Abanoub was born in the city of Nehisa (Coptic: ⲛⲁⲏⲥⲓ), modern Kafr al-Abhar[2] in the district of Talkha.

At age twelve, Abanoub entered the church to hear the priest asking the congregation to remain faithful during the persecutions provoked by Diocletian, the Roman emperor.

[3] Abanoub received the Holy Sacraments, then he prayed to God to guide him to where he could confess his faith in Jesus.

[4] He returned to his house, and straight away he rose up, and gave all the gold, silver, and apparel his father had left him to the poor and needy, then went to Samanoud, walking along the river bank.

Abanoub also insulted Lucianus's idols such that the governor ruler became furious and gave orders that the child be whipped.

The soldiers beat Abanoub severely, but the Archangel Michael miraculously healed him.

[5] The angel of the Lord came down from heaven, released Abanoub, and wiped up the blood that was running down from his nose and mouth.