Abāmūn of Tarnūt

Abāmūn of Tarnūt is a saint and was a martyr of the fourth-century Coptic Church. He is known only from his name being mentioned in the "Synaxarion" of Mikhail of Atrib (c.1240). His feast day is 27 Abīb.

While residing in Upper Egypt, Abāmūn was a witness to the persecution of Christians at that time. He presented himself to Arianus, the governor of Antinoopolis, as a Christian. The governor tortured Abāmūn through a variety of methods, including blows, nails in the body, iron combs, and stringing him up. Thereafter, Arianus sent Abāmūn to Alexandria. There, Abāmūn's example inspired a number of other Christians to accept martyrdom.

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 their idolatry. 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.

Church of Saint Abamūn

The church of Saint Abamūn, while bearing his name, may not necessarily be devoted to Abāmūn of Tarnūt. There was another matyr 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 or Abāmūn of Tukh, who was also mentioned in the "Synaxarion" of Mikhail of Atrib. There is yet another Abamun, included in "Les Martyrs d'Égypte" by Hippolyte Delehaye, who seems to be this individual, as he was stated to have been martyred in Alexandria.

References

Atiya, Aziz S. "The Coptic Encyclopedia." New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1991. ISBN 002897025X
* [http://www.dacb.org/stories/egypt/abamun_tarnut.html www.dacb.org]