E07450: The late 4th to 6th century collection of Miracles of *Menas (soldier martyr of Egypt, S00073), ascribed to Timothy of Alexandria, recounts the story of a pagan who vowed to dedicate a horse both to Menas and his pagan god, but the animal was born with three legs. Written in Greek in Alexandria.

Timothy of Alexandria, Miracles of Menas (CPG 2527, BHG 1256-1269)

Miracle 10. The rich pagan man (BHG 1266)

Summary:

A pagan called Prinos lives near the lake, within the district of Alexandria. In his village, there is a great temple with a statue, to which he offers sacrifices and gifts. He has an excellent mare which was barren. Hearing some Christians talking about the miracles of Menas, he vows that, if his mare gives birth, he will consecrate three legs of the colt to the martyr, and one to his god. The horse indeed gives birth to a colt which is born with three legs. The saint appears to the man in a dream and challenges him to ask his statue to give a fourth leg to the colt. Prinos becomes a Christian, alongside his entire household, and offers half of his fortune to the saint’s shrine.

Text: Pomialovskii 1900.
Summary: E. Rizos.