Hamle 6 — July 13

Ezra, the Helper Who Wrote God's Words

Today we remember a wise man named Ezra (say it: EZ-ra). People called him "the scribe." A scribe is someone who carefully writes things down so they will not be forgotten. Ezra loved God and loved to talk with Him.

Ezra praised God for making the whole world. He said God made the earth, and from the dust God formed the very first man, Adam. Ezra also remembered God's faithful friends from long ago: Noah, Abraham, David, and Solomon.

One day God gave Ezra a special job. God's holy books had been lost, and Ezra wanted to write them again so people could read about God. So Ezra went to a quiet place to pray and listen. A voice called to him, "Ezra, Ezra, Ezra, open your mouth." Then God gave him a cup to drink, and right away his heart filled up with wisdom, like a cup filling with water.

Ezra took five helpers who could write fast. For forty days, Ezra spoke and they wrote, and many, many books were finished. God told Ezra to give the books to wise teachers who could share them with everyone, like a lamp sharing its light. Because of Ezra, God's words were saved for us to read even today.

Ezra, Ezra, Ezra, open your mouth.— the voice that called to Ezra

Saturnina, Who Started Fresh

Saturnina (say it: sat-ur-NEE-na) lived in the city of Jerusalem. When she was young, she made many wrong choices. But one day she felt very sorry, and she turned her whole heart to God. She cried and asked God to forgive her, and God did, because God always loves us back when we come to Him.

After that, Saturnina lived a brand-new life. She prayed and worked hard for God, and she became an abbess. (An abbess is the kind leader of a home where women pray together.) She loved God so much that she ate only a little, to keep her mind on Him.

Her friends worried she was too thin. "Please eat a few lentils to help your body," they said gently. (Lentils are tiny beans, like little buttons, that you cook in soup.) Saturnina smiled and thanked them, but she wanted to keep her quiet, simple way of loving God. After a faithful life, she died in peace, safe with the God who had forgiven her.

Olympius, the Faithful Friend of Saint Peter

Olympius (say it: oh-LIM-pee-us) was also called Paul. He was one of Jesus' helpers, part of a group of seventy-two who went out to teach people the good news about Jesus.

Olympius was a true friend to Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles who walked closest to Jesus. Olympius carried Peter's letters, stayed beside him, and traveled with him all the way to the big city of Rome. There Olympius taught many people, and they came to love Jesus.

When Saint Peter died for loving Jesus, Olympius lovingly cared for his body and laid him to rest. The ruler of Rome, named Nero, asked Olympius if he followed Jesus. Olympius was not afraid. He said yes, Jesus is truly God, and he would always love Him.

Wicked men hurt Olympius because he would not stop believing. He gave his life rather than stop loving Jesus, and so we call him a martyr. Olympius was brave to the very end, because he knew he was going home to God, to be with Jesus and his friend Peter forever.

I want to live and die for the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ.— Saint Olympius

Bartholomew of Darasa and Many Faithful Friends

Today we also remember a whole group of God's people. There was Bartholomew of Darasa (say it: dah-RAH-sa), and with him a large company of brave believers, and seventy little children who loved God too.

We also remember a kind church father named Claudian (say it: CLAW-dee-an). He was an archbishop, a leader who takes care of many churches, and the ninth leader after Saint Mark, who first brought the good news of Jesus to Egypt.

All of these friends, big and small, young and old, loved God with their whole hearts. Even the children are remembered as God's special friends. God knows every single name and keeps each one close to Him.

Theodosia and Her Son's Wonderful Healing

Theodosia (say it: thee-oh-DOH-see-a) was a faithful woman and the mother of a young man named Abrokoronadeyos (we can call him Abro for short). Abro loved Jesus very much.

Some people told the ruler that Abro was a Christian, and the ruler treated Abro very badly, so badly that Abro became very, very sick. But that night Jesus came to him. Our Lord touched Abro and made him completely well and strong again, with not one scratch on him.

When Theodosia and the others saw Abro standing healthy and smiling, they could hardly believe their eyes. Two important officers and twelve women were so moved that they all shouted with joy, "We believe in the God of this saint!" In one happy moment, they all became God's friends.

These brave new believers stayed faithful to God to the very end, and they went home to be with Him in heaven. Theodosia, her son, and all their friends teach us that God is real, God is loving, and God is always stronger than any trouble.

We believe in the God of this saint!— the officers and women who saw the miracle