Megabit 27 — April 05

Abba Macarius, the Lamp of the Desert

Long ago in Egypt there lived a holy man named Macarius (say it: ma-KAH-ree-us). His name means "Blessed." His mother and father loved God and shared their food with anyone who was poor or hungry. When Macarius was born, they were full of thanks, because they had waited a long time for a child.

When Macarius grew up, he went to live in the desert to pray. There he had a dream he would never forget. A bright angel, called a cherub, took him to the top of a mountain and showed him the whole desert spread out below. The angel said God was giving this quiet land to Macarius and to many people who would one day pray there. So Macarius gave his whole life to loving and serving God.

He handed over everything he owned to people who were poor. Then he went deep into the desert to a place called Scete (say it: SKEET), built a little cave, and prayed day and night. It was hard, and it was lonely, but the kind cherub kept visiting him, and God watched over him.

One day Macarius heard God's gentle voice make him a promise: many, many people would come to this desert to love God and live good lives. And they did. From far and wide, people came to Macarius to learn how to pray, and he became the father of all the monks, the men who give their days to quiet prayer.

God gave Macarius the gift of healing. When a king's daughter was sick and troubled by an evil spirit, Macarius prayed for her and she was made completely well, because God is always stronger than anything evil. Her parents wanted to give him gold to thank him, but he would not take a single piece. He only wanted to serve God.

Macarius lived a long, holy life of ninety-seven years. When God was ready to bring him home, the angels and his dear friends came to greet him and carried him up to heaven, singing with joy.

Behold, God hath given this desert unto thee and thy sons for an inheritance.— the angel to Macarius

A Time Macarius Was Blamed Unfairly

Once, some people in his town said Macarius had done something wrong, though he had done nothing at all. They were angry, and they treated him badly. Macarius did not fight back, and he did not grow bitter. He stayed gentle, kept praying and working, and trusted God to make the truth known.

And God did. Soon everyone saw that Macarius was innocent. The people were very sorry and asked him to forgive them, and he forgave them with a kind heart. When we are blamed unfairly, we can do the same: stay patient, and let God take care of the truth.

When we are treated unfairly, we can stay gentle and trust God to bring the truth to light.

Macarius and Abba Anthony

Macarius wanted to learn even more about loving God, so he traveled across the desert to visit a wise old saint named Abba Anthony. When Anthony saw him coming, he smiled and welcomed him like a son. He taught Macarius how to pray, and how to be brave and patient.

Anthony told Macarius to be strong and never afraid, because God had given him a cherub to keep him safe all the days of his life. The two holy men became close friends. Before Anthony went home to God, he gave Macarius his own walking staff to keep. Macarius never forgot the kind lessons his friend had taught him.

Be strong and fear not.— Abba Anthony to Macarius

The Faithful Friends of the House of Yasla

In a place called Yasla there once lived a group of holy men and women who loved God with all their hearts. Wicked people hurt them because they would not stop following Jesus, and they gave up their lives rather than turn away from Him. People who stay faithful to God like this, even when it costs them everything, are called martyrs.

They were not afraid, because they trusted that God was bringing them home to live with Him forever. We remember them today with thankful hearts, for their love and their courage.

Hanna and Her Daughter Wahed

We also remember a loving mother named Hanna and her daughter Wahed. Side by side, they stayed faithful to God, and side by side they gave their lives for Him. Nothing could pull this mother and daughter away from the God they loved. Now they are together with Him in heaven, safe and happy forever.

Stephen and Agathon

We honor two more brave friends of God as well: Stephen and Agathon. They loved Jesus so much that they were willing to suffer rather than stop believing in Him, and they are remembered as faithful martyrs. Their courage reminds us that loving God is worth more than anything else in the whole world.

The Day Our Lord Was Crucified

On this day we remember the day our Lord Jesus Christ gave His life for us on the Cross. Jesus loved every person in the whole world so much that He was willing to do this to save us.

While Jesus was on the Cross, the bright sun went dark in the middle of the day, as if all of creation was grieving to see its Maker suffer. But this is not the end of the story. Jesus chose this on purpose, out of love, to open the way to heaven for everyone. We thank Him with all our hearts, because through His love the whole world is saved.

Salutation to Thy Crucifixion on the Cross.

Abba Hezekiah of Dabra Libanos

We also remember a hard-working holy man named Abba Hezekiah. He led the monks at a famous monastery called Dabra Libanos, a quiet home where many people pray together. He was the fourth father to lead it after the great Saint Takla Haymanot, and he spent his life praying and helping the monks grow closer to God.

King Claudius Who Loved God

Long ago in Ethiopia there was a good king named Claudius (say it: CLAW-dee-us). He was raised to love God and the Church. In his time, churches had been knocked down and many people had been carried far from their homes.

King Claudius was brave. With God's help, he won back his people's freedom, and the broken churches were built up again. He cared so much about the Christians and their churches that he would not stand by while they were in trouble.

In the end, King Claudius gave his own life standing up for his people and his faith, and he is remembered as a martyr. We remember with him a holy father named Abba John, who led the monks of Dabra Libanos, and many other faithful believers who stayed true to God. They were not afraid, because they knew God was welcoming them home to heaven.