Miyazya 7 — April 15

Joachim, the Father of Saint Mary

Today we remember a good and gentle man named Joachim. (You can say his name like JOH-uh-kim.) He was the father of our Lady, Saint Mary, the mother of Jesus. That means Joachim was the grandfather of Jesus! Some people also called him Yonakir or Zadok.

Joachim came from a very special family. He was part of the family of King David, a great king from long ago whom God loved. God had promised King David that someone from his family would be a king forever, and that King is Jesus.

Joachim was married to a kind woman named Hannah. For a long, long time, they were sad, because they had no children, and they wanted a baby very much. But they did not give up. Every day and every night, they prayed and asked God to bless them with a child. They trusted God and kept on praying.

And God heard them! God gave Joachim and Hannah a baby girl. That baby was Mary, who would one day become the mother of Jesus. Their sadness turned into great joy. Joachim's heart was so happy that he brought a thank-you gift to God's house.

When Mary was still very little, Joachim and Hannah kept a promise they had made to God. They brought their dear daughter to live near God's holy temple, so she could grow up close to Him. A little while later, Joachim died peacefully, knowing he had done what God asked. We say a loving salutation to Joachim.

Every day and every night, Joachim and Hannah prayed and asked God for a child — and God heard them.

Agabos and Theodora, Faithful Friends of God

We also remember two brave friends of God named Agabos (AG-uh-bos) and Theodora (Thee-oh-DOR-uh). They are called martyrs, because they kept loving God and stayed true to Him even when it was very hard.

Agabos and Theodora loved Jesus with all their hearts, and they would not stop trusting Him no matter what. They were not afraid, because they knew that God was always with them and that He would bring them safely home to heaven. We thank God for their courage, and we ask them to pray for us. Salutation to Agabos and Theodora.

Abba Metruf, the Monk

Last of all today, we remember a holy man named Abba Metruf (MEH-troof). The word "Abba" means "father," and it is a kind name we give to monks, holy men who live a quiet life of prayer and spend much of their time talking to God.

Abba Metruf was the son of another holy man, Abba Muse, who lived at a peaceful place of prayer called Dabra Lebyon. Abba Metruf grew up loving God and gave his whole life to serving Him. We give a happy salutation to Metruf, and we thank God for all His good and faithful saints.