Built in the 3rd century, the monastery commemorates an Alexandrine soldier, Menas, who was an officer in Diocletian's army. Menas refused to kill any Christian after his army won. He declared his Christianity publicly, which was a tremendous motive for other Christians to bear the suffering and abuse from Diocletian's army. The monastery is located south of Alexandria, in the midway between Wadi el-Natrun and Alexandria. Legend has it that Menas' remains were brought back from Phrygia by camel and was buried were the animal refused to walk any more. A water well in the desert came up from that spot. These water wells made the area full of vines and olive trees. It was an oasis called Saint Menas Vineyards. Today, only ruins and the desert are the witness of once a beautiful oasis.

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