Ginbot 17 — May 25

Saint Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus

Today we remember a great and holy man named Saint Epiphanius (say it: eh-pih-FAH-nee-us). When he was a boy, his family was very poor, but they loved God and tried hard to do what was right.

One day young Epiphanius was taking his little donkey to sell it. On the road he met a kind man named Philotheus, who loved Jesus. While they talked, the donkey kicked Epiphanius and he fell down, hurting badly. But Philotheus made the sign of the Cross and prayed in the name of Jesus. Right away the pain went away, and Epiphanius stood up perfectly well. He had never heard of Jesus before, so he asked, "Who is this Jesus?" That question stayed in his heart.

Later, Epiphanius met a holy monk named Lucianus, a man who spent his quiet days in prayer. When a poor man asked for help, the monk gave away his own warm cloak. Right then Epiphanius saw bright white clothes come down from heaven onto the monk. He knew this was God's love, and he asked to learn about Jesus. He was baptized, which means he was washed with holy water and welcomed into God's family, and he became a Christian.

Epiphanius gave the money he owned to people who were poor, and he became a monk too. God filled him with grace, and he helped many sick people get well and prayed for those who were troubled, for God is always stronger than anything that frightens us. He was so wise and good that the people of Cyprus chose him to be their bishop, the leader who takes care of many churches. He wrote many helpful books, and whenever he met someone with a hard heart, he gently taught them to be kind.

When Epiphanius grew old, he knew it was time to go home to God. He prayed, hugged the friends who had followed him, lay down, and died in peace, ready to be with the Lord he had searched for and loved.

Who was this Jesus, in Whose Name you did this kind miracle?— Epiphanius, as a boy

Whenever he met a person with no mercy, he taught him gently, again and again, until that person became kind too.