Meskerem 10 — September 20

The Wonderful Picture in Sedenya

Today we remember a beautiful picture of Our Lady Mary, the mother of Jesus. People say it was painted long ago by Luke, who also wrote one of the books of the Bible.

There was a kind widow named Martha who lived in a town called Sedenya. Her husband had died, so she lived alone, but she opened her home so that travelers had a safe place to sleep. Martha loved Our Lady Mary very much. One day a holy monk named Theodore, who had given his whole life to quiet prayer, stayed with her. Martha asked him, "When you visit Jerusalem, please bring me back a picture of Our Lady Mary."

Theodore bought a lovely picture. On his way home, a gentle voice spoke right out of it! When robbers came near, the voice said, "Do not be afraid. Finish your journey," and they left him alone. When a lion came close, the voice sent the lion away too. All along, God was keeping Theodore safe.

The picture was so special that Theodore wanted to keep it for himself. But every time he tried to sneak away, the door of Martha's house would not open! After three days he understood, and he gave the picture to Martha, just as he had promised. When they opened the cloth, sweet drops like oil were trickling from the picture, as if it were alive.

Martha gave the picture a place of great honor, with lamps that glowed day and night. The holy oil that dripped from it never ran out, and sick people were healed and blessed when they came to it. Everyone thanked God for such a precious gift.

Do not be afraid. Finish your journey.— the voice from the picture

Judith the Brave

We also remember Judith, a wise and brave woman who loved God and spoke His truth to her people.

Long ago, a fierce leader named Holophernes wanted to hurt God's people, the Israelites. Everyone was frightened. But Judith trusted God with all her heart. With great courage and clever wisdom, she stopped Holophernes and saved her whole nation.

Judith showed that God can use anyone, even one quiet woman, to rescue many people. She gave all the thanks back to God, because it was His strength that had carried her through.

The Birthday of Our Lady Mary

What a happy day! Today the Church also celebrates the birth of Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, the pure young woman God chose for the holiest task of all.

Mary's parents were a good and faithful couple named Joachim and Hanna. For a long time they had no child, and they prayed and prayed. Then God sent the angel Gabriel with the news they had longed to hear: "Your wife Hanna will have a baby!" Soon their little daughter Mary was born, and one day she would become the mother of Jesus.

We are glad that Mary was born, because she loves us and is always praying for us to her Son, Jesus. Happy birthday to Our Lady Mary!

Your wife Hanna will have a baby.— the angel Gabriel to Joachim

Matronya, Who Stayed Faithful

There was also a brave girl named Matronya. She was a Christian, just like her parents, and she loved Jesus very much.

Matronya worked as a helper for a woman who did not believe in Jesus. That woman wanted Matronya to stop being a Christian, but Matronya would not. One day, instead of going where the woman told her, she slipped away to pray in the holy church.

When the woman asked why, Matronya answered kindly and bravely that the church was the home where she loved to pray, because it belonged to Jesus.

The woman treated her harshly, but Matronya never stopped loving God. She stayed faithful all the way to the end, and went to be with Him in everlasting joy. Matronya teaches us to be brave and to keep loving God, no matter what.

The place where I love to go is the holy church, which belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ.— Saint Matronya

Saint Athanasia and Her Three Children

Last of all, we remember Saint Athanasia and her three children, a holy family who loved God together.

A mother praying beside her children is a beautiful picture of faith. We thank God for them, and we ask them to pray for us too.