Megabit 14 — March 23

Saint Cyril, the Wise Church Father

Today we remember a kind and clever church father named Cyril. He grew up in a part of Egypt called the Fayyum, and when he was older he became a priest, leading people in prayer and helping them learn about God.

Later, Cyril went to live near a big city, where he prayed and studied for many years. He loved books, and he had lots and lots of them about God. He read them carefully and understood them so well that he could explain hard things in a simple way.

One day Cyril was invited to talk with many wise teachers. They asked him question after question, hoping to puzzle him. But Cyril answered every single one clearly and gently, and everyone could see how much he loved God.

People heard how smart and holy Cyril was, and they wanted him to be their leader. So they made him the archbishop of the great city of Alexandria, the leader who watches over many churches at once. Cyril cared for God's people like a good shepherd. He even wrote helpful rules so that prayers in church would be done well and beautifully. After many years of serving God, Cyril went peacefully home to heaven.

He could explain hard things in a simple way, because he loved God and loved to learn.

Abba Barles, the Secret Helper

Abba Barles was a wise old monk who had given his whole life to quiet prayer. He had a kind and gentle heart, and he cared most of all about helping people who had lost their way.

In the city there were women who lived sad lives, far from God. Abba Barles wanted to help them turn back to Him. He worked hard at a job all day, and with the little money he earned he would buy food. Then he would share it with these women and spend the whole night quietly praying for them, asking God to keep them safe and to give them a better life.

Some people did not understand what Abba Barles was doing. They saw him visiting and thought he was being bad, and they said unkind things about him. But Abba Barles only wanted to help, and he never stopped praying.

Slowly, his kindness changed things. Many of the women left their sad lives behind. Some chose to pray and serve God, and some made happy, honest homes of their own. When Abba Barles died, people found that he had left a gentle message for everyone: do not be quick to judge someone before you really know their heart.

People of the city, do not judge anyone too soon; the time to understand will come when God comes.— Abba Barles

Abba Sinoda, the Brave Believer

Abba Sinoda lived in Egypt, and he loved Jesus with all his heart. In those days, a ruler wanted everyone to bow down to statues called idols instead of worshiping the true God. But Sinoda would not do it.

When the ruler asked him about his faith, Sinoda answered bravely and told the truth: Jesus Christ is the one true God. This made the ruler angry, and his soldiers treated Sinoda very harshly and put him in a dark prison.

But Sinoda was not alone! That night the angel Michael came to him, shining and kind. The angel healed all his hurts and made him strong and well again. He told Sinoda not to be afraid, because God was with him and a beautiful crown was waiting for him in heaven.

In the morning, the soldiers were amazed to find Sinoda standing up and praying, happy and healthy, as if nothing bad had ever happened. Even though wicked people kept trying to harm him, Sinoda stayed true to God right to the end, giving up his very life rather than turn away from Jesus. After he died, sick people who came to him were made well. Sinoda was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God.

Be strong, do not be afraid, for crowns of glory have been made ready for you.— the angel Michael to Sinoda

Three Brave Teachers: Eugenius, Eugandarus, and Alibidius

On this day we also remember three good friends named Eugenius, Eugandarus, and Alibidius. They came from families who loved God, and they grew up learning all about Him.

A holy archbishop saw how much they loved God, and he made them bishops, the church leaders who care for God's people. But instead of staying in one place, these three were sent out as travelers, going from city to city to tell people the good news about Jesus.

They were brave and tireless, sharing God's love wherever they went. In one place, some people who did not believe were unkind to them and hurt them. The three friends stayed faithful right to the end, giving their lives together rather than stop following Jesus. They were not afraid, because they knew they were going home to God, who loved them very much.

Thomas the Apostle Helps a Woman

Last of all, we remember something kind that Thomas the Apostle did. Thomas was one of Jesus' closest friends and helpers.

A woman had been troubled for a long time by an evil spirit, and she was very frightened and sad. She came to Thomas and begged him to help her. She had heard that evil spirits run away when Thomas prays, so she asked him, "Please pray for me and set me free."

Thomas listened kindly. Then he prayed for the woman and told the evil spirit to leave her, and it had to go at once, because God is always stronger than anything evil. Thomas made the sign of the Cross over her and gave her the Holy Communion, and she was free and full of joy.

Then Thomas gently sent her back home to her family, safe and happy again. What a glad day that was!

Thomas prayed for her, and the evil spirit had to go — because God is always stronger than anything evil.