Hamle 12 — July 19

Saint Michael the Archangel, God's Mighty Helper

Today is a joyful feast day for Saint Michael the Archangel, one of the greatest and most important of all God's angels. Every month the Church remembers Saint Michael, because God loves to send him to help His people.

Long, long ago, a proud king named Sennacherib brought a huge army to the city of Jerusalem. He wanted to scare the people. He sent messengers who said unkind words about God, and asked, "Who can save you from me?" That was a foolish thing to say, because nothing is stronger than God.

The good king of Jerusalem was named Hezekiah. He was sad and worried. But instead of giving up, he did the wisest thing of all. He went into God's house and prayed, asking God to keep his people and his city safe.

God heard Hezekiah's prayer and answered it right away. He sent Saint Michael the Archangel to the king's army. In a single night the whole danger was gone, and Jerusalem and all its people were safe and free. Everyone thanked God for rescuing them.

Because God rescued His people through Saint Michael, the teachers of the Church told everyone to celebrate this happy feast. We can ask Saint Michael to pray for us too. Salutation to Michael the Archangel!

When King Hezekiah was afraid, he did not run away — he went into God's house and prayed, and God sent His angel to help.

Salutation to Michael the Archangel.

Saint Abba Hor, Brave for Jesus

Today we also remember Saint Abba Hor (say it: HOR). He came from a town called Seryas and had a sister whose father worked with metals. In his heart, Abba Hor decided he would always be faithful to Jesus, no matter what.

So he went to a town called Sarma and told everyone, in front of the ruler there, that he loved and believed in our Lord Jesus Christ. The ruler was not kind to him. But God worked through Abba Hor's hands, healing and helping in ways only God can do. When the ruler and his wife and their children saw these wonders, they came to believe in Jesus too, and they became God's faithful friends.

Abba Hor was sent far away to a city called Antinoe, and there he was treated very harshly because he would not stop loving Jesus. He was not afraid, because he knew Jesus was holding him close and that heaven was waiting for him. In the end, Abba Hor gave his life rather than turn away from God, and so we call him a martyr. He received a shining crown in the kingdom of heaven.

Many other brave people loved Jesus alongside Abba Hor: one hundred and twenty-seven men and twenty women. They are all home with God now, happy forever. Salutation to Abba Hor and his faithful company!

He was not afraid, because he knew Jesus was holding him close and that heaven was waiting for him.