Verena
Encyclopedia
Verena is venerated as a saint by the Coptic Orthodox Church and by the Roman Catholic Church
. According to tradition, she was associated with the Theban Legion
and died on the 4th day of Thout
(September 14).
Tradition states that she was brought up in the 3rd century in the Theban region (modern day Luxor
in Upper Egypt
) in a noble Christian
family, who handed her over to Bishop Sherimon, Bishop of Beni Suef
, who in turn taught her and baptized her as a Christian.
in its mission to Rhaetia (part of modern day Switzerland
) and was a relative of Saint Victor of the Theban Legion
. The soldiers' relatives were allowed to accompany them in order to look after them and take care of their wounds.
When Saint Maurice
, Saint Victor and the other members of the Theban Legion
were martyred, Saint Verena led the life of a hermit
. First, she settled in a place called Solothurn
, but later moved into a cave near present-day Zurich
.
she comes from Garagous village, Qous, Qena, Egypt.
As a hermit, Verena fasted and prayed continuously. According to tradition, she performed several miracles. Verena was particularly concerned over young girls and used to look after them spiritually and physically, due to her expertise as a nurse.
As a result of her fame, legend states that the local governor arrested her and sent her to jail
, where Saint Maurice appeared to her to console and strengthen her. She was released from jail, and continued to perform miracles. Due to her, many converted to Christianity
. Saint Verena was interested in serving the poor and used to offer them food. Moreover, she enjoyed serving the sick, especially those suffering from leprosy
. She used to wash their wounds and put ointments on them, not fearing infection. She died at Switzerland.
, brought to Egypt
a part of Saint Verena’s relic
s.
The first Coptic church consecrated in the name of Saint Verena is Saint Maurice
and Saint Verena’s Church in Cairo
, which was consecrated by HH Pope Shenouda III on February 22, 1994.
In October 2004, a delegation from Saint Verena's (Saint Mary & Saint Verena's) Coptic Church in Anaheim, California
in the United States of America, along with His Grace Bishop Serapion of Los Angeles and Fr. Joseph Boules, traveled to Switzerland
to bring a part of Saint Verena's relics to Anaheim. Her church in Anaheim now has a museum dedicated to her relics and artifacts.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. According to tradition, she was associated with the Theban Legion
Theban Legion
The Theban Legion figures in Christian hagiography as an entire Roman legion — of "six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men" — who had converted en masse to Christianity and were martyred together, in 286, according to the hagiographies of Saint Maurice, the chief among the Legion's...
and died on the 4th day of Thout
Thout
Thout , also known as Tout, is the first month of the Coptic calendar. It lies between 11 September and 10 October of the Gregorian calendar...
(September 14).
Tradition states that she was brought up in the 3rd century in the Theban region (modern day Luxor
Luxor
Luxor is a city in Upper Egypt and the capital of Luxor Governorate. The population numbers 487,896 , with an area of approximately . As the site of the Ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, Luxor has frequently been characterized as the "world's greatest open air museum", as the ruins of the temple...
in Upper Egypt
Upper Egypt
Upper Egypt is the strip of land, on both sides of the Nile valley, that extends from the cataract boundaries of modern-day Aswan north to the area between El-Ayait and Zawyet Dahshur . The northern section of Upper Egypt, between El-Ayait and Sohag is sometimes known as Middle Egypt...
) in a noble Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
family, who handed her over to Bishop Sherimon, Bishop of Beni Suef
Beni Suef
- Overview :Beni Suef is an important agricultural center, which grew from a small village at the turn of the century and now hosts a population of over 200,000. It was famous for its linen manufacturing in the Middle Ages, and continues to be heavily involved in cotton-spinning and carpet-making....
, who in turn taught her and baptized her as a Christian.
Travel to Switzerland
According to tradition, Saint Verena joined the Theban LegionTheban Legion
The Theban Legion figures in Christian hagiography as an entire Roman legion — of "six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men" — who had converted en masse to Christianity and were martyred together, in 286, according to the hagiographies of Saint Maurice, the chief among the Legion's...
in its mission to Rhaetia (part of modern day Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
) and was a relative of Saint Victor of the Theban Legion
Theban Legion
The Theban Legion figures in Christian hagiography as an entire Roman legion — of "six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men" — who had converted en masse to Christianity and were martyred together, in 286, according to the hagiographies of Saint Maurice, the chief among the Legion's...
. The soldiers' relatives were allowed to accompany them in order to look after them and take care of their wounds.
When Saint Maurice
Saint Maurice
Saint Maurice was the leader of the legendary Roman Theban Legion in the 3rd century, and one of the favorite and most widely venerated saints of that group. He was the patron saint of several professions, locales, and kingdoms...
, Saint Victor and the other members of the Theban Legion
Theban Legion
The Theban Legion figures in Christian hagiography as an entire Roman legion — of "six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men" — who had converted en masse to Christianity and were martyred together, in 286, according to the hagiographies of Saint Maurice, the chief among the Legion's...
were martyred, Saint Verena led the life of a hermit
Hermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
. First, she settled in a place called Solothurn
Solothurn
The city of Solothurn is the capital of the Canton of Solothurn in Switzerland. The city also comprises the only municipality of the district of the same name.-Pre-roman settlement:...
, but later moved into a cave near present-day Zurich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
.
she comes from Garagous village, Qous, Qena, Egypt.
As a hermit, Verena fasted and prayed continuously. According to tradition, she performed several miracles. Verena was particularly concerned over young girls and used to look after them spiritually and physically, due to her expertise as a nurse.
As a result of her fame, legend states that the local governor arrested her and sent her to jail
Jail
A jail is a short-term detention facility in the United States and Canada.Jail may also refer to:In entertainment:*Jail , a 1966 Malayalam movie*Jail , a 2009 Bollywood movie...
, where Saint Maurice appeared to her to console and strengthen her. She was released from jail, and continued to perform miracles. Due to her, many converted to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. Saint Verena was interested in serving the poor and used to offer them food. Moreover, she enjoyed serving the sick, especially those suffering from leprosy
Leprosy
Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions...
. She used to wash their wounds and put ointments on them, not fearing infection. She died at Switzerland.
Return of Part of relics to Egypt
In 1986, a delegation from Saint Verena’s Church in SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, brought to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
a part of Saint Verena’s relic
Relic
In religion, a relic is a part of the body of a saint or a venerated person, or else another type of ancient religious object, carefully preserved for purposes of veneration or as a tangible memorial...
s.
The first Coptic church consecrated in the name of Saint Verena is Saint Maurice
Saint Maurice
Saint Maurice was the leader of the legendary Roman Theban Legion in the 3rd century, and one of the favorite and most widely venerated saints of that group. He was the patron saint of several professions, locales, and kingdoms...
and Saint Verena’s Church in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, which was consecrated by HH Pope Shenouda III on February 22, 1994.
In October 2004, a delegation from Saint Verena's (Saint Mary & Saint Verena's) Coptic Church in Anaheim, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in the United States of America, along with His Grace Bishop Serapion of Los Angeles and Fr. Joseph Boules, traveled to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
to bring a part of Saint Verena's relics to Anaheim. Her church in Anaheim now has a museum dedicated to her relics and artifacts.