Father Mina Abood
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Father Mina Abood is one of the most beloved modern saints of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
He was born on September 16, 1974, in Aswan to Christian parents. At a young age, his father passed away in a car accident. His widowed mother raised him in a Godly manner, instilling in him a deep love for Christ and the Church.
Before his priesthood, he served for many years at St. Mary Church in Al-Amiriya, Alexandria, where he dedicated himself to teaching hymns and rites. He founded a school for Coptic hymnology to pass on the treasures of the Church to the surrounding community. He also took an active role in the Diocese of Youth under His Grace Bishop Moussa, serving young people with love and humility.
Later, he was nominated for the priesthood and was ordained on March 3, 2012, to serve at the Church of St. Mina in Al-Masaeed, El-Arish (North Sinai).
His spiritual father, Fr. Boules Habib, who served with him in Al-Amiriya, gives us a glimpse into his spiritual struggles before his martyrdom:
“Later, I could only produce a sigh and express to him, ‘Father, like flowers, the Lord is allowing you to be crushed, so that your aroma may emanate to all mankind. We cannot comprehend the reason for this warfare, but what I am confident in is this: The Lord is preparing you for something larger than we can ever imagine.’ He beamed at me with his famous smile and said, ‘Father, I do not deserve such an honor.’”
Fr. Mina was also remembered for his simple but profound saying: “My home is in heaven; this is the land of sorrow.”
Fr. Mina Abood’s life is a perfect example of joy through humility. He accepted God’s call and was faithful in all his service because of his love for Christ. Yet not once did he grow proud or self-seeking but remained a humble servant before the Lord. As St. Paul teaches, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
On July 6, 2013 (Paona 29, 1729 A.M.), after celebrating the Divine Liturgy in El-Arish, Fr. Mina was driving near the church when he was ambushed by a group of masked Islamist militants. These armed men had been targeting Christians in the Sinai region during a wave of violence that followed the political upheavals of Egypt’s 2011 revolution and the 2013 ousting of President Mohamed Morsi. Christians, and especially clergy, were viewed as symbols of the Church’s resilience and were attacked to spread fear and drive them out of the area.
Fr. Mina was stopped on the road, pulled from his car, and shot multiple times at close range. He died instantly, offering his blood as a witness to Christ. By his killing, the attackers intended to silence the Church’s voice in Sinai and to terrorize the Christian population there. Yet, as in the days of the early martyrs, his death became instead a testimony of courage and faith. As St. Augustine said: “The martyrs are witnesses to the truth, both by word and by death. They loved not their lives even unto death, because they held fast to Him who is true life.”
Like the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the flock (John 10:11), Fr. Mina remained faithful to his priestly calling even in the face of mortal danger. He knew the risks of serving in North Sinai, but chose to remain with his people, strengthening them by his example until his last breath. As St. Cyprian of Carthage taught, “The bishop is in the Church, and the Church is in the bishop; and if anyone is not with the bishop, he is not in the Church.” By laying down his life, Fr. Mina embodied this pastoral unity, never abandoning his flock.
May we learn from his example to bring God’s love to all people with humility, just as Fr. Mina served everyone with a joyful smile. As the Apostle reminds us, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). May his prayers and intercessions be with us all.
Sources
- Anthony Marcos, A Spring in Sinai: Hieromartyr Mina Abood: His Life, Miracles, and Martyrdom in Post-Revolution Egypt.
- “Madeeha for Fr. Mina Abood.”
- Holy Bible (ESV).
- St. Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Catholic Church, §5 (ANF, Vol. 5).
- St. Augustine, Sermon 329 on the Martyrs (PL 38:1450; NPNF, First Series, Vol. 6).