# Menas of Ethiopia

Source: https://coptic-lore-forge.lovable.app/wiki/menas-of-ethiopia — Coptic Orthodox Wiki (updated 2026-10-01)

Menas, also known as Minas, was an Ethiopian bishop traditionally placed in the sixth century, remembered for his homilies and for biblical and historical translations attributed to him.[^1][^3][^4]

## Identity and chronology

**Menas**, also called **Minas**, was an Ethiopian bishop whom Ethiopian sources list as the successor of Salama, or Frumentius, the first metropolitan bishop of Ethiopia; these sources also call him **Salama II**. The supplied biographical entry places him in the sixth century, while tradition associates him with the reign of Anbasa Wedem, before the Arab conquest of Egypt.[^1]

His place in the episcopal succession is uncertain. Axumite royal chronologies list at least twenty-five kings between the ruler contemporary with Frumentius and Anbasa Wedem, whose dates are uncertain. The source suggests that this gap may indicate a prolonged vacancy after Frumentius or his immediate successors. Alternatively, the designation “the second Salama” may signify a renewal of vigorous Christian activity under Menas rather than direct succession to Frumentius.[^2]

## Homilies

Although information about Menas is limited, at least six of his homilies survive and are read in Ethiopian monasteries at designated times during the year. Their subjects include the apostles, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, the holy cross, spring, the seventy disciples and the 318 Orthodox fathers of the Council of Nicaea, and Abba Yohannai.[^3]

## Attributed translations

The translation of the book of Revelation into Ethiopic, or Ge‘ez, is attributed to Menas. The source also considers it possible that he translated Rufinus’ account of Frumentius, entitled “The Story of How the Interiors of Ethiopia Came to Christianity,” into Ge‘ez; this attribution remains tentative.[^4]

## Sources
[^1]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)
[^2]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)
[^3]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)
[^4]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)