Megabit 5 — March 14

Abba Sarapamon and the Cross of Fire

Abba Sarapamon (say it: sah-rah-PAH-mon) loved God so much that when he was still young he went to live in a monastery, a quiet home where people pray to God together. It was in a dry, sandy place called the desert of Scete, far away from the busy towns.

Sarapamon was a helper to the older monks, and he prayed and prayed for many, many years. He was so kind and faithful that he was chosen to be the abbot, the leader who looks after everyone in the monastery. He never stopped praying, not even when he grew very old.

One night, an angel from God came to visit him. The angel held out a cross that was shining like fire and said, "Take this cross in your hand." Sarapamon was surprised and asked, "How can I hold fire in my hand?" But the angel smiled and said something wonderful.

When Sarapamon reached out his hand, the fire did not hurt him at all. The angel told him that very soon God would take him home to heaven. Sarapamon told his friends what he had seen, and they hugged him. A few days later he closed his eyes and went peacefully to be with God.

Do not be afraid, for our Lord Jesus Christ has not given the fire any power over you.— the angel to Abba Sarapamon

Saint Eudoxia, Who Found a New Life

Saint Eudoxia (say it: yoo-DOK-see-ah) lived a long time ago in a land near a tall mountain called Lebanon. Her name means "Peace with good will." When she was young, Eudoxia did not know about God, and she made many wrong choices and lived in a way that did not please Him.

One day a kind and holy monk named Germanus came to talk with her. He gently told her about God, and about how God loves people and wants to forgive them. He told her that one day God will raise people up to new life. Eudoxia listened, and the words went deep into her heart.

She asked, "If I stop doing wrong things, will God still want me?" The monk said, "Yes! If you believe in Jesus and turn to Him, God will forgive everything, and you will be as fresh and clean as a newborn baby." Eudoxia believed, and she was baptized, washed with holy water to begin a new life with God. As she came to the water, she saw shining angels who were happy for her.

After that, Eudoxia gave away all her money to people who were poor, and she went to live a quiet life of prayer. God gave her a special gift: when she prayed, things happened that only God could do. Once she prayed, and God brought a leader's son back to life! Another time she made the sign of the cross over a young man who could not see out of one eye, and right away he could see clearly. So many people came to love God because of her. Eudoxia stayed faithful to God for the rest of her life and is remembered as a brave saint.

If you turn to the Lord Jesus, God will forgive you, and you will be as new as the day you were born.— Saint Germanus to Eudoxia

A Greeting for Gabra Manfas Kedus

We also send a loving greeting to a famous holy man named Gabra Manfas Kedus (say it: GAB-rah MAN-fas keh-DOOS). He lived alone in the wilderness and loved all of God's creatures.

He was so gentle and so close to God that even the wild lions grew calm and friendly around him, and the wild animals helped him like good friends. It reminds us that God's peace can make even the wildest things gentle.

Abuna Theodore, the Gentle Abbot

Abuna Theodore (say it: ah-BOO-nah THEE-oh-dor) was a leader of a famous monastery in Ethiopia called Dabra Libanos. He was the fifth person to sit on the special seat that once belonged to the great saint Abuna Takla Haymanot.

Ever since he was a boy, Theodore loved God and followed all the good teachings of the holy fathers who came before him. He spent his days praying and fasting, going without food for a little while to grow closer to God, and he tried to live as pure and good as the angels.

After a long life of serving God, Theodore went peacefully from this world to the happy rest that lasts forever with God in heaven.