and settle in their country, and they both responded and
spent the rest of their lives there. Eusebius was soon elected
Bishop there because he was "a treasure of religion".^2 At his
death his friend and compatriot Anatolius was regarded as
the foremost scholar of his time in literature, in science, and
in philosophy. Mathematics also were as familiar to him as
the natural sciences. He followed in the footsteps of his
predecessors and published works of great educational value
to the people of his time concerning the Christian points of
view.^3
These teachers of the Church, with Abba Maximos at
their head, carried on their work with joy and delight, as the
Church enjoyed the prosperity of peace for the space of
twelve successive years.
Unfortunately, very little remains of the writings
either of those teachers or of Abba Maximos. Although we
do not even have a biography of this Pope, tradition accords
him a high reputation of sanctity and industriousness. He
guided the affairs of the Church during the twelve years of
peace, then he rested in His Lord.
- After Maximos, the Chair of Alexandria was
entrusted into the hands of Abba Theonas, a man full of
grace and fear of God. To him was granted the honour of
building the first Church since St. Mark's Cathedral. For
though great Saints preceded him as successors of the
Apostle, yet, like King David of old, they were not privileged
to build God's house; while he, like King Solomon,^4
received this Grace of erecting this house of Christian
worship on the ancient shores of the Nile.
For many years, because of the successive
persecutions the Christians could not hold their prayers
except in private houses, in hiding places, and in cemeteries,
even during the times of peace. The new Church was built in