Hamle 23 — July 30

Saint Marina, the Girl Who Loved Jesus

Long ago there was a girl named Marina who lived in a city called Antioch. When she was very little her mother died, so a kind woman cared for her. This woman was a Christian, and she taught Marina all about the love of Jesus.

As Marina grew up, she heard stories about the martyrs, the brave people who stayed true to God even when it was very hard. Her heart filled with love for Jesus, and she wanted to be brave for Him too.

A mean ruler tried to make Marina stop loving God. But Marina would not stop. "I belong to Jesus Christ," she said proudly. The ruler hurt her because she would not give up her faith. So Marina prayed, and God sent the Archangel Michael, a mighty angel, to make her well again.

Once Marina was put in a dark prison. While she prayed, the Archangel Michael came and filled the prison with bright light. He even lifted her up to see the beautiful home of heaven, then brought her safely back. God was taking care of her the whole time.

An evil spirit tried to frighten Marina, but she made the sign of the Cross and prayed, and it had to run away. God is always stronger than anything evil. Then a pure white dove appeared on the holy Cross and spoke kindly to her.

In the end, Marina went home to be with God forever. Jesus made her a promise: He would bless everyone who remembers her story and asks her to pray for them. After that, many sick people were healed, and many, many people came to love Jesus because of brave Marina.

I belong to Jesus Christ, and my name is Marina.— Saint Marina

Rejoice, O Marina, for the grace of the Holy Spirit is given to you.— the voice from the Cross

Saint Longinus, the Soldier Who Believed

Longinus was a soldier who came from a faraway land called Cappadocia. He was one of the soldiers who stood near the Cross when Jesus died for us. That day, Longinus saw things he could never forget.

The sky went dark in the middle of the day. The ground shook, and the great curtain in the Temple tore in two. Longinus watched it all and wondered, "Who is this? He must be very special."

Then Jesus rose from the dead, just as He said He would. Longinus wanted to understand, so he asked God to help him. God sent the Apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest helpers. Peter explained everything: that Jesus is truly the Son of the living God.

Now Longinus believed with all his heart. He stopped being a soldier for the king on earth and went home to Cappadocia to tell everyone the good news about Jesus, just like the apostles did. He was brave and faithful all his life, and he, too, became a martyr and went home to God in heaven.

Saint Abtlemanos of Shoka

We also remember a faithful saint named Abtlemanos (which is also said as Ptolemy), who came from a place called Shoka. He loved God dearly and stayed true to Jesus, and he became a martyr too.

Even though we know only a little about him, we can thank God for his brave and faithful heart, and we can ask him to pray for us.