# Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria

> 117th pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church (1923–2012)

**Wikidata**: [Q87455](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87455)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Shenouda_III_of_Alexandria)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pope-shenouda-iii-of-alexandria

## Summary
Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria was the 117th pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church, serving as its spiritual leader from 1971 until his death in 2012. Born Nazir Gayed Rafail in 1923, he was a theologian, writer, and bishop who played a significant role in the modern history of the Coptic Orthodox Church. His life and career spanned pivotal eras in Egyptian history, including the Kingdom of Egypt, the United Arab Republic, and the modern Arab Republic of Egypt.

## Biography
- **Born:** August 3, 1923
- **Died:** March 17, 2012
- **Nationality:** Egyptian (held citizenship in the Kingdom of Egypt, Republic of Egypt, United Arab Republic, and Egypt)
- **Education:** Cairo University
- **Known for:** Serving as the 117th Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church; theological scholarship and writing
- **Employer(s):** Coptic Orthodox Church
- **Field(s):** Theology, Religion

## Contributions
Pope Shenouda III's primary contributions were defined by his leadership of the Coptic Orthodox Church and his recognition in the fields of peace and human rights. He served as the 117th pope, guiding the church through decades of political transition in Egypt. His work as a theologian and writer contributed to the religious and intellectual life of his community. He was internationally recognized for his efforts, receiving the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize and the Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights, acknowledging his impact on tolerance and human dignity. Additionally, his scholarly contributions were honored with an honorary doctorate from the University of Bonn.

## FAQs
**When did Pope Shenouda III serve as Pope?**
He served as the 117th pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church from 1971 until his death on March 17, 2012.

**What was Pope Shenouda III's birth name?**
His birth name was Nazir Gayed Rafail.

**Where did Pope Shenouda III receive his education?**
He attended Cairo University, a public university located in Giza, Egypt.

**What awards did Pope Shenouda III receive?**
He received the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize, the Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Bonn.

**What political states did Pope Shenouda III live through?**
During his lifetime, he held citizenship in the Kingdom of Egypt, the Republic of Egypt, the United Arab Republic, and the Arab Republic of Egypt.

## Why They Matter
Pope Shenouda III matters as the 117th leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the largest Christian community in the Middle East, positioning him as a major figure in modern religious history. His tenure bridged distinct political eras in Egypt, from the monarchy through the short-lived United Arab Republic to the modern republic. His receipt of the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize and the Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights highlights his broader influence beyond ecclesiastical boundaries, recognizing his contributions to peace and human rights. As a theologian and writer educated at Cairo University, he represents the intersection of academic scholarship and religious leadership.

## Notable For
- Serving as the 117th Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
- Being born Nazir Gayed Rafail.
- Receiving the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize.
- Receiving the Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights.
- Being awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Bonn.
- Occupations as a theologian, writer, bishop, and presbyter.
- Holding citizenship across four different Egyptian political states (Kingdom, Republic, UAR, Arab Republic).
- Having an official portrait taken by White House photographer Chuck Kennedy.

## Body
### Identity and Early Life
Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria was born on August 3, 1923, under the name Nazir Gayed Rafail. He was a human member of the species Homo sapiens who grew up during a transformative period in North African history. His life began in the Kingdom of Egypt, a sovereign state that existed from 1922 until 1953. He passed away on March 17, 2012.

### Nationality and Historical Context
Throughout his life, Pope Shenouda III's nationality reflected the shifting political landscape of his region. He held citizenship in the Kingdom of Egypt, the Republic of Egypt (1953–1958), and the United Arab Republic (1958–1971). The United Arab Republic was a short-lived federal republic and sovereign state formed as a union between Egypt and Syria under President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Although the union dissolved in 1961 when Syria seceded, Egypt continued to use the name United Arab Republic until 1971. Following this period, he was a citizen of the Arab Republic of Egypt (Egypt), a transcontinental country spanning Northeast Africa and Southwest Asia.

### Education
Pope Shenouda III pursued higher education at Cairo University. This institution, founded in 1908 as Fuad I University, is a prominent public university located in Giza, Egypt. It is a major center for research and innovation in the Middle East and Africa, known for faculties such as Engineering, Medicine, and Science. His education at this establishment connected him to a network of notable alumni and placed him within a significant academic tradition in Egypt.

### Professional Roles and Occupations
Pope Shenouda III had a diverse professional background within the Christian clergy. He was ordained or consecrated as a bishop and served as a presbyter. His work extended beyond clerical duties into the intellectual sphere; he was recognized as a scholar of theology (theologian) and a person who used written words to communicate ideas (writer). These roles culminated in his elevation to the position of the 117th pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

### Leadership and Tenure
As the 117th pope, he led the Coptic Orthodox Church. His leadership occurred during a time when Egypt was a founding member of the League of Arab States and a key player in regional politics. The country, under leaders like Gamal Abdel Nasser and later others, navigated issues such as pan-Arab nationalism and the Cold War. Pope Shenouda III's tenure required him to guide his community through these complex socio-political dynamics.

### Awards and Recognition
Pope Shenouda III received several significant awards recognizing his contributions to society and human rights.
*   **UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize:** An award established in 1996 that he received, highlighting his dedication to peace and tolerance.
*   **Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights:** An annual Libyan human rights award established in 1988, which he was awarded.
*   **Honorary Doctorate:** He was granted an honorary doctorate from the University of Bonn in Germany, acknowledging his scholarly and spiritual impact.

### Media and Documentation
An official photograph of Pope Shenouda III was taken by Chuck Kennedy as part of the Official White House Photostream, titled "Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria by Chuck Kennedy (Official White House Photostream).jpg". This image serves as a visual record of his interaction with international leadership.

### Data and Identifiers
Pope Shenouda III is cataloged in numerous international databases and libraries, reflecting his global significance. He is identified by various authority control numbers, including the Library of Congress Control Number (n85181291), the International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) 0000000121388620, and the VIAF ID 71504436. His Wikidata entry is Q831474, and he is listed in the Integrated Authority File (GND) under the number 119056321.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
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5. Integrated Authority File
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10. [Egypt's Coptic Christian pope dies at 88. CBS News](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57399461/egypts-coptic-christian-pope-dies-at-88)
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