Hidar 20 — November 29

Saint Anianus, the Sandal Maker Who Loved God

Today we remember a kind father named Anianus (say it: ah-NEE-ah-noos). He lived in the big city of Alexandria, in the land of Egypt. When he was young, he did not yet know about God. He made sandals for a living, the shoes people wore on their feet, and he was very good at it.

One day a special visitor came to the city. It was Saint Mark, who wrote one of the four Gospels in the Bible, the books that tell us the good news about Jesus. As Saint Mark was walking, his sandal broke, so he brought it to Anianus to mend.

While Anianus was fixing the sandal, his sharp little tool slipped and poked his finger. It hurt! He cried out in his own language, 'One God!' When Saint Mark heard those words, he smiled. He took a little dust, said a prayer, and gently touched the sore finger, and right away it was healed, good as new. Anianus could hardly believe it.

Anianus took Saint Mark home and asked him question after question. Saint Mark told him all about Jesus: how God loves us, how Jesus came to earth, and how Jesus rose again on Easter morning. Anianus and his whole family believed, and they were baptized, washed with water and welcomed into God's family.

Anianus grew to love God so much that Saint Mark made him a bishop, a shepherd who watches over God's people. He cared for them for twelve years, teaching them, helping them, and keeping them strong in their faith. Then he died in peace and went home to be with God.

While he worked, he cried out, 'One God!' — and that very moment, God began to change his whole life.

Anianus took care of God's people like a good shepherd, and God gave him a shepherd's reward in heaven.

A Church for Saint Theodore

Today we also remember a happy day long ago: the opening of a beautiful church built to honor Saint Theodore (say it: THEE-oh-dore). Saint Theodore was a brave soldier who loved God with all his heart and stayed faithful to Him no matter what.

When a new church is finished, the people hold a celebration to give it to God. They thank Him, they sing, and they ask the saint to pray for them. On this day, the people gave thanks for Saint Theodore's church and remembered how God had answered Theodore's prayers, once even bringing a lost child safely home to his mother again. What a joyful day!