Martyr 7th century

Martyr Mirax of Egypt

Also known as Mirax of Tanis

A Christian who fell away under temptation but repented, publicly confessed Christ, and was martyred after rejecting his apostasy.

Feast Day

December 11

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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Mirax of Egypt

Life

Mirax of Egypt was a seventh-century martyr who, according to his synaxarion life, was born into a Christian family in the city of Tanis in the Nile Delta. Though raised in the faith, he fell away under temptation, renounced Christianity, and embraced Islam, before later repenting, returning to the Church, and being put to death for confessing Christ.

His life is remembered chiefly as an account of apostasy followed by repentance and martyrdom, set in Egypt during the early decades of Muslim rule. He is commemorated on December 11 and is venerated as a martyr in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions.

Timeline 4 moments Read Hide

7th century Birth at Tanis Mirax was born into a Christian family in the city of Tanis, Egypt, and was raised in the faith.
7th century Apostasy Yielding to temptation, he trampled on a cross and went before the Emir, the Muslim ruler of Egypt, declaring himself a Muslim. His parents grieved over his fall and prayed continually for him.
7th century Repentance and return Moved, by his life's account, to deep repentance, Mirax returned home and resolved to confess his renewed Christian faith openly.
around 640 Martyrdom He appeared before the Emir and announced that he had become a Christian once more. The ruler condemned him to torture, after which he was beheaded and his body cast into the sea.

Contributions & Legacy

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Life and Martyrdom

The surviving account of Mirax, drawn from the synaxarion, presents him as a young Christian of Tanis in Egypt who abandoned his faith. He is said to have trampled on a cross and gone before the Emir, the Muslim governor of Egypt, openly professing Islam. His parents, grieving over his downfall, are remembered for praying without ceasing for his return.

According to the same account, he came in time to repentance and went home, after which he resolved to confess Christ publicly. Returning before the Emir, he declared that he had become a Christian again. For this confession he was tortured and then beheaded, and his body was cast into the sea, an event placed by tradition around the year 640.

Veneration

Mirax is commemorated on December 11. He is venerated as a martyr in the Eastern Orthodox Church and is also listed among the saints of the Eastern Catholic Churches.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints