Nehase 12 — August 18

The Feast of the Great Archangel Michael

Today is a happy feast day for the Archangel Michael! An archangel is one of the greatest angels, a special messenger God keeps close to Him in heaven. Michael is strong and kind, and God often sends him to help people who love Him.

Long, long ago there was a good leader named Constantine. One day, high above the great city of Rome, the Archangel Michael appeared to him in the sky. Michael came with good news: God would help Constantine and keep him safe. With God on his side, Constantine grew strong, and his enemies could not hurt him anymore.

After that, Constantine wanted to thank God. He took away the places where people used to bow down to statues that were not God, and in their place he built beautiful churches. He made each one as lovely as he could, so people would have happy places to pray.

That is why our Fathers, the wise teachers of the Church, told us to celebrate Michael every month with joy. We thank God for sending such a caring angel to watch over us. When we feel small or afraid, it helps to remember that God's angels are near.

We say a warm hello to Michael today, just like the old prayer does.

Salutation to thee, O Michael, angel of the covenant and counsel of God.

Constantine Becomes a Kind King

On this same day, that good leader Constantine became the king of Rome and of many lands far and wide. He was a fair and gentle king. He helped people who were being treated unkindly, and he tried hard to do what was right. People all over the world heard how good he was.

One day the people of Rome were sad and frightened. A cruel ruler named Maximianus was being unkind to them, and they did not love God the way Constantine did. So they sent Constantine a letter, asking him to come and set them free.

When Constantine read the letter, his heart ached for them, and he wondered how he could help. Then the holy Cross appeared to him! It reminded him that God was with him. With God's help, Constantine went and set the people free, and the unkind ruler could trouble them no more.

The people of Rome welcomed Constantine with great joy. They celebrated for seven whole days, thanking God and the holy Cross for saving their city. Later, a church leader named Peter baptized Constantine, washing him with holy water to show he belonged to Jesus. From then on his name is remembered with love at God's holy table.

Salutation to the day when Constantine began to reign in Rome.

Brave Basilides and His Friends

Today we also remember a brave man named Basilides (it sounds like ba-SIL-i-deez) and many, many friends who loved God with all their hearts.

They were martyrs. They would not stop loving Jesus, no matter what, and they gave everything for Him, even their lives.

We do not need to be sad for them, because they were not afraid. They knew that when their lives on earth were over, they were going home to be with God forever. Now they are happy in heaven. We can ask these brave friends to pray for us, so we can be faithful to God too.