Hidar 25 — December 04

Saint Mercurius, the Brave Soldier

Today we remember a brave saint named Mercurius (say it: mer-KYOO-ree-us). His other name was Philopator, which means "one who loves the Father." His family were hunters who lived long ago, and an angel of the Lord watched over them and helped them. The angel once promised that good fruit would come from this family one day. That good fruit was Mercurius!

When Mercurius grew up, he became a soldier, and then a leader of soldiers. God made him strong and wise. One day the emperor's land was in great danger, and Mercurius told everyone not to be afraid because God would help them. Then a shining helper from God appeared and gave Mercurius a sword, saying, "When you have won, remember the Lord your God." With God's help, Mercurius won, and he came home full of joy.

Mercurius loved Jesus with his whole heart. When the emperor asked him to bow down to idols (statues that are not the real God), Mercurius said no. He laid down his soldier's belt and said he would never stop following Jesus. Wicked people hurt him, and in the end he gave his life rather than turn away from Jesus. He was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God, where he received a beautiful crown in heaven.

When you have won, remember the Lord your God.— the shining helper from God

The Lost Traveler Who Was Rescued

After Mercurius went home to God, many churches were built in his name, and God kept answering prayers through him. Here is one happy story. A young man was crossing the desert on a very long journey. One night he climbed down from his camel, and his friends rode away without noticing. Suddenly he was all alone, far from home, with no idea which way to go.

The young man was frightened, so he prayed to God and asked Saint Mercurius to help him. "If you bring me home safely, I will follow Jesus," he promised. Right away a kind rider on a beautiful horse came to him. "Climb up behind me," the rider said. The young man climbed on, and the horse carried him swiftly all the way to the church of Saint Mercurius in the city of Cairo, far across the desert!

In the morning the young man saw a picture of Saint Mercurius on the wall, and he knew at once that this was the very rider who had saved him. He was so thankful that he became a Christian and took the name John. He learned to read the Holy Books, and he loved God for the rest of his life. God had heard his prayer and brought him safely home.

If you bring me home safely, I will follow Jesus.— the young man's prayer

Acarius and Romanus

Two more holy friends of God are remembered today: Acarius and Romanus. They loved God and served Him faithfully. We thank God for all His good saints, and we ask them to pray for us.

Sabla Wangel, Queen of Ethiopia

We remember Sabla Wangel too (say it: SAB-la WAN-gel), a queen of Ethiopia who fell asleep in the Lord on this day. Her name means "the harvest of the Gospel." She was a Christian queen who loved God and His Church. We thank God for kind leaders who help their people and love the Lord, and we remember her with joy.