Hidar 6 — November 15

Saint Felix, the Good Shepherd of Rome

Today we remember a holy church father named Felix. He lived in the great city of Rome. His mother and father loved God, and when Felix was a boy they taught him all about Jesus and the Church.

Felix grew up wise and kind. The leaders of the Church saw how good and fair he was, so first they made him a deacon, one who helps in the church, and later a priest. When it was time to choose a new archbishop to watch over many churches, God's will was clear, and the people chose Felix. He took loving care of God's people, like a good shepherd watching over his sheep.

Felix lived in a hard time. A ruler did not like people who followed Jesus, and he tried to make them give up their faith. This made Felix very sad, so he prayed and prayed to God for his people. God heard him and kept his people safe. Felix asked God for one more thing: that he might not have to watch his friends suffer. God answered that prayer too, and Felix went peacefully home to heaven. He had led the Church for five and a half years.

Felix also wrote many helpful books to teach Christians how to live and what to believe. People read them for a long time because they were so good and true.

He took good care of the people God gave him, like a kind shepherd watching over the sheep.

The Holy Mountain of Kueskuam

On this day something very special happened on a mountain called Kueskuam (you can say it like KWES-kwam). Our Lord Jesus came together there with His disciples, the close friends who followed and helped Him.

On that mountain, Jesus blessed a special tent and church as a holy place for prayer. It was the very first time this happened on Mount Kueskuam. Two wise teachers of the Church, Saint Theophilus and Saint Cyril, told everyone the story so we would always remember it.

Mount Kueskuam is a beautiful, peaceful place to think about Jesus and His mother Mary, who once found a safe home with her little Child. When we hear about this mountain, we can remember that God gives us safe and holy places to come close to Him and to pray.

Salutation to those who have taken refuge at thy feet, O Mount Kueskuam, namely to Mary and her Child Christ.— from the Synaxarium

The Brave Friends of Saint Isidore

We also remember a big group of God's faithful friends. Their leader was a holy man named Isidore. With him were Afros, Justus, Cornelius, and many, many more, thousands of them.

These were brave men and women who loved Jesus with all their hearts. Even when it was hard, even when others were unkind to them, they would not stop loving God. They stayed faithful to the very end. That is why we call them martyrs.

They are not sad now. They are happy and safe with God in heaven, all together. When we remember them, we can ask God to help us be brave and faithful too, even on hard days. God is always with His friends, and He never lets them go.