Nehase 17 — August 23

Entawos, Who Met God in a Church

Long ago there was a man named Entawos (say: en-TAH-wos). At first he did not know about Jesus, and he only cared about getting more and more money. One day he came to a city called Damascus, and he was unkind to a beautiful church there, a church named after Saint Theodore.

But God showed Entawos how strong and real He is. Right there in the church, Entawos saw bright lights come down from heaven like shining arrows. One of them touched his eye, and it hurt. Now he was sorry for what he had done. He cried out from his heart that he believed in Jesus, the Son of the living God.

Then a kind bishop named Elias got ready to welcome him into God's family with holy water. When the bishop prayed, a beautiful pillar of light came down, shining like a rainbow, and everyone saw it! That day Entawos and a great crowd of people, almost seventeen hundred of them, were baptized and became friends of Jesus.

Entawos even saw a kind, shining Lady in a dream who took him by the hand and led him close to God. He stayed faithful to Jesus for the rest of his life, and now he rests in peace with God forever.

I believe in Thee, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.— Entawos

Akrates, the Faithful Brother

We also remember Akrates (say: AH-kra-tes), the brother of Entawos. He loved God too, and he stayed faithful to Jesus all the way to the end of his life. We say a happy hello to Akrates and thank God for him.

Saint James, Who Learned About God as a Boy

Saint James came from a small town in Egypt. His mother and father loved God very much. Before James was born, they had three daughters, and those big sisters grew up to love God so much that they spent their whole lives praying to Him.

When James was just six years old, his parents sent him to school, and he learned quickly and well. He also learned to pray from a wise old shepherd who worked for his family. The old shepherd loved God deeply, and James copied his good and gentle ways.

When James grew up, he wanted to stay faithful to Jesus no matter what. The kind old shepherd went along to help and to cheer him on. The shepherd told James not to be sad about leaving home, because following God is worth more than anything in the whole world. Both of them were brave, and both stayed true to Jesus right to the end.

James trusted Jesus so much that God watched over him again and again. More than once, when James was in danger, an angel came and kept him safe. Even when he was put in a sack and dropped into a river, God's angel lifted him out, whole and unharmed! God took good care of James, just as He takes care of us.

Two other faithful friends, Abraham and John, stayed close to James and loved God along with him. All of them are now happy with God in heaven. We say a happy hello to James, who loved learning about God from the time he was little, and to the wise old shepherd who followed God's way.

O my son, be not sorrowful, for following God is worth more than all the world.— the old shepherd to James