Meskerem 17 — September 27

Empress Helena Finds the Holy Cross

Today is a very happy feast! It is the day we remember when the Honorable Cross of our Lord Jesus was found again. The Cross is the wood on which Jesus gave His life for us, and Christians love it because it reminds us how much God loves us.

For a long time the Cross was lost. People had piled dirt and trash over the place where Jesus was buried, until a great hill grew there. They did this because God kept showing His love at that holy spot, and sick people who came near it got well.

Then a kind and faithful queen named Helena came to the holy city of Jerusalem. (Helena was the mother of a good emperor named Constantine.) She asked where Jesus had been buried, and she had the great hill cleared away. Deep under all that dirt, they found the Honorable Cross! Everyone was filled with joy.

Helena built a church on that spot, and Christians came from many far-off lands to celebrate. It was a happy feast, almost as big as Easter, when we remember that Jesus rose from the dead.

She had the great hill cleared away, and deep under all that dirt, they found the Honorable Cross!

The Sweet Water and Isaac the Samaritan

On the way to the feast, some Christians were walking together. With them was a man named Isaac. Isaac did not believe in the Cross, and he teased the Christians, asking why they cared so much about a piece of wood.

As they traveled, the Christians grew very thirsty. They came to a well, but the water was bitter and dirty, and they could not drink it. Isaac laughed and said that if their faith were true, the bad water would turn sweet.

A good and gentle priest named Eudoxius (you say it Yoo-DOK-see-us) was with them. He knelt down and prayed over the bitter water. Right away the water became sweet and clean! All the people and even their animals drank happily.

But when Isaac went to drink from his own water bag, his water had gone bad. Isaac began to cry, and he understood that God is real and good. He bowed down and believed in Jesus. Then he, too, drank the sweet water. A shining cross of light appeared over the well, and the people built a lovely church there to thank God.

Later, in Jerusalem, Isaac and his whole family were washed in holy water to begin a new life with God. We call this being baptized. Now Isaac was full of joy, too.

He knelt down and prayed over the bitter water, and right away the water became sweet and clean.

Saint Theognosta and the Singing Pillars

We also remember a brave young woman named Theognosta (you say it Thay-og-NOS-ta). One day, travelers from a faraway land called India found her reading her book, and they took her home with them.

Even far from home, Theognosta kept loving God. She was put in charge of the king's household. When the king's son became very sick, Theognosta held him gently and made the sign of the Cross over him, and the boy got well at once. The whole house could hardly believe their eyes.

Once the king went away to face danger, and dark clouds and storms came against him. Remembering Theognosta's faith, the king made the sign of the Cross. The clouds cleared, the sun shone, and the trouble passed. The king came home safe and full of joy.

Then the king and all his people wanted to follow Jesus, so a kind priest came and baptized them. Together they built a church. They needed strong stone pillars but had none, so Theognosta prayed with tears. And what a wonder happened: the pillars came all by themselves to the new church! The people thanked God with great gladness. Theognosta lived a long, holy life with other women who loved God, and she fell asleep in peace.

Abba Dionysius, the Wise Teacher

We also remember a wise church father named Abba Dionysius (you say it Dy-oh-NISH-us). In the great city of Alexandria he was an archbishop, which means a leader who cared for many churches.

Once, a ruler who did not love God wanted to harm Dionysius, but God kept him safe and hidden. Dionysius was very smart and gentle. He studied many holy books and helped put them into words people could understand, so that everyone could learn about God.

He took care of God's people kindly and peacefully for nineteen years. He lived in the same time as Saint Anthony, the famous father of the monks, who started homes of prayer in Egypt. After a faithful life of teaching and loving God, Abba Dionysius died in peace.

More Friends of God

On this day we also remember four more holy people who loved God: Labiba, Cirianus, Justin, and Tekaleltes. We do not know all their stories, but God knows every one of them by name. We ask these kind saints to pray for us, too.