St. Amonius Bishop & Martyrs of Esna’s Glorification | تمجيد الأنبا أمونيوس الأسقف و الشهيد و شهداء إسنا

The life of this saint remains a hymn of love, sung by the Church on the lyre of the spirit, its strings diverse and harmonious. Our saint was distinguished by his deep love for asceticism, constant joyful praise, and faithful care, offering his life and the life of all his people as a supreme sacrifice of love, a fragrance pleasing to God the Father in Christ Jesus.
St. Amunius the Bishop:
Amunius was consecrated bishop of the city of Esna during the time of St. Peter, the Seal of the Martyrs. He lived in the spirit of evangelical love, blending his asceticism with pastoral care. From Saturday to Monday, he spent time with his people, joining them in worship, preaching, guiding them, and attending to all their needs. Then he would return to a cave outside the city on the edge of the southwestern mountain, spending the rest of the week in solitude with a heart full of love for God and people, trusting in God’s care for his flock. Thus, St. Amunius was a loving ascetic among his people, and in his cave, he prayed for them with sincere spiritual fatherhood.
St. Amunius and Martyrdom:
St. Amunius prepared a host of martyrs from the people of Esna for paradise, as his sermons, his life of mortification, and his fervent heart toward heaven prepared every heart to accept martyrdom with joy.
Arianus, governor of Ansena in Upper Egypt, visited Esna several times, killing Saint Mother Dolaji, who had encouraged her four children to martyrdom, as well as four elders of the people (6 Abib). Now he returned determined to leave no Christian alive in the city.
He entered Esna from the northern gate, marching with his soldiers through the streets until reaching the southwestern gate, where he found an elderly sick woman unable to move. He asked her about the city’s people; she replied that they had heard the governor Arianus was coming to their bishop to prepare for his arrival. When he asked her about her faith, she boldly confessed it, so he ordered her death, leaving her in her home. To this day, the people of the city honor her as the Wise One, for she guided her brethren to receive the heavenly crown.
Arianus and his soldiers proceeded toward the bishop and his people, killing a group at the “Karim” waterwheel, then moving on to the Monastery of St. Isaac.
The Bishop Supports His People:
It is said that while St. Amunius prayed in his cave for his people to be strengthened in the midst of tribulation, an angel appeared to him saying, “You remain here, and the struggle is prepared for your children.” Immediately, the father left his cave and went to the Monastery of St. Isaac the Wanderer on Mount Agathon, where the people were celebrating the feast. They received him with great joy, singing praises to God. He stood among them, speaking about eternal glory and enduring suffering with joy for eternity.
After the sermon, he returned to his cave, but the people followed him, so for their comfort, he went back with them to the monastery, spending the entire night in uninterrupted hymns and spiritual exhortations about heavenly glory. At very early morning, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy and administered communion to the people, only to find Arianus and his soldiers approaching. The people received them with great joy, as though awaiting their departure from this world to meet their heavenly Bridegroom.
The governor captured the bishop while his soldiers killed the people without pause. Years ago, when excavating the “Martyrs’ Monastery” in Esna, numerous bodies were found stacked underground.
In Ansena:
Arianus took the bishop captive to Aswan, then returned him to find three illiterate farmers at the northern gate of Esna returning from the fields, saddened because they had no share with the rest of the city’s martyrs. The farmers requested the soldiers to kill them like their brethren, but the soldiers refused because their swords were worn from so many executions. When the farmers insisted on joining their brethren, the governor ordered their execution on a stone with axes. Their tomb remains to this day, and many report a fragrant incense rising from it on Sunday nights, known as the Three Farmers (Sourus – Antoukion – Meshhouri).
The governor then traveled to Ansena with the captive bishop, trying to sway him with promises and threats. He was astonished by the bishop’s dignity and courage. Finally, he prepared a fiery furnace to cast him into. The bishop requested a brief time to pray for the blessing of humanity, to remember the martyrs of Esna, and to pray for the governor’s salvation. Ultimately, he surrendered himself to be cast into the fire, and his soul departed to meet his Bridegroom on the 14th of Kiahk.