Abanoub

Who is Abanoub?

Saint Abanoub is 4th-century Egyptian saint and martyr. His name means gold. He was born in Nehisa in the Nile Delta to Christian parents. Abanoub was 12 when he was killed after being tortured for refusing to leave Christianity. His feast day is July 31. His relics are preserved in St. Virgin Mary and St. Abanoub Churches in Samanoud in Egypt.

He was born in the city of Nehisa. His parents were pure and merciful and they reared him in the fear of God. At age twelve, Abanoub entered the church to hear the priest asking the congregation to remain faithful during the persecutions provoked by Diocletian, the Roman emperor. Abanoub received the Holy Sacraments, then he prayed to God to guide him to where he could confess his faith in Jesus.

He returned to his house, and set before him all what his father had left him of gold, silver, and apparels and told himself it is written, "The world is passing away, and the lust of it." Straight away he rose up, and gave all his money to the poor and needy, then went to Samanoud, walking along the river bank. He confessed the Name of the Lord Christ before Lucianus the governor, who tortured him severely. Then he hung him up upon the mast of his ship,upside-down . The governor then sat down to eat and to drink, and the vessel which was in his hand became a stone. The angel of the Lord came down from heaven, released the saint, and wiped up the blood that was running down from his nose and mouth. The governor and his soldiers were greatly disturbed. Strong winds blew, that made the ship sail fast to Athribis. When they arrived, the soldiers unfastened their belts, and cast them before the governor, then confessed the Lord Christ and they received the crown of martyrdom.