Hidar 3 — November 12

Saint Cyriacus, Friend of God's Word

Today we remember a kind and holy man named Cyriacus (say it: SEER-ee-ah-kus). He was born in a city called Corinth, far across the sea. His mother and father loved God, and they taught him all about Jesus when he was small.

When Cyriacus was still a boy, his family brought him to a bishop, the church father who watches over many churches. The bishop gave him a special job. He made him a reader, the one who reads the Bible out loud to everyone in church. Cyriacus loved it. Every single day he read the Holy Scriptures, and he always wanted to know what the words really meant. He grew so wise that even grown-ups learned from him.

When Cyriacus was eighteen, his parents asked if he would like to get married. But Cyriacus had a different dream in his heart. He wanted to live with the monks, who give their days to quiet prayer together. So he traveled all the way to the holy city of Jerusalem.

A wise old teacher named Abba Cyril met him and was very happy. He told Cyriacus that one day he would become a great father who helped many, many people find God.

Cyriacus became a monk. He prayed, he worked hard, and he stayed gentle and humble. God gave him a special gift. When sick people came to him, he prayed for them and they got well again. People near and far heard about the kind man whose prayers made the sick healthy.

Cyriacus also taught people the truth about God, speaking with words full of the Holy Spirit. He lived a long, good life, and when he was very old he fell asleep in peace and went home to God. People say that even hundreds of years later his body looked as if he were only resting, a quiet sign of how close he was to God.

You have done a good work, and you have loved it.— Abba Cyril, to young Cyriacus

He read the Holy Scriptures every day, and always asked what the words truly meant.