St. Mena I

He was born from righteous parents, who at first were not able to have children. His mother, Euphemia, prayed before the icon of the Virgin requesting a child. A voice came to her, saying: “Amen,” and thus she called her son, “Mena.”

​At age 15, he served in the Roman army and was distinguished for his valor in war. He renounced his rank and withdrew to devote himself to ascetic struggles and prayer in the mountains for five years.

​When persecution broke out against the Christians, he confessed his Christianity before Diocletian. As a result, he was inflicted with many torments and finally burned alive.

​According to tradition, when they tried to move his relics back to his homeland, the camels upon which he was laid stopped at Mariout, where the saint desired to be buried.

​At a later time, his remains were recovered and the miracles that were reported at his tomb soon made it a great center of devotion.

​A hymn dedicated on his behalf says: “With great valor of soul, you strove in martyrdom, and having fought the good fight, O divine great martyr Mena, you received the gift of miracles from heaven, for God has shown you to the world as a worker of great signs, and He made you our protector and a swift help in afflictions and ever-vigilant defense from heaven.”

​In the icon, he is dressed in an inner white tunic (for his purity) and a red outer robe (for his martyrdom). Also, the two camels who carried his body are on either side of him.

Icon Size Details:

Small:  3” x 6” inches

Medium:  5.5” x 10.5” inches

Large:  10” x 19” Inches