Pope Agatho of Alexandria

For other people named Agatho, see Agatho (disambiguation).

Saint Agathon of Alexandria, was the 39th Pope of Alexandria & Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.^[4] St. Agathon was a disciple^[1] of Pope Benjamin I, the 38th Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church so when Pope Benjamin had to flee to avoid persecution by the Chalcedonians, Agathon remained and led the church.^[3]

Saint Agathon of Alexandria
Pope of Alexandria & Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
Papacy began	661[1] or 662[2]
Papacy ended	677[1] or 680[2]
Predecessor	Benjamin I
Successor	John III
Personal details
Born	Egypt
Died	26 October 680 Egypt
Nationality	Egyptian
Denomination	Coptic Orthodox Christian
Sainthood
Feast day	26 October (16 Babah in the Coptic calendar)[3]

Agathon served like this until Pope Benjamin returned and died, at which time Agathon was officially named the pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church. This happened during the time of the Muslim conquest of Egypt and when Muawiyah I was ruling.^[2] Unlike most popes who first serve as monks,^[5] Agathon had never been a monk prior to becoming pope- yet he was successful.^[4] During his time as pope, the building of St. Macarius Church in the monastery at Wadi El Natrun was completed.^[1]

Like many others before and after, according to the Coptic Orthodox Church, he was harassed. Sometime during his papacy, he was persecuted by a Melkite Byzantine Patriarch named Theodocius, who through his authority, levied large taxes on Agathon, made the people hate him and asked that he be killed. For this reason, Agathon stayed hidden in his cell until the threat of Theodocius went away.^[1][3] Based on church beliefs, he chose his successor based on a dream where an angel told him who should follow him.^[3]