(c. 590–661 AD)
Coptic patriarch of Alexandria. He was born at Barshut in the western Delta and in 620 joined a monastic community at Canopus. He later served as assistant to the patriarch Andronicus of the Coptic Church, succeeding him in 622. In 631, he opposed Cyrus, the newly appointed orthodox patriarch and prefect of Egypt who tried to end the religious divisions in Egypt by force. Benjamin fled into hiding, and the resultant instability undoubtedly aided the Arabic conquest of Egypt in 642. He was later restored to office, but the division of the Christians into Coptic and orthodox communities with separate patriarchs remained permanent. He remained on amicable terms with the new Islamic rulers. He died on 3 January 661.
Historical Dictionary Of Ancient Egypt by Morris L. Bierbrier
Ancient Egypt. A Reference Guide. EdwART. 2011.