Hidar 16 — November 25

The Church of Saint Abunafer in the Desert

Today we remember a special day long ago: a church was made holy for a good man called Saint Abunafer (say it: ah-boo-NA-fer). His church was built just outside a city in Egypt called Mesr, which today we call Cairo.

Saint Abunafer loved God so much that he went to live all alone out in the desert, where the land is hot and dry and sandy and hardly anyone lives. He had no house and no warm clothes the way we do. Instead, the long hair on his head and his long beard kept him warm when it was cold and shaded him when the sun was hot. God took care of him in that empty place.

When the people made this church holy, setting it apart just for God, we say they consecrated it. They built it so they could come and pray and remember how Saint Abunafer trusted God with his whole heart.

Abba John, Who Was Called "the Merciful"

Abba John came from an island called Cyprus, and he was very, very rich. His father was the ruler of his city. John had a wife and children whom he loved.

Then something sad happened: his wife and his children died. John was heartbroken. But instead of keeping all his money, he gave everything he owned to people who were poor and hungry. Then he went off to live a quiet life of prayer as a monk, working hard to please God.

John had such a kind heart that all the church leaders in Egypt chose him to watch over their churches as the archbishop in the big city of Alexandria. He did not want such an important job, but he served God faithfully anyway, and God helped him do much good.

Every single day, Abba John gave the poor and needy whatever they needed. He was so full of love and so quick to help that everyone began to call him by a special name: John the Merciful. People everywhere honored him, and he took care of God's people wisely until he died in peace.

Every single day, Abba John gave to the poor and needy whatever they needed — and so the people called him John the Merciful.

Saint Xystus the Brave Bishop

Saint Xystus (say it: SIS-tus) was a bishop, which is a leader of the church. He loved Jesus more than anything in the whole world.

A cruel ruler told Saint Xystus to stop following Jesus, but Saint Xystus would not. He stayed faithful and brave, even when wicked people hurt him for it. In the end he gave his life rather than turn away from God. That kind of faithful friend, who holds on to God even when it costs everything, is called a martyr.

Saint Xystus was not afraid, because he trusted God completely. We believe that Jesus welcomed him into heaven and gave him a beautiful crown, the special reward God gives to those who love Him to the very end.

Saint Tatia and the Lion Who Would Not Hurt Her

Saint Tatia (say it: TAH-tee-ah) lived in the city of Rome. A ruler told her to bow down and pray to idols, pretend gods made of stone and metal that cannot hear or help anyone. But Tatia answered bravely that she belonged only to Jesus.

The ruler took her to the temple where the idols stood. There Saint Tatia knelt and prayed to the one true God. Suddenly the ground shook, and the idols toppled over and broke to pieces! She had shown everyone that the statues had no power at all, but God has all power.

The ruler still tried to frighten her. He even had a hungry lion brought to her. But when the big lion came close, instead of hurting her, it lay down gently at her feet and licked them, like a friendly kitten! And a voice from heaven said sweet words to comfort her.

Saint Tatia stayed faithful to Jesus to the very end and gave her life for Him. Kind people wrapped her carefully and laid her to rest, and afterward God did many wonders in that place to honor her brave, loving heart.

Rejoice, O pure one, for I am with thee.— a voice from heaven to Saint Tatia

Daniel the Monk and the Emperor Who Lived Like a Monk

Abba Daniel was a monk who lived in the desert and prayed for many, many years. He worked very hard, ate only plain herbs and water, and often went without food to grow closer to God. He did this so much that he started to think, "I must be the very best at praying. Nobody can do as much as I do."

But it is not good to be proud. So God sent a shining angel to gently teach Daniel. The angel told him that God loves a humble heart, the kind that thinks of others and never brags, far more than a proud one.

Then the angel told Daniel a surprise. A man named Honorius, the emperor of a great city, was just as holy as Daniel, maybe even more. An emperor is a powerful king who rules over many lands. Daniel could hardly believe it, so he asked God to take him to see this emperor. A cloud lifted Daniel up and carried him all the way there!

When Daniel met Honorius, the emperor told him his secret. Even though he was a rich and powerful king, every day Honorius worked with his own hands weaving palm leaves. He ate only simple bread, herbs, and salt, gave the rest to the poor, never said unkind words, and never wanted things that belonged to other people. On the outside he wore a crown, but on the inside he lived as humbly as any monk.

Daniel felt sorry for being proud. "Please forgive me for thinking I was better than you," he said. He learned that you can love and serve God in a palace or in the desert. What matters is a humble, kind heart. Soon after, both holy friends went home to God, and we trust they live together in heaven.

Our Lord Jesus Christ desires not pride but lowliness, and a gentle, humble heart.— the angel to Abba Daniel