Meskerem 24 — October 04

Abba Gregory, Who Chose a Quiet Life with God

Long ago in Egypt there lived a boy named Gregory. His mother and father loved God, and they were very rich. They sent Gregory to the best teachers, and he learned to read, to speak well, and to study the holy books of the Church.

When Gregory grew up, he loved God so much that he wanted to give his whole life to Him. He visited a wise holy man named Abba Pachomius, who taught him the way of God. Gregory even brought his family's money to help build a church and a home where monks could spend their days quietly praying.

Then Gregory chose to become a monk too. He prayed, he fasted (which means going without food for a little while to pray better), and he was always gentle, humble, and kind. People who saw how good and peaceful he was wanted to be good like him, and they turned back to God.

Later Gregory went deep into the desert to a quiet place called Scete, to live alone and pray. He dug himself a tiny cave and stayed there many years. Twice a year he walked back to visit his teacher, Abba Macarius, on the happy feasts of Christ's birth and of His rising from the dead.

When Gregory was very old, an angel came with good news: soon he would go home to live with God forever. Gregory gathered his friends, hugged them, and asked them to remember him in their prayers. Then he fell asleep in peace and went to be with God.

After three days you shall leave this passing world, and you shall enter everlasting life.— the angel to Abba Gregory

Saint Quadratus, the Brave Helper of Jesus

Today we also remember Saint Quadratus (you can say it kwa-DRAH-tus). He was one of the seventy-two disciples our Lord Jesus chose to spread the good news. A disciple is a student and friend of Jesus.

Quadratus came from the famous city of Athens, and his family was rich and important. But when he heard about Jesus, he believed with all his heart and gave his life to serving Him.

On the special day called Pentecost, God's Holy Spirit filled Quadratus with power and joy. After that, he traveled to many cities to teach people about Jesus. In a city called Magnis, he told everyone the good news, and so many people came to love God. He baptized them and helped them start churches with their own priests and teachers.

Some people in Athens did not want Quadratus to keep teaching about Jesus, and they hurt him. He stayed faithful to God right to the end of his life, even though it cost him everything, and so we call him a martyr. Quadratus was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to live with God forever, wearing a beautiful crown in heaven.

He shared the good news of Jesus in city after city, and many people came to love God.

Many More Friends of God

On this day the Church also remembers a whole group of God's faithful friends. There are Betrewa and Latayn; a church father named Gabriel; and Theodore, Netrolomes, and Eusanius. There are also Nestius, Zianus, Justus and his brother Elsarey, and Fratus.

We remember Cosmas and Damianus too. These two brothers were kind doctors who helped sick people get well and never asked for any money, because they loved God and wanted to share His love.

All of these friends of God lived for Him with brave and loving hearts. We thank God for them, and we ask them to pray for us so that we can love God just as they did.