Hamle 10 — July 17

Saint Theodore, the Brave Bishop

Saint Theodore was a bishop, a church leader who takes care of God's people in many churches. He lived in a place called Pentapolis, which means "Five Cities."

In those days a powerful ruler did not love God. He prayed to idols, which are statues people bow to instead of praying to the real God, and he told everyone they had to bow to them too.

When it was Theodore's turn, a governor asked him to worship the idols. But Theodore loved God with his whole heart, and he answered bravely. He said it would not be right to leave the God who made the sky and the earth, and bow to statues instead.

The governor said, "Are not Artemis and Apollo gods?" Theodore gently told the truth: those statues were not gods at all. Only the Lord Jesus Christ is the Maker of everything.

Wicked people were unkind to Theodore for a long time because he would not change his mind. Through it all, he was not afraid, because he knew God was right beside him. In the end he gave his life rather than turn away from God, which is what we mean when we call someone a martyr. Theodore went home to live with God in heaven forever.

It is not right for us to leave God, the Maker of the heavens and the earth, and worship statues.— Saint Theodore

Theodore of Corinth and Two Friends Who Believed

There was also another Saint Theodore, the bishop of a city called Corinth. He loved Jesus and said so out loud, even when two governors tried to make him stop.

Then something happened that helped people believe. A pure white dove came and flew softly around the saint, and a beautiful peacock flew up and rested on the window. The two governors, named Lucianus and Dagnanius, stared in wonder.

Their hearts began to change. First Lucianus said that the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ is the true faith. Then Dagnanius believed too. The two men who had once been against the saint now loved Jesus with all their hearts.

They sailed away to a place called Cyprus, and there they bravely told everyone that Jesus is Lord. Three faithful women had walked with the saint and stayed close to God as well. All of these friends gave their lives for God and became martyrs, and He welcomed every one of them into heaven. Think of it: God turned His enemies into friends who loved Him.

The faith of our Lord Jesus Christ is the true faith.— Saint Lucianus

Abba Helyan, the Quiet Helper of God

Abba Helyan grew up to be a goldsmith, someone who makes pretty things out of gold and silver. He was so good at it that everyone praised his work.

But one day Helyan started thinking about God and about heaven. He decided he wanted to spend his whole life loving God. So he gave his money to people who were poor, made sure his mother had what she needed, packed a little food, and walked out into the quiet desert to pray.

God saw how good and kind Helyan's heart was, and He took special care of him. Once, in a dream, three shining men in white came to him holding a cross that glowed like the sun. They gave him a walking stick shaped like a cross and sparkling with jewels. When the nights were dark, that cross-stick gave him light so he could see the way. God was always watching over him.

An evil spirit tried to trick Helyan and lead him away from God. But Helyan simply made the sign of the Cross, and the evil spirit ran away, because God is always stronger than anything bad. Helyan also kept showing kindness. When some thirsty travelers could not find water, he carried water to them and helped them drink.

When it was time for Helyan to go home to God, the three shining friends came back to him. He had lived a long, peaceful life full of prayer, and God welcomed him into heaven.

When the nights were dark, the cross-shaped staff gave him light, and God brought near to him whatever was far away.

More Friends of God We Remember Today

Today we honor a holy man called Mar Matra and a kind bishop named Andrew, who watched over a church in a place called Kefala.

This is also the day a brand-new church was once set apart for God in Egypt, named after a saint called Sergius. To set apart a church is to bless it and make it a holy place where people come to pray. It is always a joyful thing when a new church opens its doors for everyone to worship God together.

Abba Esi and His Faithful Friends

Last of all today, we remember a brave man named Abba Esi, along with a big group of friends: many men and four soldiers who all loved God.

They stayed faithful to Jesus together, all the way to the end, and gave their lives for Him as martyrs. Even when things were hard, they did not stop loving God, and they helped each other be brave. Now they are all together with God in heaven, happy forever. It is a good gift to have friends who help us stay close to God.