Menas of Egypt

Saint Menas of Egypt was born in 285 at Nikiou, near Memphis, to devout Christian parents who had long prayed for a child. Tradition says his mother, Euphemia, heard the word “Amen” while praying before an icon of the Virgin Mary, and so named her son Menas. Orphaned of his father at fourteen, Menas entered the Roman army at fifteen and served with distinction, yet after a few years he withdrew to the desert to live as a hermit, giving himself wholly to Christ. After five years of solitude, he was strengthened by a heavenly call promising crowns for purity, ascetic struggle, and martyrdom. Menas then openly confessed his faith before the authorities and refused to renounce Christ. He was executed around 309, honored as a martyr and wonder-worker. His relics were venerated near Lake Mariout, where a great pilgrimage shrine arose and countless healings were attributed to his intercession. He is invoked as a protector of pilgrims and merchants, and is patron of places including Eleftheroupoli, Heraklion, Kastoria, Krya Vrysi, Salamina, and Santomenna. His feast day is November 11.