Saint Fana (also known as Abu Fana, Abu Fanah, or Apa Bane) (c. 354-395) was an Egyptian Christian hermit. A monastery in the diocese of Mallawi, Upper Egypt, is named after him.
Saint Fana was born to a Christian family in Memphis. He became an anchorite due to the inspiration of the Western Desert hermits he visited as a young man.[1]
Ancient sources such as the History of the Egyptian Monks (Historia Monachorum in Aegypto)[2] the story of a visit of seven monks to Egypt in 394-395 AD, Sayings of the Fathers (Apophtegnmata Patrum),[3] and Sozomen's Church Hisotory (Historia Ecclesiastica) make reference to a hermit called Benus or Banus who can be identified as Saint Fana, and who lived in the area where the monastery of Saint Fana was later built.
The History of the Egyptian Monks states:
"We saw another old man who was gentle above all others. His name was Benus and the brothers with him asserted that no oath or lie had ever come from his mouth, that no one had ever seen him losing his temper with anyone, or indulging in unnecessary, idle conversation. He lived his life in a profound silence, his manner was always peaceful, in all things he seemed to be angelic. His humility was very deep, counting himself as nothing in every way. We ourselves urgently pressed him to favour us with some encouraging conversation, but his modesty prevented him from giving us more than just a few words."[4]
Fana also became noted for his knowledge of the Psalms and would ultimately be linked to miracles.[5]
He is noted for his ascetic life and concern for the poor. He also reportedly predicted the date of Theodosius I's death.[6] The monastery dedicated to him is one of the oldest in Egypt.[7]