Hidar 5 — November 14

Saint Longinus and the Light That Healed

Saint Longinus was a soldier who was there on the day Jesus was on the Cross. After he saw all that happened, he came to believe that Jesus is truly the Son of God. He stopped being a soldier for the world and became a brave teacher for God.

Longinus traveled to a faraway land called Cappadocia (say it: kap-a-DOH-sha) and told everyone the good news about Jesus. Many people believed because of him. But some did not want him to keep teaching, and they took his life. He stayed faithful to God right to the end, and so we call him a martyr. He was not afraid, because he was going home to God.

One woman who had believed because of Longinus loved him very much. Sadly, her eyes stopped working and she could no longer see. She and her son traveled to the holy city of Jerusalem to pray, hoping God would help her. But her trip became very sad, and she cried and cried.

Then God sent her a dream. In her sleep she saw Saint Longinus, and he gently told her where to find something he had left behind. When she woke up, kind people led her to that place. As she came near, a sweet smell filled the air, and a bright light shone all around her. Right then her eyes opened. She could see again! She praised God with all her heart and went home full of joy.

A great light was revealed to her, and right away her eyes were opened, and she saw clearly, and she praised God.

Timothy the Martyr

We also remember a faithful man named Timothy. He loved God so much that he stayed true to Jesus even when it was hard, even when it cost him his life. He was a martyr, just like Longinus.

We send Timothy a happy salutation, a kind hello and a thank-you. We thank God for Timothy's brave and loving heart, and we ask him to pray for us.

Saint Theodore and the Obedient Sea

Saint Theodore was a captain who led many soldiers, and he loved God dearly. After he went home to heaven, his friends carefully carried his body to a special church built just for him. Carrying a saint's body to a new resting place is called a translation. It is a way of honoring someone holy.

In that church, God worked through Saint Theodore to heal the sick and help the troubled. People came from far away, and saw such things there that they could not help but praise God.

There is a beautiful story that long ago, when great floodwaters wanted to cover the land, Saint Theodore spoke to the sea, and the waters listened and pulled back. It reminds us that God, who made the whole world, is gentle and strong, and He takes care of His people.

When God wished to hold back the flood, you commanded the sea, and its waters withdrew.— Salutation to Saint Theodore

Abba Yohanni the Traveler

We also remember a holy man named Abba Yohanni (say it: yo-HAH-nee). "Abba" is a loving word that means "father," and we use it for holy men who teach us about God.

Abba Yohanni was a faithful friend to others who journeyed far to serve God and to help people who needed healing. He spent his life doing good and following God wherever he was led.

We say a glad salutation to Abba Yohanni and thank God for his kind and faithful heart.