SAMUEL, WHO CONVEYED TO HIM THE POPE’S REQUEST FOR THE SECOND TIME. HOWEVER, THE MAN AGAIN INSISTED ON NOT MOVING AND SAID:

“ NO ONE RESERVES SEATS IN CHURCH…. ALL THE SEATS ARE FOR EVERYBODY, RICH AS WELL AS POOR”.

HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE TRUE REASONS FOR RESERVING THOSE SEATS.

WHEN ALL ATTEMPTS FAILED, HIS HOLINESS EXITED FROM THE ALTER AND WENT DIRECTLY TO THE MAN AND SAID TO HIM:

“ WHAT IS THE MATTER RIZKALLA OF MAGAGA? GO AND STAND NEXT TO THE WALL AND DO NOT MOVE UNTIL I INSTRUCT YOU TO”.

THE MAN STOOD UP AND WENT TO STAND NEXT TO THE WALL. HE LOST ALL STRENGTH AND COULD NOT STAND UNTIL THE END OF THE MASS.

AFTER THE MASS, THE MAN APPROACHED POPE KYOLLOS ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS AND FOR THE POPE’S BLESSING. POPE KYROLLOS GAVE HIM A BLESSING, AND THE MAN REGAINED HIS STRENGTH AND WAS VERY HAPPY.
 

BELIEVE AND YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE SERIES

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