Miyazya 2 — April 10

Saint Christopher, the Brave Helper

Today we remember Saint Christopher, a strong and brave man who learned to love Jesus. He came from a faraway land where the people did not yet know God. One of Jesus' closest helpers, Saint Matthew the apostle, told Christopher's father the good news of Jesus. His father believed, and soon Christopher believed too.

When Christopher first met some of God's people, he could not understand their words. So he prayed to God, and God helped him speak their language! Now he could talk with them and tell everyone how good God is.

Christopher was kind and full of faith. One time he was holding his wooden walking stick, and when he prayed, God made it grow green leaves and flowers, just like a living tree! Another day the soldiers traveling with him were hungry and had no bread. Christopher prayed, and all at once there was plenty of bread for everyone. The soldiers had never seen anything like it. Many of them came to love Jesus and were baptized.

A ruler named Decius did not want Christopher to keep teaching about Jesus, and he tried hard to make him stop. But Christopher would not stop loving God. He stood tall and spoke the truth with a brave heart. God watched over him and kept him safe again and again. In the end Christopher gave his life rather than turn away from God, staying faithful all the way. He was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to live with God forever.

Many other good people who met Christopher decided to follow Jesus too, because his faith was so bright and beautiful.

He prayed, and God made his wooden staff grow green leaves and flowers, like a living tree.

Salutation to Christopher who believed through the teaching of Matthew.— the Synaxarium

Mahalaleel, Who Lived Long Ago

Today we also remember Mahalaleel (you can say it like "ma-HA-la-leel"). He lived a very, very long time ago, near the beginning of the world, in the days written about in the Bible. He was the son of a man named Cainan.

In those early times, people lived for hundreds of years. Mahalaleel grew up, and when he was older God gave him a son named Jared. So Mahalaleel became a father, and his family kept growing, just as God promised.

When his long life was finished, Mahalaleel went to rest with God on the second day of the month of Miyazya. His people lovingly laid him to rest in a special place called the Cave of Treasures, where the holy fathers of long ago were kept safe.

Mahalaleel reminds us that God has been caring for His people from the very, very beginning. Every family in the Bible is part of God's big, loving story, and we are part of it too.