The name “Tawadros” means “a gift from God” in the Coptic language. His Holiness was born as Wagih Sobhi Baqi Suleiman on 4. November 1952 in the city of Mansoura in Egypt and grew up in a religious home.
Many of his family members consist of priests and clergy. His father was an engineer, his mother a housewife and he has two younger sisters.
+ In 1975, he received a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Alexandria University.
+ In 1979, he received a scholarship for industrial pharmacy from Alexandria University.
+ In 1983, he received a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Clerical College in Alexandria.
+ In 1985, he was granted a fellowship with the World Health Organization“WHO” by the British International Health Institute.
+ In 1999, he studied business administration in Singapore.
+ On March 31st, 2015, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Beni Suef University for supporting the Social Peace.
+ He gave several lectures at universities all around the world (USA, Sweden, Canada, etc.).
+ On August 20th, 1986, he joined the monastic life in the Monastery of Saint Pishoy in Wadi El Natrun and on July 31st, 1988, he became a monk with the name Theodore Ava Pishoy.
+ On February 10th, 1990, he began his service as an ordained priest in the diocese of Beheira, Matruh and other cities.
+ On June 15th, 1997, he was appointed general bishop for serving the youth and assisting His Eminence Metropolitan Pachomius, Metropolitan of Beheira.
He was also responsible for the children’s issues committee in the Holy Synod.
+ On November 4th, 2012 – on his 60th birthday – he was chosen to be the 118th Patriarch.
+ On November 18th, 2012, H.H. Pope Tawadros II was enthroned in a grand traditional ceremony where he was handed over the papal staff, the cross from the holy altar, and the leadership of priesthood. There were thousands of bishops, priests, clergy members and Christian representatives from all over the world, as well as public figures and governmental authorities at the enthronement.