Meskerem 11 — September 21

Fasiladas, the General Who Chose God

Long ago there lived a great soldier named Fasiladas (say it: fa-si-LA-das). He was a general, which means he led the king's army, and he was so wise that the kings listened to all his advice. He had a big house and many people who worked for him.

But something sad happened in his land. A new king named Diocletian stopped worshipping the true God and began bowing down to idols, which are only statues that people pretend are gods. When Fasiladas heard this, his heart was heavy.

Fasiladas loved God more than he loved being rich or important. He decided he would stay faithful to Jesus no matter what. The people who worked for him loved him so much that they said they would stay faithful to God right beside him.

Wicked men hurt Fasiladas because he would not stop loving Jesus, and in the end he gave his very life for God. That is what a martyr is. But here is the part that surprised everyone: again and again, our Lord Jesus sent His angel, and even came Himself, to comfort Fasiladas and make him well. God showed the whole land that He is stronger than anything.

Many people who watched began to believe in Jesus themselves. Fasiladas was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God.

Everyone who remembers you with kindness, or helps the poor and gives clothes to those who have none, I will keep them with Me in the kingdom of heaven.— what the Lord promised Fasiladas

Banafzez, the Lady Whose Name Means "Sweet Smell"

We also remember a holy old woman named Banafzez. Her name means "violet," which is a little purple flower, and like a flower she carried a sweet smell about her.

Banafzez was very old, but she was very brave. She loved God with her whole heart and never stopped trusting Him, even when unkind people took her far from her home.

She stayed faithful to Jesus right to the end and gave her life for Him. When she went home to God, a sweet smell filled the whole place, a quiet sign that He had welcomed His brave friend. God never forgets those who love Him.

Three Farmers Who Were Not Afraid

In a town in Egypt lived three farmers, friends who worked hard in the fields. Their names were Sures, Ankityos, and Mashadra.

One day they met a cruel ruler who was unkind to people who loved Jesus. The three friends were not afraid at all. They stood up bravely and said out loud, "We are Christians!"

They loved Jesus so much that they were willing to give up everything for Him, and they died as martyrs together. Three good friends who held each other's hands and went home to God on the same day.

We are Christians!— the three farmers

Cornelius, the First to Believe

Cornelius was a kind, good soldier who lived back in the days of the apostles, the close helpers Jesus chose to spread His good news. Cornelius prayed to God and gave generously to people in need, even before he had learned all about Jesus.

One day an angel appeared to Cornelius and told him to send for Peter the apostle. When Peter came, he told Cornelius and his whole family the good news about Jesus. They were so happy that they all believed and were baptized!

Cornelius is special because he was the very first person who was not from the Jewish people to believe in Jesus. After that, he spent the rest of his life telling others about God's love and helping many people come to know Jesus too.

Theodora, Who Loved God Quietly

Theodora was a woman from the city of Alexandria. One day she was very sad and felt she had done wrong, so she decided to give her whole life to God and ask for His forgiveness.

She went to live near a monastery, where people pray quietly together, and she spent her days praying and serving God. She fasted too, going without food for a while so she could turn her whole heart toward Him.

Some people said unkind and untrue things about her, and she was sent away. Theodora never grew angry. She kept praying and trusting God, even when life was very hard and lonely. God saw her gentle, faithful heart.

After many years, the truth came out, and everyone saw how good and humble she had been all along. Theodora died in peace and went to live forever with all the saints. She teaches us to forgive, to stay gentle, and to keep loving God even when things are unfair.

More Friends of God We Remember Today

On this same day we also remember some other holy friends of God: Saint Basil, who stayed faithful to Jesus; Theodore, a kind bishop of Jerusalem who watched over God's people; and Kawestos, a brave leader of the believers in Alexandria, together with those who loved God with him.

We thank God for all of them, and we ask these holy friends to pray for us.