Abamun of Tarnut | |
|---|---|
| Martyr | |
| Born | 4th century Tarnut,Egypt |
| Died | 372 Alexandria, Egypt |
| Venerated in | Oriental Orthodoxy (Coptic Orthodox Church) Eastern Orthodox Churches Catholic Church |
| Feast | 3 August (27Epip) |
Abāmūn of Tarnūt is a saint and was amartyr of the fourth-centuryCoptic Church. He is known only from his name being mentioned in theSynaxarion of Mikhail of Atrib (c.1240). His feast day is 3 August (27Epip).
Abāmūn was from the city ofTarnut (Arabic:طرنوط.,Coptic:ⲑⲉⲣⲉⲛⲟⲩϯ,romanized: Therenuti) He came toUpper Egypt, and was a witness to the persecution of Christians at that time. He presented himself toArianus, the governor ofAnsena, as a Christian. The governortortured Abāmūn through a variety of methods, including blows, nails in the body, iron combs, and stringing him up. Thereafter, Arianus sent Abāmūn toAlexandria.[1] There, Abāmūn's example inspired a number of other Christians to acceptmartyrdom.
One of the others who was inspired by Abāmūn's example was a girl named Theophila. She criticized the governor and his allies, specifically including criticism of theiridolatry. For this, she was cast into the fire. The fire did not harm her, however, so she was subsequently beheaded.
Abāmūn himself had his limbs cut off and was beheaded.
The church of Saint Abamūn, while bearing his name, may not necessarily be devoted to Abāmūn of Tarnūt. There was another martyr of similar description who bore the same first name, and because the church only mentions a Christian name, it cannot be sure whether the church was dedicated to Abāmūn of Tarnūt orAbāmūn of Tukh, who was also mentioned in theSynaxarion of Mikhail of Atrib. There is yet another Abamun, included inLes Martyrs d'Égypte byHippolyte Delehaye, who seems to be this individual, as he was stated to have been martyred in Alexandria.
