Abanoub the Confessor

Life events

1. Born

   Abanoub was born in Nehisa (Coptic: ⲛⲁⲏⲥⲓ), modern Kafr al-Abhar in the district of Talkha in the Nile Delta, the only son of Christian parents. His parents died while he was still a young child.

2. Other

   At age twelve, Abanoub entered the church in Nehisa and heard the priest urging the congregation to remain faithful during the Diocletianic persecution. He received the Holy Sacraments, then gave his entire inherited estate — gold, silver, and clothing — to the poor.

3. Pilgrimage

   Abanoub walked from Nehisa to Samanoud along the river bank. During the journey he experienced a vision of the Archangel Michael, who told him he would suffer at Samanoud.

4. Imprisoned

   At Samanoud, Abanoub confessed his Christian faith before the governor Lucianus and denounced the governor's idols. Lucianus ordered him flogged; the hagiographic account reports that the Archangel Michael healed his wounds.

5. Other

   Lucianus transported Abanoub by boat to Athribis, suspended upside down from the ship's mast. The hagiography records that the soldiers were struck blind and the governor paralyzed; an angel released Abanoub and healed his wounds before strong winds carried the vessel to Athribis, where the soldiers were restored and converted.

6. Martyred

   After severe torture at Athribis, Abanoub was sent to Alexandria, where he was tortured until death — beheaded according to the tradition. Julius El-Akfahsi, who composed the biography of Abanoub, was present at the execution and arranged for the body to be returned to Nehisa.

7. Translated — 960

   In 960 AD, Abanoub's body was transferred to St. Virgin Mary Church in Samanoud (ancient Sebennytos). His relics remain enshrined there and in St. Abanoub Church in the same city.

Relationships

Documented claims

• Abanoub is venerated in the Coptic tradition under the title 'The Child Martyr,' having been killed at age twelve for refusing to renounce Christianity during the Diocletianic persecution. (likely)
• The name Abanoub (Coptic: ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ) is linguistically related to the ancient Egyptian god Anubis, illustrating how Coptic personal names of the early Christian period retained pre-Christian Egyptian roots. (likely)
• The Coptic feast of Abanoub falls on Epip 24 in the Coptic calendar, corresponding to July 31 in the Gregorian calendar. (certain)
• The earliest known account of Abanoub's martyrdom was written by Julius El-Akfahsi, who was present at the execution in Alexandria and subsequently arranged for the body's return to Nehisa. (plausible)
• According to Coptic tradition, many miracles have been manifested from Abanoub's relics, which are kept in St. Abanoub Church in Samanoud, formerly Sebennytos. (legendary)