Miyazya 19 — April 27

Simon, the Kind Bishop Who Loved His People

Today we remember a brave and gentle man named Simon. He came from a country called Armenia, and in a faraway land called Persia he was a bishop, the church leader who watched over God's people the way a shepherd watches over the sheep.

In those days there was a king who was not kind. He made God's people do very hard work and treated them unfairly. Simon loved his people very much, so he sent the king a letter. In the letter he said something brave: that Jesus had already set His people free, and so they belonged to God and should not be treated so harshly.

When the king read the letter, he was angry, and he put Simon in prison. But Simon did not stop trusting God. Inside that prison were many people who had been afraid and had stopped following Jesus. Simon talked with them gently and taught them about God's love. His kind words helped them be brave again, and their hearts came back to God. What had looked like a dark, sad place became a place where people found their faith.

Simon was full of courage because he knew that God was with him. One of his friends told a frightened man some comforting words, reminding him not to be afraid, because God would keep him close forever. That brave love spread from person to person, like one candle lighting many.

Simon stayed faithful to Jesus to the very end of his long life. He lived to be one hundred and twenty years old. He gave his life for God as a martyr, staying true no matter what it cost him. Simon was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God in heaven. With Simon were a hundred and fifty of his people, and they all kept their faith together and entered God's kingdom with him.

We thank God for Simon the Armenian, the kind bishop of Persia, and for all the friends who were brave beside him.

Do not be afraid; shut your eyes, and you will be with the holy ones, and you will be with our Lord Jesus Christ forever.

Salutation to Simon the Armenian, Bishop of Persia, and to the one hundred and fifty who inherited the kingdom of heaven with him.