Ginbot 28 — June 05

Saint Kerlos and His Forty-Five Sons

Today we remember a faithful man named Kerlos (you can say it KEER-loss). His other name is Cyril. He had a big, loving family who all loved God with their whole hearts.

Some people did not want them to keep believing in Jesus, and they were cruel to Kerlos and his family. But Kerlos and his children were brave and would not stop loving God. In the end they gave their lives rather than turn away from Him. That makes them martyrs.

They were not afraid, because they knew they were going home to God, where there is no more sadness and no more tears. We can ask these brave saints to pray for us, so that we can be brave too.

Salutation to Kerlos.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

We also remember three special fathers from long, long ago: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (You can say them AY-bra-ham, EYE-zik, and JAY-kub.) You can find them right in the Bible.

Abraham was Isaac's father, and Isaac was Jacob's father. They trusted God and followed Him, even when they did not know where He was leading them. God made a beautiful promise to them and kept it.

These three fathers teach us to trust God too. When we do not know what will happen next, we can still hold God's hand and follow Him, just like they did.

Salutation to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Abba Macarius, and a Journey Home to God

Abba Macarius (say it ma-KAY-ree-us) lived in a monastery, a quiet home where people pray together. The leader of that monastery was named Abba Anthony.

One day a kind monk named Mercorios grew very tired and sleepy, and his friends thought he was about to go home to God. They sat beside him and prayed. After three days he opened his eyes and smiled at them.

Mercorios told them about a shining helper from God who had visited him. Then he gave the monks a message. They were to go and find a holy man named Abba George, who lived all alone in a little cave in the desert, praying to God day and night.

When the monks went to find George, they saw that he had finished his work on earth and gone home to God. Before he died, George had told Abba Anthony, "On a certain day, come to me." He had also said that three gentle oxen would carry his body back to the monastery, and that is exactly what happened. God took care of every little detail. At George's resting place God brought healing and answered prayers, and everyone praised Him.

Saint Amette Christos, the Desert Mother

Saint Amette Christos (say it ah-MET-eh KRIS-tos) was a brave woman who loved God more than anything in the whole world.

A holy man named Abba Daniel was once walking in the desert at night. By the bright light of the moon, he saw someone sitting quietly on a hill. It was Amette Christos! For many, many years she had lived all alone in the desert, talking to God and resting in Him.

She told Abba Daniel about a wonder God had done for her. When she first came to the desert, she brought just one basket of beans and one little jar of water. She prayed and asked God to make them last. And He did. For thirty-eight whole years that small basket and jar never ran empty. God fed her every single day, the way He feeds the birds and the flowers.

The hot summer sun never burned her, and the cold winter never chilled her, because God kept her safe and warm. When her work on earth was finished, she went home to God in peace. People who heard her story praised God, who is strong enough to rule the whole world and kind enough to care for one quiet woman alone in the desert.

This is the home God has prepared for me.— Amette Christos

Abba Epiphanius Comes Home to Cyprus

Abba Epiphanius (say it eh-pi-FAY-nee-us) was a holy church leader. While he was traveling on a ship across the sea, he grew weak and went home to God. A wise teacher named Saint John, called "Mouth of Gold," had told him this would happen.

The ship carried him gently to the island of Cyprus. When the people there heard he was coming, they came down to meet him carrying the Bible, crosses, candles, and sweet-smelling incense. They sang songs of praise to God.

Then something gentle happened. Even after several days, his body stayed peaceful and fresh, as if the good saint were only sleeping. The people knew this was a sign that God was pleased with him.

At last they laid him to rest in the church, wrapping him in fine cloths. And after that, just as when he was alive, God kept healing the sick and helping the troubled through this gentle saint.

Abba Senta and Agabos

Two more faithful friends of God are remembered today: Abba Senta (say it SEN-tah) and Agabos (say it AG-a-bos).

They loved God and stayed true to Him all the way to the end of their lives, never giving up even when it was hard. They too became martyrs.

We thank God for brave saints like them. They remind us that loving God is the best and most important thing of all. We can ask them to pray for us, so we will love God with all our hearts too.