Ginbot 19 — May 27

Abba Isaac, the Humble Priest

Long ago there lived a kind man named Abba Isaac. He grew up in a tiny village near the big city of Cairo. His mother and father had very little money, but they were rich in another way, because they were always doing good and loving God.

One day some holy monks came to the city to sell things they had made with their own hands. Monks are people who give their days to quiet prayer. When the monks went back home to the desert, young Isaac followed them. He wanted to help them and learn to love God the way they did.

Isaac lived very simply. He owned almost nothing, not even a second set of clothes. When people asked him why, he smiled and said he had never needed much, even when he was a boy. He worked hard, prayed, and helped everyone around him.

When Isaac grew old, the other monks wanted to make him a priest, because he was so good and wise. But Isaac was shy and felt he was not important enough, so he hid in a field. The monks looked and looked but could not find him. Then their little donkey wandered right over to Isaac's hiding spot, and that is how they found him. Isaac laughed and said this must be what God wanted. So he became a priest and taught the young monks to be kind, patient, and obedient. When his life was over, he died in peace and went home to God.

Above everything, hold on to gentleness and obedience, for these are the greatest of the good things we can do.— Abba Isaac

Saint Isidore, the Brave Boy

Isidore was a boy from the city of Antioch. His father, Bandala'on, was an important soldier, and his mother, Sofia, was a loving woman. The whole family loved Jesus very much.

In those days a cruel king did not want anyone to follow Jesus. Isidore and his family would not stop loving God, no matter what. They were very brave and said they would always belong to Jesus.

The king tried again and again to make Isidore afraid, but Isidore stayed strong and faithful. Every time it seemed Isidore was in danger, God protected him and made him well again. Once, when Isidore was thrown into the sea, Saint Michael, the great angel who serves close to God, lifted him safely out of the water. God showed everyone that He is stronger than any unkind king.

While Isidore waited in prison, God gave him a gift: he prayed for sick people and they got better. At last, after many years of being brave, Isidore went home to God and received a beautiful crown in heaven. His mother Sofia and his sister Euphemia were brave for Jesus too. We remember all three of them today, because they loved God more than anything.

We will never stop belonging to our Lord Jesus Christ.— Saint Isidore

The Great Company of Martyrs

On this same day we remember a huge number of other people, many thousands of them, who loved Jesus just like Isidore did. They stayed faithful to God even when it was very hard, so we call them martyrs.

They were all brave together, holding hands in their hearts and trusting God. We say a happy hello to this big, brave family of God's friends, who are now safe and joyful with Him in heaven.

Abba Joseph, the Light of the World

Abba Joseph was very clever. When he was young, he learned so quickly that everyone who met him could hardly believe it. His father took him to the bishop, who is a leader of the church, and Joseph began to serve in God's house.

One day God sent the angel Michael to talk to Joseph. The angel gently asked him whether the shiny things of this world were really so important. After that, Joseph wanted only to love and serve God. A kind monk named Abba Zacharias helped Joseph become a monk, and they went to live quietly in the desert, praying and working with their hands.

God did great things through Joseph. The wild animals, even lions and leopards, were gentle and friendly with him, because he was so full of God's love. When he was hungry, he would bless a few stones and they turned into bread. When he came to a river, he could walk right across the top of the water. Once he planted some dry, broken twigs, and they grew into tall trees that are still alive today.

Joseph traveled all the way to Jerusalem to visit the holy places, and good people came from everywhere to live and pray with him. One day a leopard carried off a little child, but when the mother called out in Joseph's name, the leopard brought the child safely back. Another time Joseph made the sign of the Cross over a woman who had died, and she woke up as if from a nap. After a long life full of prayer and good works, Abba Joseph died in peace and was carried home to God.

When he blessed a few stones, God turned them into bread, and when he came to a river he walked across the top of the water.

Our Great Father Abuna Egzi'e

Last of all we honor our great father Abuna Egzi'e. He was a holy man who loved God and served God's people. We thank God for him and ask him to pray for us.