Hamle 9 — July 16

Saint Simon Cleopas, the Brave Teacher

Saint Simon Cleopas (say it: SY-mon CLEE-oh-pas) was a kind leader of the church in the city of Jerusalem. He became its bishop after James, who was a close relative of our Lord Jesus. A bishop is like a shepherd, watching over many churches and helping everyone learn about God.

Simon loved to tell people the good news about Jesus, and crowds came to listen and chose to follow Jesus too. God gave Simon a special gift: when he prayed, sick people got better. Everyone could see that God was working through him.

Simon lived a very, very long time, one hundred and twenty years. That is older than your great-great-grandparents! He spent all those years loving God and teaching about Jesus.

A king named Eudrias did not want Simon to keep teaching, and he hurt Simon for staying faithful. Simon was brave and never stopped loving God. He gave his life rather than turn away from Him, and we call that being a martyr. A faithful young woman named Theona was brave for God on the same day. We remember them both as friends of God who are now happy with Him in heaven.

Simon was not afraid, because he knew that staying faithful to God leads us home to Him.

Abba Claudianus, the Gentle Archbishop

Abba Claudianus (say it: claw-dee-AH-nus) was a gentle church father in the great city of Alexandria, the ninth archbishop there. An archbishop is a chief shepherd, leading many churches at once.

People said he sat upon "the throne of Mark the evangelist." That was a special way of saying he held the same important job Saint Mark once had. Mark wrote one of the four Gospels in the Bible, the books that tell the life of Jesus.

For fourteen whole years, Abba Claudianus cared for God's people the way a good shepherd cares for the sheep. He guided them, taught them, and kept them safe. When his work on earth was finished, he died in peace, resting in God's love.

Abba Besneda and the Angels

Abba Besneda (say it: bes-NEH-da) was a good and holy man who always tried to do what was right, and he loved to pray. He would stand beside a deep well of water, talking to God all day long.

Then something happened that no one expected. God sent His angels to visit him. They would gently lift him up in a shining chariot, high into the air, about as high as a small tree. Can you imagine being carried by angels while you pray? It was God's way of showing how much He loved this faithful friend.

Abba Besneda spent his life close to God, and the angels stayed close to him. When his life on earth was finished, he died in peace, and surely those same angels welcomed him home to heaven with songs of joy.

The angels lifted Abba Besneda up while he prayed, because God loves to be near those who love Him.