07 works, Today, December 10th, is Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes and Eugraphus' day, his story, illustrated #343

Unknown iconographer
The Holy Martyrs Mina, Hermogenes and Evgraf

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In hagiography he is called Menas of Egypt. He was a military officer, an educated man and skilled in speech, wherefore he was surnamed Kallikelados ("most eloquent"); Eugraphus was his scribe. Both had Christian parents.

Theophanes of Crete and Simeon

Holy Martyr Mina, c. 1546

Fresco

Athos, Stavronikita Monastery, St. Nicholas.

Theophanes the Greek (c. 1340 – c. 1410) was a Byzantine Greek artist and one of the greatest icon painters of Muscovite Russia, and was noted as the teacher and mentor of the great Andrei Rublev.

Theophanes was born in Constantinople. After studying art and philosophy at the University of Constantinople, he moved to Novgorod in 1370, and in 1395 to Moscow. His style is considered unsurpassed in expression achieved by almost mono-colored painting. Some of his contemporaries observed that he appeared to be "painting with a broom", in reference to the bold, broad execution in some of his finest frescos, which are unique in the larger Byzantine tradition. Theophanes was described by the Muscovites as "learned in philosophy", a reflection on his broad education and erudition. The balance of mathematical harmony in line and shape, wed to a master's use of an earthtone palette and precious gold leaf, evokes a spirituality that is immensely powerful, and speaks to the genius of this relatively unknown painter. More on Theophanes the Greek 

Once there was an outbreak of civil unrest in Alexandria, brought about by various political factions, and by the increasing success of Christian missionaries in turning the Alexandrian people from the idols. 

The Emperor sent Menas to reconcile the parties and settle the dispute. On his arrival, Menas quickly resolved the political troubles and restored peace to the city; but instead of putting down Christianity as the Emperor had desired, he did everything in his power to protect the Christians and encourage the spread of the Gospel. 

Unknown iconographer

Saint Menas, 7th - 8th century AD

Tempera

H. 67 cm; W. 79 cm

From Hermitage of the Kellia

Ancient Egypt at the Louvre

The figure, identified by his Greek name, "Agios Menas," is depicted kneeling in prayer. The mural was painted in distemper on the wall of a cell at the monastery of Kellia. St. Menas-the martyr for whom the basilica of Abu Mina, a major pilgrimage site in the early years of Christianity, was built-is always depicted with two camels, in reference to traditional accounts of the miraculous choice of his place of burial. The animals are missing here, due to deterioration. More on this work

When word of this came to the Emperor, he sent another trusted courtier, Hermogenes, to re-establish Imperial authority and to execute Menas if he would not renounce Christ. Hermogenes followed these orders scrupulously: he subjected the godly Menas to various horrid tortures in the public arena. But Menas was miraculously preserved through them all, and when he finally appeared in the arena, flanked by two shining Angels, Hermogenes repented and confessed Christ. He in turn became such a fervent advocate for the Gospel that he was soon made a Bishop. 

Finally the Emperor decided that the only solution was to come to Alexandria himself. There he had both Menas and Hermogenes cruelly tortured to death in secret, lest they perform any public miracles; but when the Emperor presented himself before the people at the arena the following day, the two Saints, miraculously preserved, appeared there also, causing the people to cry out "Christ is the only true God!" 

Unknown iconographer
 The emperor hacked Saint Eugraphus with his own hand

Fresco

Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi, Mount Athos, Greece

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Unknown iconographer
 The emperor hacked Saint Eugraphus with his own hand

Copy of; Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi, Mount Athos, Greece

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Beholding the fortitude of these soldiers of Christ and the miracles God wrought upon them, Eugraphus, Menas's secretary, went into the judgement-hall and shouted to the Emperor's face: 'I too am a Christian!' 

Cretan iconographer Tzortzis Phouka

Holy Martyrs Mina, Hermogenes and Evgraf, c. 1547

Fresco

Athos, monastery, Dionysios

I could not find any biography on Cretan iconographer Tzortzis Phouka

The Emperor flew into a rage, took a sword and beheaded Eugraphus himself, and then he commanded the executioner to behead Menas and Hermogenes.. All three were beheaded. Their precious relics were later taken to Constantinople, where they worked many miracles. 

Emmanuel Lambardos

The Miracles of Saint Mena

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Emmanuel Lambardos came from a family of painters, who settled in Candia, Crete in the late 16th century and established themselves as one of the most eminent workshops in the city during the late 16th and early 17th century. 

The iconographic type of the seated prophet Elijah in a cave appears for the first time in Byzantine miniature painting in the 12th century and was adopted later in icons. Emmanuel Lambardos here faithfully reproduces the Palaiologan model, which the painter Angelos used in the early 15th century for his monumental icon of Elijah in the St Elijah church on Naxos. The main difference in composition compared with the Lambardos icon, is that the raven is flying towards the prophet instead of sitting on a rock as is the case in the present icon. It is highly probable that Lambardos either based the iconography of this icon on a working drawing by Angelos or used the large Elijah icon by Angelos on Naxos directly as his model. More on Emmanuel Lambardos

In the center is depicted Saint Minas, an Egyptian middle-aged soldier. He wears a military uniform with a purple cloak, holds a spear in his right hand and with his left shield and cross. To the left and right there are three icons with the miracles and the martyrdom of the saint, according to the story of the Constable. More on Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes and Eugraphus

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