Hidar 7 — November 16

Saint George the Great, of Alexandria

Long ago in the city of Alexandria, a father had no children. He prayed and asked Saint George, the famous brave saint, to ask God to give him a little boy. God said yes! So when his son was born, he named him George too.

When George grew up, his mother and father died, and he went to live with his uncle. George loved going to church more than anything. One day his cousin heard the monks singing beautiful hymns. These were holy men who give their days to quiet prayer. She asked George what the songs meant, and he told her all about Jesus, and about how God gives peace and joy to everyone who loves Him.

His cousin loved Jesus so much that she told everyone she was a Christian. Some people were unkind to George because he had taught her about God. But George was never afraid, because he knew he was going home to be with God forever. He stayed faithful no matter what, and so he is called a martyr. A kind helper named Samuel carefully carried George's body to a safe and honored resting place.

Today we say hello and thank you to brave Saint George!

George told her about the peace and joy that come to everyone who loves God.

Abba Nahrew, Carried on Michael's Wings

Abba Nahrew lived in a place called the Fayyum in Egypt, and he loved God very, very much. He heard stories about people who were brave for God, and he wanted to be brave for God too.

In a dream, God told Nahrew that he needed to travel all the way to a faraway city called Antioch. Nahrew wondered, "How can I ever get there? It is so far!" He did not have a way to go.

Then God did something Nahrew never expected. He sent the great angel Michael, who lifted Nahrew up and carried him on his wings, high over land and sea, all the way to Antioch. Can you imagine flying with an angel?

In Antioch, Nahrew told everyone that he believed in the living God. A powerful ruler offered him money and fancy clothes if he would stop loving Jesus, but Nahrew said no. He loved God more than anything in the whole world. He stayed faithful to the end and gave his life rather than turn away. A kind man named Julian made sure Nahrew was taken home with great honor.

We say thank you to the holy man who flew on the wings of the angel Michael!

God sent the angel Michael, who carried Nahrew on his wings over land and sea, all the way to Antioch.

Abba Minas, the Gentle Bishop of Tamai

Abba Minas was the only child of a mother and father who loved God dearly. They prayed a lot and were very kind. When Minas grew up, he wanted to give his whole life to God, so he went to live at a monastery, a quiet home where holy men pray together.

Minas prayed and worked hard, and he learned from wise old teachers named Abba Abraham and Abba Ga'argi. He loved God so much that everyone could see how gentle and good he was.

Then God chose Minas to become a bishop, the leader who takes care of many churches. He was made the bishop of a city called Tamai. God gave him two gifts. When sick people came to him and he prayed, they got all better. And God helped him understand what people needed even before they said a word.

Bishops and families came from far away to ask Minas for his good advice. He taught them to keep loving God and to follow the kind words of the Bible. When Minas grew old, God let him know it was almost time to come home. He gathered his people, hugged them with his words, and asked them to stay close to Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Then he went peacefully to be with God.

We say thank you to gentle Minas, the bishop of Tamai!

When sick people came to Minas and he prayed for them, God made them well right away.

The Happy Church of Saint George of Lydda

We also remember the day a beautiful church was opened in honor of Saint George in the city of Lydda. God did so much good in that church, healing and helping, that people all over the land and across the sea heard about it and rejoiced.

A proud ruler did not like the church and sent a man to try to spoil it. But God watched over His church and kept it safe. Soon the people who had tried to harm God's church could do nothing at all, and a kind and good king named Constantine became the ruler instead.

King Constantine did something joyful: he opened all the churches so everyone could pray and worship God freely again! The whole world was glad, the churches were glad, and the lovely church of Saint George, who is called the bright morning star, was happiest of all.

We say thank you for Saint George and his joyful church!

Good King Constantine opened all the churches, and the whole world rejoiced.

Zenobius and His Mother Zenobia

Zenobius and his mother Zenobia lived in a city called Tabais, and they loved Jesus together. When a ruler asked them who they worshipped, they answered bravely, "We believe in Christ!" They would not stop loving God, not even when it was hard.

Then God showed how much He loved them. When they prayed, the things that held them came undone all by themselves. People saw them wearing shining clothes that glowed like light. A soft cloud floated down from heaven and gave them food, like a gift straight from God.

When they were put near a hot fire, they prayed, and the fire went out and grew cool and gentle. So many people saw these wonders that they cried out together, "The God of the Christians is great!" Even the ruler himself came to believe in God and became a Christian.

Zenobius and Zenobia stayed faithful to God all the way home to heaven, and they are called martyrs. Many other brave friends of God were faithful right beside them too.

We say thank you to Zenobia and her son Zenobius, and to all the brave friends who loved God with them!

When the people saw God's wonders, they cried out together, "The God of the Christians is great!"

Saint Mercurius and His Brother John

Mercurius and John were two brothers who grew up in a family that loved God. When they were older, they went to live at a monastery, where a wise old man helped them learn to love and serve God.

The brothers worked hard and happily. They gathered fruit, helped the other monks, and did every kind of job. They prayed a lot and learned to read and write all by themselves, with God's help. They wanted nothing in the world except to be close to Jesus.

One day an angel of the Lord came and told the brothers they would be brave for God. The angel visited them many times to keep them strong and full of joy. The brothers always answered, "We are Christians, and Jesus is our only God."

Mercurius and John stayed faithful to God all the way home to heaven, and they are called martyrs. Then God showed two beautiful wonders. When their bodies were placed near a fire, the fire went out at once and did not touch them, and even their clothes stayed perfect. The next day, a fresh spring of water bubbled up from the ground in that very spot, and for years to come God used it to heal many who came to drink.

We say thank you to Mercurius and to John, two faithful brothers whom God kept safe in His care!

An angel of the Lord came and told the two brothers they would be brave for God, and they rose up with joy.