Verena

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Saint Verena

Born	Egypt
Died	Switzerland
Feast	September 1 Thout 4
Attributes	comb; water jar
Patronage	poor; sick; lepers; young girls, nurses

For other uses, see Verena von Strenge.

Saint Verena of the Theban Legion died on the 4th day of Thout (September 14). She was brought up in the Theban region (modern day Luxor in Upper Egypt) in a noble Christian family, who handed her over to Bishop Sherimon, Bishop of Bani Suwayf, who in turn taught her and baptized her. Saint Verena joined the Theban Legion in its mission to Rhaetia (modern day Switzerland) and was a relative of Saint Victor of the Theban Legion. The Soldiers' relatives were allowed to accompany them in order to look after them and take care of their wounds. When Saint Maurice, Saint Victor and the other members of the Theban Legion were martyred, Saint Verena led a lonely and hermit life. First, she settled in a place called Solothurn, but later moved into a cave near present day Zurich. She used to fast and pray continuously. Moreover, God performed several miracles through her. She was particularly concerned over young girls and used to look after them spiritually and physically, due to her expertise as a nurse. As a result of her fame, the ruler arrested her and sent her to jail, where Saint Maurice appeared to her to console and strengthen her. After her release from jail, she moved into several regions, and God made several miracles through her prayers. Due to her, many converted to Christianity. Saint Verena was interested in serving the poor and used to offer them food. Moreover, she enjoyed serving the sick, especially those suffering from leprosy. She used to wash their wounds and put ointments on them, not fearing infection. At the time of departure of Saint Verena from our world, the Most Holy Virgin Mary appeared to her to console and strengthen her.

The Mercy of Saint Verena, Stuttgart (?), 1524

In 1986, a delegation from Saint Verena’s Church in Switzerland, brought to Egypt a part of Saint Verena’s relics. The first Coptic church consecrated on the name of Saint Verena is Saint Maurice and Saint Verena’s Church in Cairo, which was consecrated by HH Pope Shenouda III on February 22, 1994. In October of 2004, a delegation from Saint Verena's (Saint Mary & Saint Verena's) Coptic Church in Anaheim, California in the United States of America, along with His Grace Bishop Serapion of Los Angeles and Fr. Joseph Boules, traveled to Switzerland to bring a part of Saint Verena's relics to Anaheim. Her church in Anaheim now has a museum dedicated to her relics and artifacts.