Miyazya 27 — May 05

Saint Victor, the Brave Young Soldier

Today we remember Saint Victor. His father, named Romanus, was a great army captain, but he prayed to idols, statues that people wrongly treat as if they were God. His mother, named Martha, loved God with all her heart, and from her Victor learned to love Jesus too.

Victor grew up living right beside the emperor in the royal palace, and everyone gave him honor. But Victor did not care about riches or fancy things. Instead, he prayed every day, he fasted (that means he gave up some food to grow closer to God), and he visited people who were in prison. He shared what he had with people who were poor, hungry, or lonely. He had a kind and gentle heart.

Victor was brave for God, even when it was hard. He would not bow to the idols, no matter who told him to. When the emperor was angry, Victor was not afraid, because he knew God was with him. Before he left home, he hugged his mother and gave her one special job to do.

Take care of the poor, the widows, and the orphans. Visit them, and give them whatever they need.— what Victor asked his mother to do

Strong Because God Was With Him

Some powerful men did not like that Victor kept teaching about Jesus, and they hurt him to try to make him stop. But Victor would not stop loving God, not even a little. Again and again, God sent His angel to heal Victor and to make him strong, so he could keep being brave.

One day God's angel even lifted Victor's soul up to heaven for a short visit! Victor saw the bright home of light where the angels live. Then his soul came back, and he was filled with hope, because now he knew for certain how beautiful heaven really is.

While Victor was being treated unkindly, a young girl who was about fifteen years old watched from her window. She saw angels coming down from heaven holding shining crowns, and they placed a crown upon Victor's head! The girl ran and told everyone what she had seen. Many people heard her and began to believe in Jesus. The girl believed too, and she was very brave for God.

In the end, Victor went home to God as a martyr, staying faithful even when it cost him his life. He was not afraid, because he knew the angels were waiting with his crown. Later his mother, Martha, came and built a beautiful church in his honor, and there God healed many sick people who came to pray. What a brave and loving friend of God Victor was!

The girl saw angels coming down from heaven, holding shining crowns to place upon Victor's head.