Pope Abba Gabriel V

Khepra

Can anyone lead me to sources outlining the reforms of Gabriel V and perhaps explain why they took place?

lfahmy

I really don't know much about this topic. But I do remember hearing a little bit about this pope from one of Albeir's lessons. It's the third one on this page (long annual tai shouri). http://www.copticheritage.org/classes/the_divine_liturgy_hymns

Khepra

I've heard that one too.

I was told by a priest that Gabriel V moved the offertory from its original place (after the Liturgy of the Word) to its current place. Too be honest the old way seems to make more sense. I was wondering of anyone had confirmation of this change occurring.

lfahmy

Oh yes I have that. Or I know where it can be found because I don't have access to all of my sources at the moment. It's in one of the few (or maybe the only) translated english books by Abouna Athanasius Iskander. I am looking for it now.

lfahmy

Here it is. It's one of the first few sections. Just use ctrl + f and search "simply defined." 

http://stmary-ottawa.org/SS/subjects/cr/Understanding_liturgy-Acolytes_Manual[1].pdf

Khepra

Thanks a lot man. But why can't I access this server that it was on?

lfahmy

Do you mean the original site? If so, try this: http://stmary-ottawa.org/index.php.

If not, explain haha

Remnkemi

Pope Gabriel V, eighty-eighth patriarch of the See of Saint Mark
(1409-1427 AD). Interestingly, Pope Gabriel's life is fairly well documented. (You won't find anything online or on Wiki). The best information is found in the Coptic Encyclopedia. I want to quote one small part to show you how hard Pope Gabriel's papacy was:

"The notable Muslim historian al-MAQRIZI (1364-1441), a
contemporary of Gabriel V, summarized the life of the patriarch:

After having spent some time as one of the many functionaries he
rose in the ranks until he reached the patriarchal seat. The Christians
were never so unhappy as during his reign.

He himself was subjected, on several occasions, to prejudicial
treatment and humiliation. He had to go in the streets on foot. When he presented himself for an audience with the Sultan or his emirs, he was
left standing. He was so impoverished that, on more than one
occasion, he was obliged to go from village to village imploring the
generosity of the Christian population. He was unable to obtain aid
from them since they themselves were in a state of poverty and
distress.

In days gone by, the Abyssinian kings sent annually considerable
amounts of money to the patriarch of Alexandria. During Gabriel's
reign, however, they renounced this custom. They had very little
consideration for this prelate who had once been a functionary and had
thus, in their opinion, contributed to the vexations exercised against
his own people.

In short, I have never seen any patriarch who was less esteemed
than this one and whose pontificate was less honoured." 

Regarding the topic at hand, I will quote this section from the Coptic Encyclopedia:

"Gabriel V left only one written work, the Ordo (Arabic, Kitab
Tartib). He thereby reorganized the liturgy of the church, giving it
the definitive form that it currently retains. Without creating or
modifying anything in the body of the liturgy, he assembled all its
elements and traditions with minute precision and indicated all
gestures and prayers of the liturgical offices.

Gabriel's method is instructive, being set forth identically in the
two manuscripts that contain parts of the Ordo... He studied a
number of extant older ordos, lists of daily offices and feasts,
comparing them and collating a single ordo that integrated the
maximum substance of their original elements. On Sunday, 3 May
1411, at the Church of ABU SAYFAYN in Old Cairo, he assembled the priests, notables, and deacons of the entire Christian community
and submitted the new Ordo to them. The assembly gave its
unanimous approval to this Ordo and the patriarch consequently
decreed its exclusive use in all Coptic churches." 

I am working on getting Pope Gabriel's book (Arabic) with an Italian translation. I'll get back to you all with more information.

Is there something specific you are looking for in Pope Gabriel's book?