Ginbot 15 — May 23

Simon the Zealot, the Apostle Who Was Also Called Nathaniel

Today we remember Saint Simon the Zealot, who was also called Nathaniel (say it: nuh-THAN-yel). He was one of Jesus' twelve apostles, the friends closest to Him. Simon came from a town called Cana, and he loved to read the Bible. He cared so much about doing what was right that people called him "the Zealot," a name for someone bursting with love for God.

One day his friend Philip ran to him and said, "We have found Jesus, the One the prophets told us about!" Simon was careful, and he wanted to be sure. So he went to meet Jesus himself. As soon as Jesus saw him, He said, "Here is a true man, with no lies in his heart." Simon was surprised and asked, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered that He had seen Simon resting under a fig tree long before, when no one else was watching. Then Simon knew that Jesus could see things no one else could see, and he believed.

Simon followed Jesus from that day. When the Holy Spirit came, Simon could suddenly speak many languages, so he could carry the good news about God to faraway lands. He traveled far and wide. He prayed for sick people and they got well, and his gentle teaching softened hard hearts until people who had been unkind grew as gentle as sheep. Some who did not believe hurt Simon, but he was never afraid, because he knew he would go home to God. He kept his faith to the very end and is happy forever in heaven now.

Here is a true man, with no lies in his heart.— what Jesus said about Nathaniel

Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.— John 1:48

The Brave Friends of God in Denderah

We also remember a big group of brave Christians who lived in a city called Denderah, in the land of Egypt. Long ago there was a ruler named Diocletian (say it: dy-oh-KLEE-shun) who did not want people to follow Jesus. He was very unkind to these Christians and tried to make them stop loving God.

But they would not stop. They stayed faithful and brave, and they kept loving God right to the end of their lives. They are called martyrs, the people who stay close to God even when it costs them everything. We thank God for friends like these, who showed us how strong love for God can be. They are safe and happy with Him now.

Minas the Deacon and His Holy Friends

On this day the Church also remembers some gentle helpers of God. There was Minas, a deacon, who served the people and helped the priest in church. He lived all alone in a quiet place just to pray. With him we remember Abba Hor, Baklawaya, and a kind husband and wife named Katinos and his wife, who all loved God dearly.

We also say a special hello to a group of brave soldiers in the city of Bandara, who stayed faithful to God. These were ordinary people, helpers and husbands and wives and soldiers, who chose to keep God first in everything. Their names are written down and remembered with love, so we can thank God for them today.

A Greeting to Newaya Krestos

Last of all today, we send a happy greeting to a saint named Newaya Krestos (say it: neh-WAH-ya KRES-tos). His name means "the treasure of Christ," because he belonged to Jesus and was precious to Him.

We do not know a long story about him, but we know he was a friend of God whom the Church loves to remember. On this day we ask all of God's saints to pray for us: Simon, the brave friends in Denderah, the gentle helpers, and Newaya Krestos. May we learn to love God as bravely and as gladly as they did.