One text reports Gebre Menfes Kidus lived 562 years, 300 of them in Egypt, while another attributes him a life of 362 years. He was born in Nehisa, Egypt to noble parents, named Simon and Eklesia. Eklesia, according to legend, came from the tribe of Benjamin of ancient Israel. Eklesia and Simon are said to have been barren for 30 years. The day of Gebre's conception and the date of his birth are said to coincide with those of Jesus Christ.