Nehase 18 — August 24

Abba Alexander, the Brave Bishop of Alexandria

Today we remember a holy church father named Abba Alexander. He was the archbishop of a great city called Alexandria, the leader who took care of all the churches there. He was a good and honest man, and he loved God very much.

In his time there was a man named Arius who taught something that was not true. Arius said that Jesus the Son was not fully and truly God, the same as the Father. But the Church knew that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are One God, all equal and all holy. So the Church teachers asked Arius to stop teaching his mistake.

Arius did not like this, so he went to the emperor, the most powerful ruler in the land, to complain. The emperor called Abba Alexander and asked him to welcome Arius back into the Church. But Abba Alexander said something brave and true.

Arius then said he believed the right thing. He even wrote it down and made a big promise. But in his heart he did not mean it. He was not telling the truth. The emperor said there was now no reason to keep Arius out.

Abba Alexander asked for just one week. He went home and did not eat, and he prayed and prayed. He asked God to help Arius turn away from his mistake and tell the truth. He trusted that God would take care of His Church.

When the week was over, God showed everyone the truth in a quiet way, and Abba Alexander praised Christ, who had not left His Church alone. Even the emperor saw that Abba Alexander was holy and right, and he praised the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Abba Alexander lived a long, good life, and then God called him home to heaven.

The Church believes that the Son is equal with the Father in His Godhead.— Abba Alexander to the emperor

He praised Christ, who had not cast away His Church.

Justinus on the Mountain

We also remember a holy man named Justinus. He lived high up on the top of a mountain, in a quiet place, all alone with God.

Justinus loved God's words so much that he learned them by heart. He memorized the Psalms, which are the beautiful songs and prayers in the Bible, and the books of the Prophets, and the books written by Jesus' closest helpers, the Apostles.

Imagine knowing so many of God's words that you could say them anytime, even with your eyes closed! That is how much Justinus loved the Bible. We can love God's words too, by learning a little verse and keeping it safe in our hearts.