A native of Egypt, he was a Roman soldier who won great respect for his valour and bravery. Yet, as he was fighting for the empire his legion was commanded to capture and enslave Christians. He renounced his army career, left his legion and retreated to the mountains for solitary prayer and contemplation. Sometime later, he came to a Pagan festival, condemned the worship of the idols in public and announced that he was a Christian. Brought before the governor, he withstood cruel tortures and was beheaded. Christians recovered some of his remains and buried them with honour in the Alexandria region. Years later, his tomb became a place of pilgrimage for many Egyptians and Christians from around the world.
