Monastery of Saint Mina

Monastery of Saint Mina

Location within Egypt
Monastery information
Other names	Deir Mari Mina
Established	1959
Dedicated to	Saint Menas
Diocese	Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
People
Founder(s)	Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria
Important associated figures	Bishop Mina Ava-Mina
Site
Location	Mariut, Alexandria
Country	Egypt
Coordinates	31°9′11″N 29°53′55″E / 31.15306°N 29.89861°E / 31.15306; 29.89861
Public access	Yes

The Monastery of Saint Mina is a Coptic Orthodox monastery located in the Western Desert near Alexandria. The modern monastery is built close to the ruins of Abu Mena, the original pilgrimage site, which was destroyed by the Arabs during the Muslim conquest of Egypt of the mid-7th century.

Following the execution of Saint Mina, his sister brought his body to a church in Alexandria. When the time of persecution ended, during the papacy of Pope Athanasius of Alexandria, an angel appeared to the Pope and ordered him to load the saint's body on a camel and head towards the Western Desert. At a certain spot near a water well at the end of Lake Mariout, not far from Alexandria, the camel stopped and wouldn't move. The Christians took this a sign from God and there buried Saint Mina's body after placing it in a silver coffin. The coffin was later placed inside decay-resistant wood and buried at the same location.

During the early fifth century, the body's location was forgotten. Years later, a shepherd was feeding his sheep in that location, and a sick lamb fell on the ground. As it struggled to get on its feet again, its scab was cured. The story spread quickly and the sick who came to this spot recovered from whatever illnesses they had just by lying on the ground. During that time, the daughter of Zeno, the Christian Byzantine emperor, was leprous. His advisors suggested that she should try that place, and she did. At night Saint Mina appeared to the girl and informed her that his body was buried in that place. The following morning, Zeno's daughter was cured, and she related her vision about the saint to her servants.