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St Abanoub was born in Nehesa a village near
Talkha, Egypt. He was the only son of his parents. One day he attended
church (he was 12 years old, at the time) and listened to the priest
preaching to the people encouraging them to face the persecutions of
Decledianos (a Roman Governor who persecuted Christians throughout his
kingdom).
After St Abanoub took holy communion, he left the church and
distributed his wealth amongst the poor, and prayed so that God may guide
him to face the Governors. Saint Abanoob made his way to Samanoud, where the
Archangel Mikhail transfigured before him during prayer. The Archangel
encouraged him, and told him about the tortures he would face at Samanoud,
and that he - the Archangel - would be with him.
St Abanoub then went and confessed before the Governor of Samanoud
who tortured him with whipping until his entrails were put forth, but the
Archangel healed him. Then the Governor ordered the imprisonment of the
saint in a jail with nearly 8000 Christians. The saint encouraged those who
were with him and all 8000 were martyred for Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Governor sailed up the river Nile to Itreeb - taking the saint
with him hanging upside-down on the mast of the ship. While the Governor
drank he was rendered paralyzed and could not move, and the soldiers also
were blinded. When the Governor saw the Archangel wiped the blood from the
Saint's face, he confessed his belief in God along with the soldiers who
were with him. They were martyred by the Governor of Itreeb, and the
Governor inflicted many tortures on our saint.
Finding that the tortures were making all the people believe in Our
Lord Jesus Christ, he sent our Saint to Alexandria where the Governor
inflicted more extreme tortures on the saint. Finally he ordered the
beheading of St Abanoub, and he received the crown of martyrdom.
His body is still kept in his church at Samanoud, it makes many
miracles, and works wonders.
May his prayers be with us all, and glory be to God forever. Amen.
(From the Coptic Orthodox Church of Australia)
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