(CE:2028b)
PSEUDO-PISENTIUS OF QIFT. An apocalypse falsely attributed to Pisentius was circulated as being the pastoral letter of a bishop caring for his flock and near death. One part admonishes his flock to be steadfast in the faith and live a life worthy of a Christian. The other part gives prophecies of a future moral decline and the horrors to follow. The misfortune of having foreign rule is given in great detail. The transmitted text is a translation of a Coptic original dating from after the ARAB CONQUEST OF EGYPT but before the tenth century.
In the historical part, the leader of the enemy of the Egyptians is Mumadamus, announced by the apocalyptic number 666 (Rev. 13:18). The new Babylon (Old Cairo) is occupied, and the land is plundered mercilessly. "Turks" come from the east and rule from Akko and Yemen to the limits of Abyssinia. God sends help to the Christians in the form of a king of the Romans, Constantine, and he makes the reconquered Babylon-Egypt his residence. But he himself is a "Chalcedonian," believing in the two natures of Christ, so the king and patriarch of Abyssinia attempt to convert him. This comes about through a miracle when, during a joint celebration by the patriarchs and Roman dignitaries, the Holy Spirit itself appears at the EPICLESIS at the altar of the Eastern patriarchs, showing the correct faith. The Romans convert and burn the Chalcedonian books. Ten Roman emperors succeed, and the tenth, the last legitimate king on earth, goes to Jerusalem with his army to worship the cross. The eleventh is the precursor of the Anti-Christ.
VINCENT FREDERICK
