Meskerem 18 — September 28

Eustathius, the Great Teacher

Eustathius (say it: yoo-STAY-thee-us) had a mother and father who loved God very much. Before he was even born, an angel came with happy news that they would have a baby boy. When he grew up, his parents taught him to read the Psalms and the holy books of the Church.

Eustathius went to live with his uncle, a holy monk, at a monastery, which is a quiet home where people pray together. There he learned to pray and to love God with all his heart. He grew up to serve in the church, first as a deacon and then as a priest, and he began to teach everyone about Jesus.

One day, something wonderful happened. Jesus appeared to him with the angels Michael and Gabriel and gave him a special job: to teach people about God in many lands, all the way from Ethiopia to Armenia.

Eustathius did just that! Crowds of people listened and began to love God. Through his prayers, blind people could see again and people who could not walk were made well. He even taught people to keep the Sabbath day holy.

Once Eustathius wanted to sail across the sea, but the sailors would not let him on their ship. So he took the cloth band from his head, blessed it, and made the sign of the Cross. Then he stepped onto it as if it were a boat! Two angels helped steer, and Jesus Himself guided the way safely across the water.

I have chosen thee from thy mother's womb, and appointed thee to become a teacher of many nations.— Jesus, to Eustathius

Saint Helena, Who Found the Cross

We also remember Saint Helena. She was the mother of Constantine, a good emperor who ruled over many people.

Helena loved Jesus, and she searched until she found the very Cross on which our Lord had given His life for us. What a joyful day that was! Because of Helena, Christians everywhere could remember and thank God for the Cross.

Abba Honorius, the Teacher

We also remember Abba Honorius (say it: oh-NOR-ee-us). He was a kind teacher at a monastery called Segadj, where he helped others learn to love and follow God. When his work on earth was done, he went home to be with the Lord.

Saint Mercurius, Who Chose Jesus

Mercurius (say it: mer-KYOOR-ee-us) was a musician who once made people laugh. He had grown up as a Christian. A king named Julian, who did not believe in God, asked Mercurius to make fun of the way Christians worship.

But while Mercurius was pretending to do a baptism with water, God shone a bright light all around him and warmed his heart. Suddenly he remembered how much he loved God! He went down into the water, was truly baptized, and stood up and said proudly, 'I am a Christian!'

The king tried to give him money to change his mind, but Mercurius would not. He stayed faithful to Jesus to the very end, and he went home to live with God forever. He was brave because he loved God more than anything.

If thou wert to give me all the money in the world, I would not deny my Lord Jesus Christ.— Saint Mercurius

The Feast of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross

This is also a special feast to celebrate the holy Cross of our Lord Jesus. The Cross reminds us of how much God loves us. It is a happy sign of His care, and we give thanks for it with glad hearts.

Mar Jacob, the Brave Monk

Mar Jacob (say it: mar JAY-kub) was given to God by his loving parents when he was a boy. He became a monk when he was only twelve years old, and he went to live in the quiet desert to pray.

He and his teacher lived in a tall tower beside a spring of water. Every day they poured water into little pools for the wild desert animals to drink. The gentle animals let Mar Jacob milk them, and that is how the monks were fed. God took good care of them!

Sometimes an evil spirit tried to trick Mar Jacob and his friends by pretending to be someone they trusted. But God helped Mar Jacob see the truth, and with one simple prayer the evil spirit had to leave. Nothing bad can stand against God.

Mar Jacob traveled to many places, and God healed sick people through his prayers. He helped a hurt man named Anthony get well, and he prayed for a boy who was very upset until the boy was calm and happy again. Once a whole city was sick, and Mar Jacob prayed in church. By the time the messengers went home, everyone in the city was healthy and well!

Mar Jacob and his fellow monks loved God so much that they were ready to stay faithful no matter what. They were brave friends of God right to the end, and at last the angels carried Mar Jacob's soul up to the heavenly Jerusalem.

We worship the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who came down from heaven.— Mar Jacob and his friends

Stephen the Priest and Niceta

Today we also remember Saint Stephen, a priest who served God faithfully, and Saint Niceta (say it: nih-SEE-ta). Both of them loved God and stayed true to Him all their lives. We thank God for their faithful hearts.

Many Holy Friends of God

On this day we also remember many more of God's holy friends. We remember when the bones of the apostle Thomas and of Archbishop Athanasius (say it: ath-uh-NAY-shus) were found and honored.

We remember our father Philotheus, through whom God's power healed and helped many, and Abba Nob, who lived quietly with God. We remember Euphemia (say it: yoo-FEE-mee-ah) and a whole group of brave men and women who loved God, along with Abba Finomis, Selhan, Akalaeles, and Isaac. Each one was a faithful friend of God, and we ask them to pray for us.

Thomas the Apostle Goes to India

Thomas was one of Jesus' twelve apostles, the close friends who helped Him most. Jesus asked Thomas to go far away to a land called India to teach people about God. But Thomas was a little afraid, because he had never been there and did not know the way.

Jesus gently told him not to worry, because His grace and help would always be with him.

So Thomas trusted Jesus and went. In India he came to a king who was having a big wedding party for his daughter. Thomas prayed for the bride and groom and taught them about Jesus. They listened and believed the good news! Because Thomas was brave and trusted God, many people in India came to know and love Jesus.

Fear thou not, for My grace is with thee.— Jesus, to Thomas