Gabriel VIII was originally from Meer, Egypt and his lay name was Shenouda.
He became a monk in the Monastery of Saint Pishoy in Scetes and was ordained on Sunday, 16 Paoni, 1303 A.M. (June 20, 1587 AD).
The Copts at the time accepted these decisions, but the fasts were reinstituted after his death.
Gabriel VIII died on 9 Pashons, 1319 A.M. (May 14, 1603 AD) in the Syrian Monastery.
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