Hidar 13 — November 22

A Feast for All the Angels

Today is a happy feast day for the angels! Angels are God's helpers in heaven. They do not have bodies like ours, and there are more of them than we could ever count, thousands upon thousands. They love God, they sing to Him, and they pray for everyone in the whole world.

Many people in the Bible were given a peek at the angels. A holy man named Enoch said the clouds and the winds lifted him up, and he saw thousands of shining ones. A man named Jacob dreamed of a ladder that went all the way from the ground up to heaven, with angels going up and down it. The prophet Elijah once saw chariots of fire all around him, like a wall keeping him safe.

When Jesus was born, a whole sky full of angels sang a beautiful song. We still sing it today.

The teachers of the Church tell us there are different kinds of angels with special names: Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Dominions, Powers, Thrones, and Principalities. The two highest kinds are called the Cherubim and the Seraphim, and they stand closest to God. On this day we say hello to all of them and ask them to pray for us.

Glory be to God in the heavens, and peace upon earth, and His goodwill to the children of men.— the angels' song, Luke 2

Saint Askanafer and the Thirteen Robbers

Askanafer was a rich and important man in the city of Rome. He had a kind heart, and he loved to share his money with people who were poor and hungry.

There was a band of thirteen robbers who took things that did not belong to them. They heard that Askanafer had lots of money, so they dressed up like monks, the quiet men of prayer everyone trusted, and came to his gate planning to trick him.

But when Askanafer saw the men dressed as monks, he thought they were Jesus and His twelve apostles! He bowed low, welcomed them inside, gave them a fine meal, and washed their feet to show his love. He even sprinkled a little of the water on his own son, who had been very sick and unable to walk for thirty-five years. Right away the boy stood up, healed and well again.

When the robbers saw the boy walk, their hard hearts melted. They felt sorry for what they had planned to do. They handed Askanafer their knives and asked him to forgive them, and they hugged him as a friend.

Then those thirteen men chose a brand-new life. They went far out into the desert to pray and to live simply, trusting God to care for them. Sometimes one small kindness can change a person forever.

Abba Timothy Who Prayed for His Enemy

Abba Timothy was a bishop in a city called Ensena, which means he watched over many churches and the people in them. He was good and gentle from the time he was young.

A ruler in the city did not want Timothy to teach about Jesus, so he locked Timothy away for a long time and was very unkind to him. But Timothy never stopped loving God.

Later a new and kindly emperor named Constantine became king. He set free all the people who had been locked up for believing in Jesus, and Timothy went home at last.

Now here is the surprising part. Instead of being angry, Abba Timothy prayed all night long for the very ruler who had hurt him! He asked God to help that man come to know His love.

When the ruler heard that Timothy was praying for him, he was amazed. "I thought he would wish me ill," he said, "but instead he prays for me!" He came to Timothy, who gently taught him about Jesus. The ruler believed, was baptized, gave up his powerful job, and chose to live a holy life of prayer. Abba Timothy kept teaching his people kindly until he died in peace.

O Lord, have mercy upon that ruler, for he has brought me close to You.— the prayer of Abba Timothy

Abba Zachariah, Whom the Lions Would Not Touch

Abba Zachariah lived in the great city of Alexandria. He was a gentle, honest man who took good care of the church and its things. When it was time to choose someone to lead all the churches in that land, everyone agreed that kind Zachariah was the right one, and they made him archbishop.

One day a monk asked Zachariah to make him a bishop. Zachariah said, "Be patient, my son, and pray." The monk got angry and told untrue stories about Zachariah to the ruler. The ruler put Zachariah in prison and even sent hungry lions to scare him. But the lions would not come near him at all. Even when the ruler tried again, the lions simply would not touch God's faithful friend. The ruler was amazed and brought Zachariah out safely.

The ruler offered Zachariah money and a big important job if only he would stop following Jesus. But Zachariah answered bravely that he would never give up his faith, not for anything in the whole world.

After some hard years, God brought happy times again. The ruler let the people build their churches once more and gave back what he had taken. For twelve joyful years, Abba Zachariah built and blessed many beautiful churches.

Zachariah also prayed for sick people. Once a bishop and a deacon who were very ill came to him. He gently taught them to pray and trust God, and God made them well again. Everyone praised God for these wonders. After many good years, Abba Zachariah died in peace and went home to heaven.

If you gave me all the kingdoms of the world, I would not give up the true faith.— the words of Abba Zachariah

More Friends of God

On this day we also remember some other saints who loved God: Lestelia, Mekrona, Mariana, Philopator, Abrani, and the Emperor Honorius. We thank God for all His friends, and we ask them to pray for us too.