Meskerem 26 — October 06

An Angel Brings Wonderful News to Zacharias

Long ago there was a good and kind man named Zacharias (say it ZAK-a-rye-us). He was a priest, which means he had the special job of praying to God and serving in God's holy house. Zacharias loved God with all his heart.

Zacharias and his wife, Elisabeth, were very old, and they had no children. For many years they had wanted a baby, and Zacharias prayed and prayed and asked God to give them a child. Some people were unkind to him because he had no son, but he kept on praying and trusting God.

One day, while Zacharias was standing and praying inside the holy place, God sent the angel Gabriel to him, one of God's messengers from heaven. Gabriel had news Zacharias had waited his whole life to hear: 'You and Elisabeth are going to have a baby boy, and you will call him John!' This baby would grow up to be a great prophet who told people God's words. John would get everyone ready for Jesus, who was coming soon.

Zacharias could hardly believe it, because he was so old. So God let him stay quiet and unable to speak until the baby was born. When little John was born, everyone was happy! When it was time to name the baby, Zacharias wrote on a little tablet, 'His name is John.' Right away he could talk again, and the very first thing he did was praise God with a glad heart.

John grew up to be John the Baptist, who walked ahead of Jesus and helped people get ready to meet Him. God always hears our prayers, even when we have to wait a long time.

His name is John.— the words Zacharias wrote

Aboli the Brave Martyr

Today we also remember a brave young man named Aboli (say it ah-BOH-lee), the son of a man called Justus. Aboli loved Jesus very much and would never stop believing in Him, even when it was hard. He kept loving God no matter what, right to the very end of his life, even when it cost him everything. That is why we call him a martyr.

On this day, the Church remembers when Aboli's body was carried to a special resting place so that people could honor him and thank God for his brave and faithful heart. Aboli was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to be with God forever. We ask this brave saint to pray for us, so that we can be faithful and brave too.

Ten Thousand Faithful Friends and Saint Agati

On this day we also remember a very large group of God's faithful people: ten thousand of them! That is more people than you could ever count by yourself. Each one of them loved God and stayed close to Him, and they are all remembered together as martyrs and saints.

We also remember a holy saint named Agati (say it ah-GAH-tee), who lived in the land of Egypt long ago. Agati loved God and served Him faithfully. Just think how many people, all over the world and all through time, have loved God and become His friends. They are like a giant family in heaven, and they pray for us.

Saint George the Martyr

Last of all, today we remember our father George the martyr. George was a strong and brave man who loved Jesus more than anything in the whole world. No matter what happened, he would not stop telling people about God's love.

Some people did not want George to keep believing in Jesus, and they tried to make him afraid. But George stayed faithful and brave, and he gave his whole life to God. That is why we call him a martyr. He was not scared, because he trusted that God would take care of him and bring him safely home to heaven.

Saint George teaches us to be brave and to keep loving God, even on days when it feels hard. We can ask Saint George to pray for us, so that we can have brave and happy hearts like his.

Be brave and keep loving God, even when it is hard.