Meskerem 20 — September 30

Abba Athanasius, the Good Shepherd

Today we remember a beloved church father named Abba Athanasius (say it like "Ath-a-NAY-shus"). He was the twenty-eighth archbishop of a great city called Alexandria. An archbishop is a leader who takes care of many churches and many people, the way a shepherd takes care of his sheep.

Before he became archbishop, Athanasius helped run the church and looked after everything carefully. He loved God so much, and he lived such a holy and kind life, that everybody knew about it. When the leader before him went home to God, all the bishops, the leaders of the city, the older wise people, and the regular families agreed together. They all said, "Athanasius should be our archbishop!"

Athanasius was so humble that he did not even want the big job. But the people gently chose him anyway, because they trusted him. He took care of God's people like a brave shepherd who keeps wolves away from the sheep. He guided everyone with good teaching, gentle words, and lots of prayer.

Athanasius led the church for seven years, and God was very pleased with him. When his work was finished, he died in peace, resting safely in God's arms.

He took care of God's people like a brave shepherd, guiding everyone with good teaching, gentle words, and lots of prayer.

Saint Malidama, the Faithful Friend of God

On this day we also remember a holy young woman named Malidama. She loved God with her whole heart and stayed faithful to Him no matter what.

Some people did not want her to keep loving and following God, and they hurt her for it. Malidama was very brave. She would not stop trusting God, even when staying faithful cost her her life. That is what it means to be a martyr.

She was not afraid, because she knew that God loved her and was waiting to welcome her home to heaven. We can ask brave Malidama to pray for us, so that we can love God bravely too.

A Whole Family of Saints

On this day the church remembers many more friends of God all together. Their names are Athena, Marena, Pila, Abraham the monk, Rade'e, Sades, Thaddeus, Epiphanius, the good man Armanyos (also called Armenius), and Simeon, who was the chief bishop of the holy city of Jerusalem.

Each one of these saints loved God in their own way. Some were monks, living quiet lives of prayer. Some were leaders who taught others about Jesus. Simeon was the head of all the bishops in Jerusalem, the city where Jesus walked and taught long ago.

It is a happy thing to remember so many saints on one day. It reminds us that God has had countless faithful friends all through time, in every place. And He is calling us to be His good friends too. We can ask all of these saints to pray for us today.

God has had countless faithful friends all through time, in every place — and He is calling us to be His good friends too.