Ginbot 11 — May 19

Saint Theocleia, the Brave Lady

Theocleia was a kind lady who loved Jesus very much. She was married to Saint Justus, and they had a happy family. A ruler told her to stop following Jesus, but she would not. He even promised her gold and fine things if she would only say no to Jesus. But Theocleia loved God more than any treasure in the world.

She said she was happy to belong to Jesus, and nothing the ruler could give her was better than that. Wicked men hurt her and put her in prison. But that night something wonderful happened: an angel of the Lord came and made all her hurts better! When the other people in the prison saw this, many of them began to love Jesus too.

Theocleia stayed faithful to the very end, giving her life rather than turning away from God, and she went home to be with Him forever. Kind friends carefully cared for her and laid her to rest, and we still remember her brave love today.

I have left my kingdom and I will not return to it, for I am comforted by the love of my Lord Jesus Christ.— Saint Theocleia

Pafnotyos the Quiet Bishop

Pafnotyos (say it PAF-no-tee-os) became a monk when he was young, giving his days to quiet prayer out in the desert. He lived in a monastery, a peaceful home where people pray together, and he ate only simple food like dried plants. He did this for thirty-five years!

He learned the Bible and the rules of the Church so well that he was made a priest, and later a bishop, a leader who watches over many churches. Even then he stayed humble and wore plain clothes, just like before.

Once Pafnotyos grew tired and weak from praying so hard. He asked God why. An angel gently told him that long ago in the desert, God Himself had taken care of him when no one else could. Now that he lived among people, kind friends could help him rest. Wasn't that a loving answer?

Pafnotyos was a bishop for thirty-two years, and he was always honest. He never kept even one coin of the church's money for himself. When it was time to go home to God, he blessed everyone and asked God to keep them strong. Then he fell asleep in peace.

Abba Asher, the Teacher

Abba Asher was a teacher who loved God. He was traveling to the holy city of Jerusalem, the city where Jesus walked long ago. There, near the city gates, some people hurt him because he followed Jesus, and he went home to God as a martyr.

Even though he faced hard things, Abba Asher was not afraid. He knew that Jesus was waiting for him in heaven, and that nothing could keep him away from God's love.

Yared, the Singer Who Learned from Birds

Yared (say it YA-red) is one of Ethiopia's most beloved saints. He grew up near the great church in Aksum, the very first church ever built in Ethiopia. When Yared was a boy, learning his lessons was very, very hard for him. He felt like giving up.

So Yared ran off and sat under a tree to rest. There he saw a tiny caterpillar trying to climb the tree. It climbed up, then slipped and fell. Up it climbed again, and fell again. But the little caterpillar never quit, and at last it reached the top! Yared watched and thought, 'If a little caterpillar can keep trying, so can I.' He went back to his teacher and tried again with all his heart. This time, God helped him learn so quickly that he understood the whole Bible!

In those days, people only said their prayers softly, without singing. God wanted beautiful music for His house, so He sent three lovely birds from a garden in heaven. The birds spoke to Yared and showed him the songs the angels sing in heaven. When Yared came home, he walked into the great church and sang out loud, 'Hallelujah to the Father, Hallelujah to the Son, Hallelujah to the Holy Spirit!' His voice was so beautiful that the king, the queen, and all the people came running to listen.

Yared wrote songs for every season, summer and winter, spring and autumn, and for every special day of the year. The Ethiopian Church still sings his songs today! He spent his last years quietly praying and praising God, and he is remembered as the singer whose voice was like the angels.

Hallelujah to the Father, Hallelujah to the Son, Hallelujah to the Holy Spirit.— Saint Yared's first song

Arsema, Who Loved God Quietly

Arsema was a holy woman who lived with other women who prayed together. She did something very humble: she pretended to be silly and foolish, so that nobody would praise her. While everyone slept, she would quietly pray and pray to God all by herself.

Some of the women did not understand her and were unkind to her. But God saw her loving, secret prayers, and He told a holy man named Abba Daniel all about how good she truly was. When the women found out, they were sorry and began to treat her with great kindness. Arsema did not want anyone to make a fuss over her, so she slipped away to live quietly with God. She showed us that God sees the good we do, even when no one else can.

Saint Euphemia and Her Joyful Rescues

Euphemia (say it you-FEE-mee-ah) was a girl who loved Jesus with all her heart. Her mother loved God too. A cruel ruler wanted everyone to bow down to stone statues instead of God, but Euphemia would not. She said she would worship only her Lord Jesus Christ.

Then God rescued her again and again. Wicked men tried to harm her, but an angel of the Lord came from heaven and kept her safe. They lit a great fire, but Euphemia stood inside it praying, and she walked right out without a single burn. They put her near fierce wild animals, but the lions only kissed her feet. Every time, God protected her, because He loved her so.

At last a voice came from heaven and said, 'Come up, Euphemia, into the holy place.' And so this brave girl went home to be with God forever. Her mother and father lovingly laid her to rest. We remember Euphemia and her faithful friends, who stayed close to Jesus no matter what.

Come up, O Euphemia, and come into the holy place.— a voice from heaven

Saint Sophia and Her Daughter Euphemia

We remember Saint Sophia too, the mother of Saint Isidore, along with her daughter, who was also named Euphemia. This mother and daughter stayed faithful to Jesus together, even when it was hard. They loved God side by side, a brave little family.

Abba Bakimos, Abladen, and Julius

The Church remembers three more friends of God today: Abba Bakimos, Abladen (also called Ablanius), and Julius. We do not know many stories about them, but we know they loved God and served Him. We thank God for all His saints, even the ones whose stories we have not heard, and we ask them to pray for us.