Ginbot 3 — May 11

Saint Jason, the Apostle God Kept Safe

Today we remember Saint Jason. He was one of the seventy-two disciples whom Jesus chose, one of those who learned from Jesus and followed wherever He went. Jason was born in a city called Tarsus, and he was the very first person from that city to believe in Jesus.

On the special day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, the Helper God sent, came down on Jason and the other apostles. After that, Jason became a preacher who went from town to town sharing the good news about God. He traveled with Saint Paul to many places, teaching everyone about Jesus.

Saint Paul made Jason a bishop, a church leader who watches over God's people. Jason took good care of the church and taught the people to be strong in their faith. Then he sailed far away to teach more people, even on an island, where he built a church.

Some leaders did not want Jason to keep teaching about Jesus, and they were unkind to him. But God watched over him. They tried to hurt him, yet no harm came to him at all! A king's daughter saw how brave Jason was, and she gave her pretty clothes to people who were poor and chose to follow Jesus too.

Later, more people tried to harm Jason, but each time God kept him safe. One leader could hardly believe his eyes when he saw Jason standing unhurt, and right then he put his trust in Jesus. So did everyone in his house and his whole city! Jason baptized them all and built churches for them. He lived to a happy old age, and his face shone with joy because he had pleased God.

They tried to harm Jason, but God kept him safe, and no harm came to him at all.

Abba Besoy, Who Was Never Afraid

We also remember a holy man named Abba Besoy. He came from a place called Balget. Some men treated him cruelly because he loved God, and he stayed faithful right to the end, giving his very life rather than turn away. That is what makes him a martyr.

But Abba Besoy was not alone. An angel of the Lord came to him, holding a beautiful crown. The angel told him not to be afraid. God was with him the whole time, and Abba Besoy finished his life faithful and brave, ready to go home to God in heaven.

Fear not! Here is your crown.— the angel to Abba Besoy

Saint Eusebius and Saint Sem

Two more of God's faithful friends belong to this day. One is Saint Eusebius, a priest who served God and led His people in prayer, guiding them closer to Him.

The other is Saint Sem, who is also called Shem. He stayed true to God with all his heart. We thank God for these brave saints, and we ask them to pray for us, so that we can love God just as bravely as they did.