Changes

The murders of the saint tried to burn his body, but miraculously failed. The saint's body remained in the fire for three days and nights, and was not harmed by the flames. His sister came and gave the soldiers money and they let her take the body. She embarked with her brother's body on one of the ships heading to Alexandria, where they placed the saint's body in the church.

The murders of the saint tried to burn his body, but miraculously failed. The saint's body remained in the fire for three days and nights, and was not harmed by the flames. His sister came and gave the soldiers money and they let her take the body. She embarked with her brother's body on one of the ships heading to Alexandria, where they placed the saint's body in the church.

When the time of persecution ended, during the reign of Pope and Patriarch Athanasius, a vision seized the Partiarch commanding him to send the saint’s body in the desert. It was duly placed on a camel and headed towards the western desert. At the spot that the Lord had designated, the camel stopped and refused to move. There, near a well at the western end of Lake Maryut, they buried the saint's body. Today,  monastery still stands at this sacred and holy site.

When the time of persecution ended, during the reign of Pope and Patriarch Athanasius, a vision seized the Partiarch commanding him to send the saint's body in the desert. It was duly placed on a camel and headed towards the western desert. At the spot that the Lord had designated, the camel stopped and refused to move. There, near a well at the western end of Lake Maryut, they buried the saint's body. Today,  monastery still stands at this sacred and holy site.

Many years later, the Berbers raided the desert and towns around Alexandria. The people were getting ready to face the Berbers, and the ruler of the city decided to take the body of Saint Menas with him to be his deliverer and protector. He took the body secretly and through the saint's blessings and protected, defeated the Berbers and returned in safety and victory to Alexandria.

Many years later, the Berbers raided the desert and towns around Alexandria. The people were getting ready to face the Berbers, and the ruler of the city decided to take the body of Saint Menas with him to be his deliverer and protector. He took the body secretly and through the saint's blessings and protected, defeated the Berbers and returned in safety and victory to Alexandria.

When Arcadius and Honorius reigned, they ordered that a large city to be built at Maryut and named after the saint. Sick people from all over the world would visit the city and were healed by the intercession of Saint Means the Wonder Worker. This is evident from the numerous little clay bottles on which his name and picture are engraved and survive to this day. These were discovered by archaeologists in diverse countries around the world, such as Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; Dalmatia, Yugoslavia; Marseille, France; Dongola, Sudan; and Jerusalem. Visitors from these cities and others would buy these bottles, usually containing oil or water for blessing, and take them back to their relatives.

When Arcadius and Honorius reigned, they ordered that a large city to be built at Maryut and named after the saint. Sick people from all over the world would visit the city and were healed by the intercession of Saint Means the Wonder Worker. This is evident from the numerous little clay bottles on which his name and picture are engraved and survive to this day. These were discovered by archaeologists in diverse countries around the world, such as Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; Dalmatia, Yugoslavia; Marseille, France; Dongola, Sudan; and Jerusalem. Visitors from these cities and others would buy these bottles, usually containing oil or water for blessing, and take them back to their relatives.

The historian Edith L. Butcher recorded that destruction started to take place in the city, and its inhabitants were degraded after the Arab conquest. During the period after Haroun El-Rashid, a Muslim ruler, the Berbers raided the city and burned a large portion of it. At the time of El-Mamoun, the Muslim ruler ordered that the entire city be destroyed, and that it’s numerous and fine marble pillars be plundered so as to build his palaces and mosques. It is only in the 20th century that international missions began to search for the city and the church.

The historian Edith L. Butcher recorded that destruction started to take place in the city, and its inhabitants were degraded after the Arab conquest. During the period after Haroun El-Rashid, a Muslim ruler, the Berbers raided the city and burned a large portion of it. At the time of El-Mamoun, the Muslim ruler ordered that the entire city be destroyed, and that its numerous and fine marble pillars be plundered so as to build his palaces and mosques. It is only in the 20th century that international missions began to search for the city and the church.

=== The New Cathedral of Saint Menas ===

=== The New Cathedral of Saint Menas ===