St Menas

11^th November is the saint’s day for St Menas (sometimes spelled Mennas), who is probably not an everyday name for most people. He was one of many Christians who suffered martyrdom during the days of the Roman Empire, in his case during the sudden wave of persecutions that were ordered by Emperor Diocletian (probably for political rather than religious reasons) during the early 4^th century.

Menas was born in Egypt and may well have been a camel driver before he enlisted in the Roman army. His legion was active in Phrygia (modern Turkey) when the persecutions began. As a Christian, Menas could not bring himself to obey orders to punish fellow Christians for not worshipping the Roman gods, so he deserted from the army and hid in a cave in the mountains.

However, his conscience would not allow him to escape the fate that the Emperor had ordered, so he came down from the mountains, declared his faith during a public festival, and was promptly arrested.

Despite being tortured and beaten, Menas would not recant and was therefore beheaded.

Not surprisingly, given his supposed origins, St Menas is the patron saint of travelling merchants, particularly those who use camels.

© John Welford