The Martyrdom of St . Apanoub .

On this day, St . Apanoub (Abba Nob) was martyred . He was born in the city of Nehisa (District ofTalkha) . His parents were pure and merciful and they reared him in the fear of God . When Diocletianincited the persecution against the Christian, St . Apanoub was twelve years old, and he desired to shedhis blood for the Name of Christ .One day he went to the church, and he heard the priest teaching the believers, strengthening them in theFaith, warning them from worshipping the idols, and encouraging them to deliver themselves over todeath for the sake of the Lord Christ . He returned to his house, and set before him all what his fatherhad left him of gold, silver, and apparels and told himself it is written, "The world is passing away, andthe lust of it ." (I John 2:17) Straightway he rose up, and gave all his money to the poor and needy, thenwent to Samanoud, walking along the river bank . He confessed the Name of the Lord Christ beforeLucianus the governor, who tortured him severely . Then he hung him up upon the mast of his shiphead downwards . The governor sat down to eat and to drink, and the vessel which was in his handbecame a stone . The angel of the Lord came down from heaven, released the saint, and wiped up theblood that was running down from his nose and mouth . The governor and his soldiers were greatlydisturbed . Strong winds blew, that made the ship to sail fast to Athribis . When they arrived, the soldiersunfastened their belts, and cast them before the governor, then confessed the Lord Christ and theyreceived the crown of martyrdom .The governor of Athribis tortured St . Apanoub (Abba Nob) severely, then sent him to the city ofAlexandria . There, he was tortured until he delivered up his pure soul and received the crown ofmartyrdom . St . Julius El-Akfahsi was present, he wrote the biography of St . Apanoub, took his bodyand sent it with some of his men to his hometown Nehisa .Many churches were built in his name . Many signs and miracles were manifested from his body whichis now located in his church in the city of Samnanoud .May his prayers be with us . Amen .