Hamle 19 — July 26

The Brave Christians of Esna

In a city called Esna, there lived many people who loved God very much. A harsh ruler named Arianus did not want them to follow Jesus, and he tried to make them stop. But they would not stop loving God.

A kind shepherd of the church named Ammonius helped his people be brave. He gently reminded them that God was with them and that heaven was waiting. When the people were asked who they were, they all answered together with happy, brave voices.

Many of these faithful friends kept loving God even when it cost them their lives. We call such people martyrs. They were not afraid, because they knew they were going home to God. The Bible says that angels came and welcomed their souls into heaven and gave them shining crowns of light.

Their good shepherd Ammonius stayed faithful to the very end too. Later, when the hard days were over, the people who loved him built a beautiful church in his name, so he would always be remembered. We thank God for all the brave Christians of Esna.

Be strong and keep going, so that you may enter into the kingdom of heaven.— Ammonius, encouraging his people

Little Cyriacus and His Mother Julitta

Cyriacus (say it: KEER-ya-kus) was only three years old, but he loved God with all his little heart. His mother, Julitta (say it: yoo-LEE-ta), loved God too. To stay safe, they had traveled far away from their home in Rome.

A ruler asked them to bow down to pretend gods made of stone. But Julitta would not. She trusted that even her tiny boy knew the truth. And he did! God gave little Cyriacus the words to say, and he bravely told everyone that he believed only in Jesus. The grown-ups were amazed that such a small child could be so brave.

God took special care of Cyriacus and his mother and kept them safe and well. Many people watching saw how God helped them, and they began to love Jesus too. God even let little Cyriacus pray for sick people, and they got better!

When Julitta felt afraid, her brave little son prayed for her, and God filled her heart with courage and peace. In the end, both mother and son stayed faithful to God and went home to heaven together, where God gave them crowns of joy. What a loving family!

O my son, blessed be the hour I gave birth to you.— Julitta, thanking God for her brave little boy

Batlan, the Doctor Who Healed in Jesus' Name

Batlan was a very clever young man who became a famous doctor. His mother believed in God, and a kind priest who lived nearby prayed and prayed that Batlan would come to love Jesus too.

The priest became Batlan's friend. He told him how good and mighty God is, and how God gives strength to those who believe in Him. Batlan listened carefully, and his heart began to change.

One day Batlan saw a man lying on the ground who had been bitten by a snake. Batlan prayed and asked Jesus to show His power. Right away the man stood up, happy and well, and the danger was gone! Batlan was so glad that he was baptized and became a Christian.

After that, God healed many people through Batlan's prayers. Once, a man who could not see came to him. Batlan gently laid his hand on the man's eyes and said, "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, see again." And the man could see! When Batlan's own father watched this, he believed in Jesus too.

Batlan became a doctor who helped people for free, and he asked only that they love Jesus. He stayed faithful to God his whole life and became a martyr, going home to God with a crown of joy. God even sent lions who would not hurt him, but gently licked his feet, because God was taking care of His friend.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, see again.— Batlan, praying for the blind man

More Friends of God We Remember Today

Today we also remember Isaac, a good and righteous man who loved God and lived the right way.

We remember three more holy friends of God: Abba Batrabo, Macarius of Falga Halib, and Moses of Shoki. They each spent their lives praying and following God.

And we remember Abel, the son of the great Ethiopian saint Takla Haymanot. We thank God for all of these dear friends who showed us how to love Him.