Hidar 2 — November 11

Abba Sanitius, the Patient Teacher

Today we remember a good church father named Abba Sanitius. He was an archbishop in the great city of Alexandria, which means he watched over many churches and cared for all the people in them.

Abba Sanitius loved to teach. Day after day, he would gather God's people, tell them about Jesus, and help them learn to live in a kind and holy way. He kept this up for fifteen whole years. That is a long, long time to teach with such patience and love.

When his work was finished, Abba Sanitius died in peace. To die in peace means he was calm and unafraid, because he trusted God and knew he was going home to heaven. We thank God for shepherds like him who teach us so faithfully.

Abba Peter and the Letters of True Faith

We also remember another holy father named Abba Peter, who became an archbishop of Alexandria too. God chose him to be a shepherd of His people, and Abba Peter took up this big job with a brave and faithful heart.

Far away in another great city, a church leader named Akakios (you can say it like ah-KAH-kee-os) wrote Abba Peter a kind letter. In it he said he believed the very same things about God. We should never split apart who Jesus is, he wrote, because Jesus is fully God and fully born among us as one. This made Abba Peter so glad. He wrote a warm letter back and sent it with three wise bishops to carry his good news.

When the bishops arrived, they were welcomed gladly, and everyone read the letters aloud and rejoiced together. It was a happy time, because friends who love God found they believed the same true faith.

Then a hard time came. Some people did not like Abba Peter's teaching, and they made him leave his special chair, far from his people. But Abba Peter did not stop teaching! While he was away, he wrote letters to help his people stay strong and brave in their faith. And after a few days, he was able to come home again. He kept teaching for ten years, and then he died in peace, safe with God.

It is not right to separate His Divine Nature from His Incarnation.— from Akakios' letter on the true faith

When he was far away in exile, he taught his people to be strong by his letters; and when he was near, he taught them by his words.

Setenna the Prophetess

Today we also remember a holy woman named Setenna, who lived in Alexandria. She was a prophetess, which means she listened closely to God and shared His words with other people.

Setenna loved God and stayed close to Him. We thank God for women of faith like her, and we ask her to pray for us.

Saint Anastasia

We also honor Saint Anastasia today. (You can say her name an-uh-STAH-zhuh.) She was a brave woman who loved Jesus very much and stayed faithful to Him all her life.

Her name means something beautiful. It points to rising up to new life with Jesus. We remember her with joy, and we thank God for her faithful heart.

Abba Libanos

Last, we remember Abba Libanos, a holy monk who gave his whole life to quiet prayer, with each day belonging to God.

Abba Libanos spent his life praying and serving God, and helping others learn to love Him too. We thank God for his quiet, faithful life, and we ask this kind father to pray for us all.