Meskerem 4 — September 14

Abba Macarius, the Gentle Archbishop

Today we remember a holy father named Abba Macarius. He became the archbishop of a great city called Alexandria, the leader who watches over all its churches. He was the sixty-ninth archbishop there. Think how long that line of caring shepherds must have been!

Even when he was young, Macarius loved God with all his heart. He went to live in a quiet desert place called Scete and became a monk, giving his days to prayer. He prayed hard, he read the Holy Bible every day, and he learned what it meant so he could teach others.

When the old archbishop died, the bishops and many wise teachers came together. They talked for many days about who should be the next leader. Everyone agreed: kind, prayerful Macarius would be the best one! But Macarius felt he was too small for such a big job. He even tried to slip away so they would pick someone else. Gently, the people showed him there was no reason to say no, because God truly wanted him. So he said yes.

Macarius led the church for twenty-seven years. Every single day he taught the people and reminded them to love God, and he gave food and help to anyone who was poor or hungry. And here is something beautiful: he never kept money from the church for himself. Instead, he gave a big part of his own gifts back to God. After a long, faithful life, he died in peace.

Every day he taught the people, and he cared for the poor and the needy, and he never kept anything from the church for himself.

More Friends of God We Remember Today

On this same day we also remember many other friends of God. We thank Him for each one.

We remember Simon the anchorite, who lived all alone in a quiet place and spent his days praying to God.

We remember Joshua the son of Nun. Joshua was a brave helper of Moses in the Bible. After Moses, God chose Joshua to lead His people into the land He had promised them. Joshua trusted God, and God was always with him.

We remember Ardase the archbishop, another loving church leader, and Enteya, who was one of the Seventy. (The Seventy were special helpers Jesus sent out to tell people the good news about God.) We also remember Theodore the bishop, a teacher who helped people understand God.

And we remember 150 brave Christians from a city called Antioch who loved Jesus so much that they stayed faithful to Him no matter what. They were not afraid, because they knew God was holding them and welcoming them home to heaven.

Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.— Joshua 1:9