Hamle 24 — July 31

Saint Abba Nob, the Brave Boy Who Loved God

Abba Nob (say it: NOHB) lived long ago in a town in Egypt. His mother and father loved God, and they taught their little boy to love God too. By the time Nob was twelve years old, he loved going to church. He loved to listen to Bible stories and to learn about Jesus.

In those days a ruler named Diocletian was being unkind to Christians. But Nob was not afraid. He had a big, brave heart. First he did something very kind: he gave all the gold and silver his father had left him to people who were poor and hungry. He remembered that money does not last forever, but God lasts forever.

Then Nob went and told the leaders, in a clear and brave voice, that he loved Jesus. God's angel came to stand beside him and gave him courage. Even when bad men tried to hurt him, God kept taking care of him. Once an angel came down from heaven to help him. Another time God kept him safe and well, and even snakes that were set near him would not come close to hurt him.

When Nob saw all this, many soldiers decided to love Jesus too. In the end, Nob stayed faithful to God to the very last, and he died as a martyr, keeping his love for God even when it cost him his life. Jesus Himself came to comfort Nob and promised that God would help and bless people who pray and remember him. Nob was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to live with God forever.

Keep yourselves away from idols, and it is good to give yourselves to God, who loves you.— Abba Nob, telling people to trust God

Abba Takla 'Adonaya and His Friends

We also remember Abba Takla 'Adonaya, who lived at Debre Libanos, a quiet place where people live together to pray and serve God.

Abba Takla 'Adonaya had a friend named Tewolde Medhin, and they had many other friends too. All of them loved God very much. They stayed faithful and true to Jesus all the way to the end, and they became martyrs together. We thank God for friends who help each other be brave and good.

The Big Company of Abba Nob's Friends

Abba Nob was not the only brave one. On this day we also remember a huge crowd of people, many, many thousands of them, who were his companions and friends.

Just like Nob, they all loved God and stayed faithful to Him. That is a very big number of brave hearts! It reminds us that we are never alone when we love God. There are so many friends of Jesus, more than we could ever count, who are with Him now in heaven.

Abba Simon, the Gentle Archbishop

Abba Simon was a kind church father. He became the archbishop of the great city of Alexandria, a leader who watches over many churches. When he was young he became a monk, and he learned to read and to write, and he learned the holy books by heart. He lived simply, eating only plain bread and herbs, and he spent his days praying and reading the Bible.

God answered Abba Simon's prayers in a way no one could forget. Simon had a helper named Minas, who took care of the church's money. Minas became very sick and died. Abba Simon was so sad that he stayed awake all night, praying and asking God to bring Minas back. And God heard him! Minas opened his eyes, sat up, and was alive and well again. He told everyone that God had given him life because of the prayers of the good father Simon. Everybody's sadness turned into joy, and they praised God.

Abba Simon was also famous for being gentle and forgiving. Once, some people who were jealous tried to harm him, but God protected him and he was not hurt. When the ruler wanted to punish those people harshly, Abba Simon bowed down and begged for them to be shown mercy. The ruler was amazed at how kind and forgiving Abba Simon was, and he came to love and honor him very much. The ruler even helped him build many new churches.

After a long life of praying, teaching, and loving God's people, Abba Simon died in peace.

I am strong through the prayer of my father the archbishop, for God has given me life again.— Minas, after God raised him up