St. Abanoub of Nehisa – Egyptian Martyr and Patron Saint

ST. ABANOUB

St. Abanoub of Nehisa was a 12-year-old Christian martyr from Egypt who was persecuted during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. After donating his inheritance to the poor, he openly declared his faith and was subjected to severe torture. Despite enduring immense suffering, he remained steadfast in his belief in Christ. Miraculously healed multiple times by Archangel Michael, he continued to testify until he was ultimately martyred in Alexandria. His relics were later transferred to the Church of St. Virgin Mary in Samanoud, where they are venerated. His feast day is celebrated on July 31 (Epip 24).

Saint Abanoub, a revered Christian martyr, lived during a tumultuous period in history when the Roman Empire, under the reign of Emperor Diocletian, carried out intense persecution of Christians. Born in the city of Nehisa, in the region of Talkha, Saint Abanoub's life was marked by divine guidance, unwavering faith, and the ultimate sacrifice for Christ. His story is a testament to the strength of belief in the face of intense suffering and the transformative power of grace.

Abanoub's early years were shaped by the faith of his parents, who raised him with a strong sense of reverence for God. Tragically, his parents passed away while he was still a young child, leaving him to grow up without their physical presence. However, their spiritual legacy would profoundly impact his life. Despite his loss, Abanoub remained devoted to his faith, and by the age of twelve, he had already taken significant steps in his spiritual journey. During this time, he attended a church service where the priest urged the congregation to remain steadfast in their devotion to God amid the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

The Emperor's reign was infamous for its brutal treatment of Christians, and Abanoub, deeply moved by the priest’s words, began to reflect on his own devotion to Christ. He sought the guidance of God, praying earnestly for clarity and direction on how best to express his commitment to Jesus. Abanoub’s faith led him to make a profound decision: he would give away all the wealth and possessions that his father had left him. Determined to live out the gospel’s teachings on charity and humility, he distributed his inherited wealth—gold, silver, and clothes—among the poor and destitute, showing a deep understanding of Christian values of selflessness and compassion.

Having made this sacrifice, Abanoub embarked on a journey to Samanoud, a city situated near the banks of a river. Along the way, he experienced a powerful vision of the archangel Michael, who appeared to him and foretold that he would endure suffering for the sake of Christ in Samanoud. Despite the hardships that awaited him, Abanoub’s faith remained unwavering, and he continued his journey with courage. Upon arriving in Samanoud, he openly declared his faith in Christ before Lucianus, the local governor, boldly professing Jesus Christ as the one true Lord. His confession was not only an act of personal devotion but also a challenge to the Roman authorities, who had long been persecuting Christians for their refusal to worship Roman gods and the emperor.

Lucianus, enraged by Abanoub’s defiance, ordered that the young man be subjected to severe torture. The governor’s soldiers lashed Abanoub mercilessly, but even in the face of such brutal violence, he was not broken. It was at this point that a miraculous event occurred—Abanoub was visited by the archangel Michael, who healed his wounds, restoring him to health despite the severity of his punishment. This divine intervention only deepened Abanoub's resolve to remain faithful to Christ, even as the suffering around him grew more intense.

The following day, Lucianus, not satisfied with the punishment inflicted upon Abanoub, ordered that he be taken on a boat to the city of Athribis. There, Abanoub was subjected to further humiliation and pain as he was hung upside down from a pole. The soldiers, in a drunken stupor, mocked and tormented him, hitting him in the face and causing his nose to bleed. But in a remarkable turn of events, the soldiers who inflicted this cruelty on Abanoub were struck blind, and the governor himself was paralyzed. In their panic and desperation, the soldiers begged Abanoub to pray for their healing, vowing to convert to Christianity if they were restored to health.

Abanoub, understanding the gravity of the situation, replied with wisdom: “This will only occur in Athribis, so everyone here should know that there is no other God but Christ.” As he spoke these words, the archangel of the Lord descended from heaven, healing the soldiers and the governor. The soldiers, now fully healed, cast their regalia before the ruler of Athribis as a symbol of their newfound faith in Christ. However, instead of being moved by this miraculous event, the governor of Athribis grew enraged and ordered the execution of all those involved, including Abanoub.

Abanoub’s torment did not end with his suffering in Athribis. The governor had him sent to Alexandria, where he was subjected to even more cruel forms of punishment. Throughout all of this, Abanoub remained steadfast in his belief, and ultimately, after enduring unimaginable suffering, he died for his faith. His death was not the end of his legacy, for it marked the beginning of his veneration as a saint.

One of the key figures who chronicled the life and martyrdom of Saint Abanoub was Saint Julius El-Akfahsi. He was a contemporary who witnessed Abanoub's suffering and death, and he later took the saint’s body and arranged for it to be returned to Abanoub's hometown of Nehisa. This act of reverence ensured that Abanoub’s memory would live on among the faithful. In the year 960 AD, Abanoub’s relics were transferred to the Church of St. Virgin Mary in Samanoud, where they became a source of miraculous signs and wonders. Over the centuries, countless people have reported experiencing healing and divine intervention through the intercession of Saint Abanoub.

The churches built in Saint Abanoub’s honor stand as a testament to his enduring influence and the profound impact of his life and death on the Christian community. His feast day, celebrated on July 31 (Epip 24), is a time for Christians to reflect on the power of unwavering faith and the strength found in God, even in the most trying circumstances.

Abanoub’s life is a remarkable example of courage and devotion in the face of persecution. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by early Christian martyrs and their unshakeable commitment to their faith. The miracles attributed to him, especially after his death, continue to inspire believers and showcase the power of God’s grace. As a saint, Abanoub represents the victory of faith over adversity, and his life continues to speak to Christians around the world, offering them a powerful example of how to live a life of radical faith and sacrifice.

Feast Day

31-7-(Epip 24)

Birth Date

--

Died Date

--

Canonised Date

--

St. Virgin Mary Church, Samanoud, Egypt

Prayer Information Not Available
ST. ABANOUB

Video Not Found

No images uploaded for this saint yet.

The information you see here may be either accurate or might contain some discrepancies, as it is gathered from various sources. If you believe that any part of the details about this saint is incorrect or incomplete, we kindly invite you to share your suggestions or corrections with us. Your insights are invaluable in helping us ensure that we provide the most accurate and reliable information.

We encourage you to use the form on the left to submit any corrections or additional information you may have. Whether it's a small detail or a larger correction, we will carefully review your submission and update the information accordingly. Your contributions will not only help us maintain the integrity of the content but also benefit others who seek to learn more about this saint. We greatly appreciate your assistance in making our information more accurate and complete.

Please rest assured that your personal details will remain confidential, and your suggestions will be handled with the utmost care. Together, we can ensure that the information about this saint is as accurate and informative as possible. Thank you for your time and contribution!