Hamle 11 — July 18

Saint John and Saint Simon, the Helping Friends

Long ago in a town called Sarmalas, a mother and father wished very much for a baby. They prayed to God, and the father promised that if God gave him a son, the boy would serve God all his life. One night John the Baptist came to the father in a dream and said God would give him a son. When the baby was born, they named him John.

When John was a young boy, he tended his family's sheep. Every day he gave his lunch to the shepherds and to travelers on the road, and he himself waited until evening to eat. One day his father came to see if this was true. He looked where John kept his food, and he found the place full of warm, fresh bread! God had been taking care of John. From then on his parents knew that God's grace was upon their son.

John grew up loving the Bible and learning many of its books by heart. He became a priest. His cousin Simon left the sheep to follow him and help him, and Simon wrote down all the things John did that only God could do. When sick people came, John would pray over some olive oil, gently anoint them, and God made them well.

One day a king named Marianus had a very sick daughter, and no doctor could help her. God carried John on a soft cloud all the way to the king's city. John prayed for the girl, and God made her completely well and happy again. The king wanted to give John gold, but John only wanted to serve God. Later, when a wicked ruler told people to stop following Jesus, John and Simon bravely said they loved Jesus. They stayed faithful to the very end, gave their lives for God as martyrs, and went home to Him in peace. Even today, God does kind wonders where they rest.

He found the place full of warm, fresh bread, for God was taking care of his son.

Abba Isaiah, the Quiet Friend of the Desert

We also remember a holy man named Abba Isaiah. He lived in a quiet desert place called Scete, where people went to be alone with God. We call him an anchorite, which means someone who lives by himself to pray. Abba Isaiah spent his days talking to God and learning to love Him with his whole heart. We say a happy hello to Abba Isaiah and thank God for him.

Abba Gabriel, the Patient Archbishop

Abba Gabriel was born to good parents who taught him to love God. When holy monks visited, one wise old monk had a dream in which he saw many bishops blessing the little boy. The old monk said, "This boy will grow up to lead many people." A bishop cares for churches, and an archbishop leads many bishops.

When Gabriel was twelve, he wanted to give his whole life to God, so he became a monk, living quietly with prayer at the center of every day. He kept his heart gentle, and many people loved him because he was so humble. He lived in faraway monasteries, helped fix up an old church, and copied out the holy books by hand so others could read them.

For a long time, people kept choosing other men to be archbishop instead of Gabriel, even though God had shown he would lead one day. But Gabriel was never angry or sad. He simply went back to the desert and kept praying. He waited and trusted God patiently, year after year.

At last God's time came. A letter arrived asking Gabriel to become the Archbishop of the great city of Alexandria, and all the people cheered with joy! Gabriel cared for God's people, prayed for them when hard days came, and God listened. When Gabriel grew old and sick, God Himself comforted him with a shining face and said, "Do not be afraid. Rejoice, for you will live forever with Me." After three days, Abba Gabriel went home to God in peace. We say a happy hello to Abba Gabriel the Archbishop.

Do not be afraid. Rejoice, for you will live forever with Me.— what God said to Abba Gabriel