Saint Abraham of Farshut, an esteemed abbot and saint in the Coptic Church, holds a significant place in the calendar of saints for the Coptic Church and, by extension, all Oriental Orthodox Churches. Born in the 5th or 6th century in Farshut, Egypt, the details of his death remain unknown. His feast day, a celebration of his sanctity and contributions, is observed on February 12.

 

Abraham's early life unfolded in Farshut, near the present-day city of Huw. Despite being born to Christian parents of local prominence, Abraham faced adversity when his parents passed away when he was just twelve years old. In an attempt to uphold his religious convictions, Abraham, at the age of thirteen, endeavored unsuccessfully to persuade his sister to maintain her virginity.

 

Seeking a life dedicated to monastic ideals, Abraham joined the monastery of Pachomius at Pbow. At that time, the monastery was under the leadership of Pshintbahse. Following Pshintbahse's demise, Abraham was elected abbot. However, his journey took a momentous turn when Justinian I requested his presence in Constantinople, aiming to reconcile monks who opposed the decision of the Council of Chalcedon with the broader church. This event, believed to have occurred between 535 and 548, led to Abraham's removal as archimandrite when he staunchly refused to conform to the council's decision.

 

Despite Theodora's efforts to influence Justinian's stance, Abraham, in a letter to his monks, expressed a steadfast commitment to his faith aligned with Athanasius, choosing exile over compromising his beliefs. Although the exact timeline remains uncertain, Abraham eventually returned to Egypt, possibly influenced by Theodora.

 

Setting up a new monastery in Farshut alongside two monks from the Moses monastery, Abraham expanded the community to accommodate a growing number of monks. He also established a convent of nuns concurrently. Late in his life, Abraham received a vision predicting his imminent death, featuring appearances by Pachomius, Petronius, and Shenouda the Archimandrite.

 

It's noteworthy that some scholars have proposed the potential identity of Saint Abraham of Farshut with another figure, Abraham of Scetes, commemorated on January 4 in the same calendar. The life of Saint Abraham of Farshut, marked by resilience, devotion, and visionary experiences, remains a cherished part of Coptic Church history.