Meskerem 16 — September 26

Queen Helena and the Holy Church in Jerusalem

Here is a very happy day to remember. Long ago there lived a kind queen named Helena (we say it HEL-en-a), and she was the mother of a good king named Constantine.

Queen Helena loved God very much. She told her son, "I want to go to the holy city of Jerusalem. I want to find the Cross of Jesus." Her son was glad, and he sent helpers and gifts with her.

In Jerusalem, the queen prayed and searched. After a lot of hard work, she found the wood of the Cross of Jesus. Her heart was full of joy, and she treated it with great honor.

Then Queen Helena wanted to build churches at the holy places: where Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where He prayed, and where He rose again. A wise church leader named Abba Macarius gave her good advice. Build strong churches that will last, he said, and give the rest of the money to people who were poor. The queen listened to him gladly.

King Constantine was so happy that he sent even more gifts. He told everyone to pay the workers their wages every single day, so no one would be sad or tired without their pay.

When the churches were finished, leaders came from many cities to bless them. There was joy like no one had ever seen before. A bright light shone over the place, and signs of God's love filled the day. Everyone praised God together and then went home in peace.

I will go to the holy city of Jerusalem, and I will seek for and find the Cross of our Lord.— Queen Helena

Tobit, the Kind Man Who Could See Again

We also remember a good man named Tobit (we say it TOH-bit). Tobit always tried to do what was right. He shared his food and his money with people who needed help, even when he lived far from home in a strange land.

Tobit was so kind that when he found a poor person who had died with no one to care for them, he would gently bury them himself. That was a loving thing to do.

One night, while Tobit was resting, something fell into his eyes and he could not see anymore. He was very sad, but he kept praying to God and trusting Him.

Far away lived a young woman named Sara who was also sad and lonely, because an evil spirit kept frightening her. God heard Tobit's prayer, and He heard Sara's prayer too. So He sent His angel Raphael (we say it RAF-ay-el) to help them both. God is always stronger than anything that is bad.

Tobit sent his son Tobias on a journey to bring back some money. The angel Raphael came along, looking just like a friendly helper. On the way, by the river, Tobias caught a big fish, and the angel showed him how to keep parts of it.

Tobias met Sara and married her. Using what the angel had taught him, he sent the evil spirit away for good, and Sara was happy and safe at last. Then Tobias hurried home and gently rubbed the fish medicine on his father's eyes. Tobit could see again! He was overjoyed and thanked God with all his heart.

Tobit lived a long, good life. Before he went to rest with God, he told his son to always be kind and to help others, just as he had done.

See, my son, that being kind and giving help will save you and keep you in God's care.— Tobit to his son

More of God's Faithful Friends

Today the Church also remembers a group of holy people who loved God: Warkela, Simeon, Marcianus, Azyanos, Hali, Ronikos, Lucianus, Azremanos, Peter, and Hannah.

There was also a holy monk named Abba Agathon, who spent his days in quiet prayer. He worked very hard to keep his words gentle and kind, so that he would only ever say things that were good and helpful. We can try to do the same.

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