Ginbot 14 — May 22

Abba Pachomius, Who Started the First Monastery Family

When Pachomius (say it PA-ko-mee-us) was a young man, he wanted to give his whole life to God. So he went to live with a holy old man named Abba Balamon, and he learned to pray and to work hard and to listen. He did this happily for many years.

One day an angel of the Lord came to him with a special idea from God. The angel told him to gather other people who loved God and help them live together, all praying and sharing as one big family, just like Jesus' first helpers did long ago. A home where people live together this way, to pray and serve God, is called a monastery.

Many, many people came to live with Pachomius! He built lots of monasteries for them. He gave everyone the same kind of work, the same food, and a list of gentle rules so each day would be peaceful. He chose a kind leader for every monastery, and he visited them all up and down the land of Egypt to make sure his friends were doing well.

Pachomius never wanted to show off or be praised. He did not want his monks to become important just to look good, because that could make people jealous. A church father named Abba Athanasius wanted to make Pachomius a priest, but Pachomius quietly slipped away. Praise for himself was the one thing he ran from.

For forty years Pachomius led his big family of monks and kept them strong. When it was time, he chose his student Theodore to lead them next, and then he died in peace, going home to God.

Blessed art thou, who hast built thy house upon a rock that will not move, and hast run away from empty praise.— Abba Athanasius, about Pachomius

Symmachus, the Brave Young Weaver

Symmachus (say it SIM-ma-kus) lived in a city called Farma. He was a weaver, which means he made beautiful cloth with his hands. He had two good friends named Theodore and Kikos.

In those days some leaders did not want people to follow Jesus, and they were unkind to Christians. But Symmachus was not afraid. He told his friends to keep loving God most of all, even more than nice things in this world.

Symmachus was very young, only about sixteen years old, but his faith was big and strong. He stood up bravely and told everyone that he loved our Lord Jesus Christ. Because he would not stop loving Jesus, wicked men hurt him, and he died for his faith. A person who stays true to God even when it costs them their life is called a martyr. Symmachus was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God.

Then God showed how much He loved Symmachus. A girl who could not see touched something of his and could suddenly see again. A soldier who could not hear or speak was made well, so he could hear and talk for the very first time. When people saw what God had done, many of them began to love Jesus too.

Kind people carried Symmachus to a city called Barmun, where the leader paid for a beautiful burial. They built a lovely church there to remember the brave young saint forever.

Love God most of all — even more than the nice things of this world.