Nehase 16 — August 22

Filseta — Our Lady Mary Goes Home to Heaven

Today is one of the happiest feasts of the whole year! It is called Filseta. That word means the day God lovingly carried our Lady Mary home to heaven, to live forever with her Son, Jesus.

Mary is the mother of Jesus. We call her the God-bearer, because she carried baby Jesus and loved Him with all her heart. When her life here on earth was finished, God did not leave her behind. He gently took her up to be with Him in His beautiful kingdom.

One of Jesus' closest helpers was named John. God let John see a beautiful sight: Jesus on His shining throne, calling for His mother. Then Jesus spoke the kindest words to Mary.

When Mary came to heaven, all the trees in God's lovely garden bowed their heads, and the angels and archangels welcomed her with singing. Mary sat at the right hand of her Son, dressed in beautiful gold, like a queen. King David, who wrote many songs to God long ago, had even sung about this happy day.

Later, Jesus brought all His helpers up to heaven too, so they could see Mary safe and glad. She reached out her hands and blessed each one of them, and their hearts were filled with joy. Jesus asked them to tell the whole world to remember this day every year. We still do, and we ask Mary to keep praying for us with her loving Son.

Come to Me, O My beloved mother, that you may go up to the kingdom of heaven, to the joy that lasts forever.— the words of Jesus to Mary

And the Queen shall stand at Your right hand.— Psalm 45:9

Saint George the Brave

On this same day, we also remember Saint George. He is called the chief of the martyrs, because he stayed faithful to God even when it cost him everything. Saint George loved God so much, and he was very brave.

On this day, his holy body was carried with great honor to a town called Lydda, where a beautiful church was built for him. This happened at the very same time that Mary was taken home to heaven.

Because people love Mary and love George, they often paint a picture of George right beside a picture of Mary. It reminds everyone to pray and to trust God, who keeps His friends safe.

Gegar, the Kind Helper

We also remember a good man named Gegar (say it: GEH-gar). He was a leader in a land called Syria. Long ago, when Jesus was a little child, His mother Mary was keeping Him safe in the mountains, because a wicked king named Herod was looking for them.

When Gegar heard about this, he wanted to help. He sent riders to bring Mary and baby Jesus safely away from the mountains. Gegar was kind and faithful, and he stayed strong in his love for God even when bad people tried to stop him.

Jesus came to Gegar and made him a promise: anyone who remembers Gegar and tells his brave story will be blessed. Gegar stayed faithful to God to the very end, and in heaven he was crowned with three shining crowns. What a brave and loving friend of God he was!