Megabit 11 — March 20

Saint Tewokanitos and Brave Alexandra

Tewokanitos (say it: teh-woh-kah-NEE-tos) was a soldier in the army of an emperor named Maximianus. One day he made a big, brave choice. He took off his soldier's belt, which was his way of leaving the army, because he wanted to follow Jesus instead. A kind woman named Alexandra chose to follow Jesus too. Together they loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all their hearts.

When the emperor heard about this, he was angry and tried to make them stop believing in Jesus. But Tewokanitos and Alexandra would not stop. They stayed close to God and held on to their faith, no matter what.

Wicked people hurt the two friends because they would not give up Jesus, and they both died as martyrs, faithful to God to the very end. They were not afraid, because they knew they were going home to Him. Later, kind Christians found them and buried them gently, praying for them with love. Tewokanitos and Alexandra teach us that it is worth being brave for Jesus, even when it is very hard.

Tewokanitos took off his soldier's belt, because he wanted to follow Jesus instead.

Basil the Bishop and the Boy Brought Back

Basil (also called Basilaos) was made a bishop by Abba 'Armon, a church leader in the holy city of Jerusalem. A bishop is a leader who cares for many churches. But Basil was not given just one city. He was sent far and wide to tell people about Jesus in places where nobody had heard the good news yet.

It was not easy. In some towns the people would not listen, and they sent Basil away. So he went to live in a cave outside one city, and there he prayed and prayed for the people, asking God to help them know how much He loved them.

Then something very sad happened in that city. The governor's only son died, and his father was full of grief. But one night the governor had a dream. In the dream his son said, 'Father, please go and find Basil the bishop, and ask him to pray to the Lord Jesus for me.' So the governor and the city elders hurried to Basil's cave and begged him to come.

Basil came and knelt by the boy's grave and prayed. And the boy stood up alive again, right in front of everyone. How amazed and happy they were! The governor and a great many people in the city believed in God and were baptized that day. Basil had prayed faithfully for them for a long time, and God answered with great joy.

Father, please go and find Basil the bishop, and ask him to pray to the Lord Jesus for me.— the boy in the governor's dream

Abba 'Alef, One of the Nine Saints

Today we also remember Abba 'Alef (say it: AH-lef), who was one of the Nine Saints. The Nine Saints were holy friends who came to Ethiopia long ago to help people learn about Jesus. They built quiet prayer homes called monasteries and taught the Bible, and the church in Ethiopia grew strong because of them.

Abba 'Alef spent his whole life praying and serving God. When his work on earth was finished, God called him home to heaven. We thank God for the Nine Saints, who loved Him so much that they traveled far to share Him with others.

Four Faithful Martyrs

On this day we also remember four brave Christians: Ausanius, Ephraim, Arcadius, and Elias. Each of them loved the Lord Jesus and stayed faithful to Him to the very end of their lives.

We do not know every detail of their stories, but we know the most important thing. They kept loving God and would not turn away from Him. They are martyrs, and they are now safe and happy with God forever. We can ask these kind saints to pray for us, so that we can be brave and faithful too.