Menas of Ethiopia
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]
Also known as: Minas · Menas · Salama II
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
References
Sources
- 1.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)
MINAS (fl. sixth century) Ethiopian sources list Bishop Minas (Menas) as the successor of the first Ethiopian metropolitan bishop, Salama or Frumentius, and call him Salama II. He flourished, according to tradition, during the reign of Anbasa Wedem, before the Arab conquest of Egypt.
- 2.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)
However, in the chronologies of Axumite kings, no less than twenty-five kings are listed between the king who ruled during Frumentius' metropolitanate and the reign of Anbasa Wedem (his dates are uncertain). This may indicate that the chair of the metropolitanate was vacant for a long time after Frumentius or his immediate successors. Minas's designation as "the second Salama" could simply mean a fresh start of vigorous Christian activities in Ethiopia with Bishop Minas as its leader.
- 3.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)
Although the information on Minas is sketchy, he did enrich the literary tradition of the Ethiopian church with a number of homilies. At least six of these are extant and are read in Ethiopian monasteries at designated times in the year. They include the homilies on the apostles, dormition of the Virgin Mary, the holy cross, season of spring, the seventy disciples and the 318 Orthodox fathers of the Council of Nicaea, and Abba Yohannai.
- 4.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)
The translation of the book of Revelation into Ethiopic or Ge‘ez is also ascribed to Minas. It is also possible that the translation into Ge‘ez of Rufinus' work on Frumentius, "The Story of How the Interiors of Ethiopia Came to Christianity," is this bishop's achievement.
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This article was drafted from the sources listed above with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor before publication.