Nehase 2 — August 08

Saint Athanasia, Who Came Home to God

Athanasia (say it: ath-a-NAY-zha) lived in a city called Manuf. Her family was rich, but when her parents died, she made a very kind choice. She turned her big house into a warm place where tired visitors and monks, who spend their lives quietly praying, could stay. She gave each guest whatever they needed, until at last all her money was gone.

Then some unkind people led Athanasia away from the good path, and she began to do wrong things. The wise old monks of the desert who had once stayed in her home were very sad to hear this. They wanted to help her, so they asked a gentle holy man named Abba John the Short to go and remind her how much God loved her.

When Abba John came to her, he sang softly, "Even if I walk through the shadows, I will not be afraid, for You are with me." He looked at her kindly and asked, "Why have you turned away from the good things you used to do?" His words touched her heart, and she began to cry. "Should I turn back to God?" she asked. "Yes," he said gently. So she followed him out to the quiet desert to pray and start again.

That very night, while Abba John was praying, he saw a shining pillar of light reaching all the way from the earth up to heaven, and angels carrying Athanasia's soul home to God. She had died in peace. A voice told him that God had welcomed her gladly, because she came back to Him with her whole heart. It is never too late to say sorry and come home to Him.

Even if I walk through the shadows, I will not be afraid, for You are with me.— Psalm 23

Saint Demiana and Her Brother

We also remember Saint Demiana (say it: de-mee-AH-na) and her brother today. We honor them and ask them to pray for us. Like all the saints, they loved God very much and stayed faithful to Him. We thank God for good friends and family who help us follow Him.

Saint Eupraxia, Who Loved God from When She Was Little

Eupraxia (say it: yoo-PRAK-see-a) was born into a royal family. Her father helped the king, and her mother was also named Eupraxia. When little Eupraxia was only six years old, her mother took her to live in a home where holy women called virgins prayed together.

Eupraxia asked the women, "Why do you live this way?" They said, "For the love of Christ." "Where is Christ?" she asked. They showed her a beautiful picture of Jesus, and she bowed low and kissed it. From that day she wanted to give her whole life to God, and she stayed there to pray and to serve.

Eupraxia was a hard worker who never said no. She tended the fire, baked the bread, and carried the water, always with a happy heart. God gave her a special gift: when she prayed for people who were sick, they got well, and people who could not walk or see were made better. She also had a dear friend named Iyalya who taught her to read and write, and the two loved each other very much.

When the time came, a kind dream showed that God was getting ready to welcome Eupraxia to His home in heaven, full of never-ending joy. She blessed all her friends, and then she went peacefully to be with God. We can be like Eupraxia by loving God with all our hearts, even while we are still young.

Why do you live this way? For the love of Christ.