Hidar 18 — November 27

Atrasis and Yona, Two Brave Friends

Long ago there was a girl named Atrasis (say it: ah-TRA-sis). She was a king's daughter, and her father did not know the true God. Atrasis lived in a beautiful palace, but more than anything she wanted to know who really made the world.

Every day and every night she prayed, "Dear God, please show me the right way to live." One night she had a dream. A kind voice told her to find a girl named Yona (say it: YO-na), who would teach her about God. When Atrasis woke up, her heart was full of joy!

Atrasis sent for Yona, and Yona hurried to her. Yona told her the whole story of God: how He made the first man, Adam; how He loved His people through all the long years; and how His own Son, Jesus, came down to earth and was born of Mary to save everyone. Atrasis listened, and the words were sweeter to her than honey. She believed in God with all her heart.

The two girls became best friends. They prayed together and thanked God together. One day they even saw Jesus and His mother Mary, and Jesus blessed them. What a gift that was!

When the king found out his daughter loved Jesus, he was angry and tried to frighten her, but Atrasis was not afraid. The two friends held hands and trusted God to the very end, and they went home to heaven together. We call them martyrs (MAR-ters), because they stayed faithful to God no matter what. Their friends found them looking peaceful, as if they were only asleep, and later built a church to remember them. God blessed and healed many people in that place.

Turn, O my father, to the God Who created you, and in Whose hand is your soul and body.— Atrasis, speaking to her father

Philip the Apostle

Today we also remember Philip, one of the twelve apostles Jesus chose and sent out to tell the whole world about Him. Philip traveled to a faraway land called Phrygia (FRIJ-ee-a) to share the good news about Jesus.

With God's help, Philip and his friend Peter healed and freed many people. Once a man was troubled by an evil spirit. Peter prayed, and the spirit had to leave, because God is always stronger than anything bad. The man was made well, and he was so happy that he followed the apostles into the city.

Then God showed His power in a way no one expected. There was a tall stone pillar by the city gate. When Peter prayed, the gate and pillar lay gently down on the ground, and when he prayed again, they stood right back up. The people could hardly believe their eyes. The healed man climbed up high and called out for everyone to come and meet the apostles, so they too could be blessed and forgiven.

Many people believed in Jesus that day. But some who did not believe were unkind to Philip because he would not stop teaching about God. Philip stayed brave and joyful, faithful to God right to the end, and so he became a martyr.

Then something happened that no one expected. When the unkind people tried to harm Philip's body, an angel of God swooped down and carried it safely away. Seeing this, the people were filled with awe and sorry for what they had done. They prayed to God, and they too came to believe in Jesus.

One is the Lord God of Saint Philip the apostle!— the people, after they saw the angel

Eleutherus and His Loving Mother

Eleutherus (say it: el-OO-ther-us) was a boy from the city of Rome who loved God deeply. A kind bishop named Anicetus helped raise him. A bishop is a leader who watches over God's churches. Eleutherus learned and prayed so faithfully that, while he was still young, he became a deacon, then a priest, and then a bishop himself, caring for many people.

An emperor heard about Eleutherus and wanted him to stop following Jesus. But Eleutherus was not afraid. He answered bravely that Jesus is the Maker of heaven and earth, and that following Him is the truest freedom there is.

Again and again, God kept Eleutherus safe, like a loving Father watching over His child. When he was shut in a hot oven, God cooled it down. When he was locked in prison, God sent a raven to bring him food, so he was never hungry. Even fierce lions would not hurt him. They came close and gently licked his face and feet, as tame as friendly pets. Everyone who watched was amazed, and many people came to believe in God.

A guard named Pilkes saw how brave Eleutherus was and chose to follow Jesus too, and so did a governor. In the end, Eleutherus and his mother Entia (EN-tee-a) stayed faithful to God together, and they went home to heaven side by side. They are martyrs, and we remember their courage and their love, for God and for each other.

My freedom is the Cross of Jesus Christ, Who is the Creator of the heavens and of the earth.— Eleutherus