Nehase 10 — August 16

Saint Matra and the Golden Arm

Long ago there lived a brave man named Matra. In his land, a mean ruler made a rule that everyone had to bow down to statues called idols, instead of worshipping the one true God. These idols were only statues. They could not see or hear or help anyone at all.

Matra loved God and would not obey that rule. One of the idols had an arm made of gold. Matra took the golden arm, broke it into little pieces, and gave it all to people who were poor and hungry. He wanted the gold to help real people, not to sit on a statue.

The leaders looked everywhere for the arm and could not find it. They began blaming other people. So Matra bravely stepped forward and told the truth. He said the gold had gone to the poor. The ruler was angry and hurt him, but God was watching over Matra the whole time.

When the ruler tried to harm him, God kept Matra safe and well, again and again. An angel came down from heaven, touched him gently, and healed him. A blind man came near, and after touching Matra he could suddenly see! Everyone was amazed at how great God is.

In the end Matra gave his whole life for God, the way the bravest friends of Jesus did. We call such a person a martyr, because he stayed faithful to God even when it was very hard. Matra was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God. Afterward, many sick people were made well near him, and they all thanked God.

I am the one who took the golden arm, and I gave it to the poor.— Saint Matra

Saint Christopher and the Two Kind Women

We also remember Saint Christopher. He was a strong man with an even stronger love for Jesus. A powerful ruler told him to bow to statues, but Christopher would not. He said so right out loud, without any fear.

The ruler tried hard to make Christopher change his mind, but he stayed faithful. Then the ruler sent two women to talk him out of loving God. It went the other way around. Christopher taught the two women about Jesus, and they came to love God too! They went back and said boldly, "We believe in Christ, the God of Saint Christopher."

The ruler tried to scare Christopher with fire, but the fire would not touch him. He made Christopher stand on hot iron, but it did not hurt him at all. God kept him safe in front of everybody. When the people saw how God protected him, crowd after crowd began to believe in Jesus too. Even forty little children chose to love God.

At last Christopher gave his whole life for the Lord, like the bravest of God's friends. Before that moment, he quietly prayed and made the sign of the Cross on his face, peaceful and unafraid. So many people came to know Jesus because one man would not stop being faithful.

I worship my Lord Jesus Christ, and to Him alone I give my whole heart.— Saint Christopher

Saint Bikabos and Saint John

Last of all, we remember Saint Bikabos and Saint John, along with their friends. Bikabos was a soldier who loved Jesus quietly in his heart. He kept his faith a secret because the ruler did not allow it. But someone told the ruler about Bikabos and his Christian friends, including a kind bishop who watched over many churches.

When the ruler asked them, "Are you Christians?", they did not hide anymore. They answered bravely and together, "Yes, we believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God." That took real courage.

The ruler tried again and again to make Bikabos give up, but God gave him strength to stay strong, and kept lifting him up safe and well. After that, Bikabos was put on a ship and taken far away to a city called Baramun. For sixteen whole days he ate no bread and drank no water, yet God held him close the whole way.

In the end Bikabos and John gave their lives for the Lord, faithful right to the very last. A kind, wealthy man wrapped Bikabos in beautiful cloths with great care and carried him home. Later the people built a lovely church for him, and there sick people were healed and prayers were answered, so everyone gave thanks to God. Many, many others were also brave for Jesus on this day, and they are all remembered with love.

Yes, we believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.— Saint Bikabos and his friends