Miyazya 9 — April 17

Abba Zozimas, the Praying Monk

Long ago in a land called Palestine, a boy named Zozimas (say it: zoh-ZEE-mas) was born to a good family who loved God. When he was little, they sent him to live with a kind old monk, a man who had given his days to quiet prayer. The old monk taught Zozimas to read, to pray, and to love the Bible.

Zozimas grew up praising God all day long. When he worked with his hands, he thanked God. When he sat down to supper, he thanked God. He lived in a monastery, a peaceful home where people pray together, and he stayed there praying for many, many years.

One day a proud thought crept into his heart. He started to think he was the very best monk of all. But God loved him too much to let him stay that way. God sent an angel to lead him to a new monastery near the River Jordan. There he met holy old monks who prayed even more than he did, and Zozimas saw that he still had so much to learn. That made him humble, and it made him happy again.

Out in the quiet desert, Zozimas met a woman named Mary who had spent years and years praying to God all alone. He listened to her whole story, and later he brought her Holy Communion. Zozimas lived to be very old. He wrote down the holy lives of the people he met, so everyone could learn from them. When he was ninety-eight years old, he died in peace, close to God.

Whether he was working or eating, he never stopped praising God at any time.

Isidore and His Brave Friends

We also remember a good man named Isidore (say it: IZ-i-dor) and the friends who loved God beside him. With them was a tiny baby, only ten months old, along with the baby's mother and father.

These faithful people stayed true to God no matter what happened, even when staying true cost them their lives. They were not afraid, because they trusted that God was holding them safe and carrying them home to live with Him forever. We thank God for their brave, loving hearts.

Abba Sinuthius and the Sign of the Cross

Abba Sinuthius (say it: si-NOO-thee-us), also called Shenuti, was an archbishop in the great city of Alexandria. That meant he watched over many churches and the people in them. One year he went up into the desert to pray and to keep the Great Fast with the monks at the monastery of Saint Macarius.

While the monks were praying, some men with swords came near the monastery and frightened everyone. The bishops and monks ran to Abba Sinuthius. They wanted to leave the desert quickly, before the danger came closer. But the holy father stayed calm. He said he would not leave until the joyful feast of Easter was over.

While the others trembled, Abba Sinuthius picked up his special staff, the one with the holy Cross on top. Trusting God, he walked out toward the men all by himself. And do you know what happened? The moment they saw him holding up the Cross, the men turned right around and hurried away, as if a whole army were chasing them. From that day on, they never bothered the gentle monks again.

God kept everyone safe through one humble saint and the sign of the Cross. When Easter came, the monks celebrated with happy, thankful hearts.

It is better for me to stay with the people of God.— Abba Sinuthius