(CE:1312a-1312b)
ISNA, the Arabic name of a city in Upper Egypt that was known in Greek as Latopolis and in Coptic as cne or cn/ (Sne). The city is situated on the west bank of the Nile some 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Luxor in the province of Qina.
Isna has a long and rich Christian tradition. Even before the Council of NICAEA, in 325, Latopolis was a bishopric under Ammonius, who had been ordained by Patriarch PETER I (300-311). Bishop Masis succeeded Ammonius in 347.
The SYNAXARION commemorates a number of martyrs from Latopolis, including Bishop Ammonius, on 14 Kiyahk and 19 Tubah. Both the Sahidic and the Bohairic Lives of Saint PACHOMIUS give Sne as the birthplace of the famous father of monks. The same texts relate that Theodorus, the successor of Pachomius, was born of aristocratic parents from Sne/Latopolis.
RANDALL STEWART
