Hamle 27 — August 03

Saint Abba Ammon, Who Was Very Brave

Today we remember a brave saint named Abba Ammon (say it AH-mon). He lived in a town called Tarnut, in the land of Egypt, a very long time ago.

In those days, some rulers did not want people to love Jesus, and they were unkind to those who did. But Abba Ammon was not afraid. He went straight to a ruler named Arianus and said out loud that he loved our Lord Jesus Christ. That took a lot of courage!

The ruler tried to make Ammon stop loving Jesus, and he hurt him. But our Lord Jesus made Ammon strong again and healed him completely, so that he was well and not hurt at all. God was taking care of him the whole time.

Then Jesus Himself appeared to Ammon to comfort him. Jesus made a beautiful promise: that anyone who remembers Ammon's brave story, or shares it, or gives bread and water to people who are hungry on this day, would have their name written in the Book of Life in heaven. Then Jesus went up into heaven in glory, and Ammon was filled with great joy.

Abba Ammon stayed faithful to God all the way to the end, and he became a martyr, keeping his love for God even when it cost him his life. He was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God. After that, many sick people were healed near him, and everyone thanked God.

Whosoever shall give bread and water to the poor on the day of thy commemoration, I will write their names in the Book of Life in the kingdom of heaven.— the promise of our Lord Jesus

Theophila, the Girl Who Was Saved from the Fire

Because Abba Ammon was so brave, many other people also became brave and chose to love Jesus too. One of them was a young girl named Theophila (say it Thee-OFF-il-a).

Theophila stood up in front of the ruler, all by herself, and told him she loved our Lord Jesus Christ. The ruler was angry and had her put into a fire, but God protected her, and the fire did not hurt her at all. God had rescued her.

Theophila stayed faithful to God, and she became a martyr too. She is now happy forever in heaven with God. Her story reminds us that even children can be brave and that God is always near.

The Wonderful Vision of Ezekiel the Prophet

Today we also remember a special vision that Ezekiel the prophet saw long ago. (A prophet is someone God speaks through, and a vision is like a holy picture God shows.)

God showed Ezekiel amazing things to help His people trust Him. We thank God for prophets like Ezekiel, who helped everyone remember that God loves us and is always with us.

The Church of Saint John the Evangelist

On this day, people remember the happy day a beautiful church was opened for Saint John the Evangelist in the big city of Alexandria. (Saint John was one of Jesus' closest helpers, and 'evangelist' means he shared the good news of Jesus.)

Opening a new church is a joyful thing. It is a place where people gather to sing, to pray, and to thank God together.

Abba Simon, the Kind Church Father

We also remember a gentle church father named Abba Simon, who was an archbishop in the city of Alexandria. (An archbishop is a leader who takes care of many churches.)

On this day, his body was carried with love and honor to the monastery of Abba Macarius, out in the quiet desert of Scete. (A monastery is a peaceful home where people pray together.) People honored Abba Simon because he had served God so faithfully.

Salutation to the translation of thy body, O Simon.

Seth, the Son of Adam

Today we also remember Seth, who was a son of Adam and Eve, the very first people God made. Seth lived a long, long time ago, near the beginning of the whole world.

Seth loved God and helped his family remember to worship Him. He reminds us that loving God is something people have done from the very first days, and that we can keep doing it today too.