Mina joined the army and quickly achieved a fairly good status for himself, although he was very young, because his father and his uncle were among the rulers. On February 23, in the year 303 AD, Diocletian had issued a decree that all soldiers had to worship idols. At this time Mina was 19 years old, and faced with a very difficult decision. Should he deny Christ and offer sacrifices to idols? As an officer in the army he may be have to torment his brothers the Christians. The Holy Spirit guided Mina, to distribute his wealth among the poor and to quit the army. He headed to the desert, leading a life of solitude for five years , praying, fasting and reading the Holy bible.

After this great spiritual struggle, Mina heard this promise from God, "Blessed are you Mina" for you have been called for piety since your childhood. Therefore, you shall be granted three crowns that shall not fade away according to the name of the Holy Trinity you have strived for:

* One for the sake of your celibacy,
* One for the sake of your ascetic life,
* One for the sake of your martyrdom.

Your name shall be renowned among martyrs, because I will make people from every tribe and tongue come and worship me in your church which shall be built after your name. The glory that you shall attain in my kingdom shall be thousands of times more than I grant you on earth.

After St. Mina heard this promise, he longed for martyrdom. So he came out of seclusion. He went to the city and stood in the middle of a pagan feast and shouted that he was christian. The soldiers took St. Mina to their commander. St. Mina was asked several times to deny his faith but, he refused. He faced many tortures such as flogging, scrapping his skin, tearing his body by iron pins, and placing flaming torches below his ribs. His faith was not shaken, St. Mina endured much suffering and yet our Beloved God and Savior healed his wounds.

Having failed to change or persuade St. Mina to deny his faith, the commander decided to send Mina to a different commander. Mina was imprisoned with other believers like himself. He preached to them and encouraged them to be strong. Jesus Christ appeared to Mina and told him of what he would be encountering, and the glory that awaits him. Jesus anointed St. Mina's body with oil.

Again, Mina was beaten with the whip. The commander ordered St. Mina's body to be sawm, but the saw melted as if it was wax near fire. Finally, the ruler ordered that St. Mina's head be cut from the body, and his remains to be burned by fire. Accordingly, his head was cut and the body was thrown into the fire which burned for several days, but the body of our beloved St. Mina was protected by the power of God.

May the blessing of the great St. Mina reign over all of us.

Amen