Nehase 23 — August 29

The Faithful Christians of Alexandria and Abba Timothy

Long ago, in a big city called Alexandria, there lived many Christians who loved God very much. Two wise and gentle church leaders, Abba Cyril and Abba Dioscoros, had taught them the true faith and helped them learn about God.

Some people came who wanted to teach things about Jesus that were not true. But these faithful Christians held on tight to what was right. They believed that Jesus is fully God and fully a real person, both at the same time, and they would not change their minds.

The ruler at that time grew angry and would not listen. He blamed the Christians for something they did not do. Many of God's people stayed faithful even though it cost them their lives, and they went home to be with God. We call them martyrs, because they held on to God no matter what it cost.

The Christians chose a good leader named Abba Timothy to care for them, like a shepherd cares for his sheep. The ruler sent Abba Timothy far away to a lonely island, and he lived there for seven years, still praying and trusting God every day.

Then something happy happened! The ruler finally learned the truth: the Christians had done nothing wrong. So he brought Abba Timothy back home with great honor and gave him his rightful place again in Alexandria. Abba Timothy led God's people there for twenty-two peaceful years. God had taken care of him the whole time.

They believed that Jesus is fully God and fully a real person, both at the same time.

Saint Damianus, the Worker for Jesus

There is a brave saint to remember today as well. His name was Damianus, and he lived in a city called Antioch.

The ruler there did not love God, and he tried very hard to make Damianus stop believing in Jesus. He was unkind to Damianus and hurt him many times. But Damianus would not give up. No matter what happened, he kept loving Jesus with his whole heart.

In the end, Damianus stayed faithful right to the very last, and he became a martyr. He was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to live with God forever. The Synaxarium calls him a worker for Jesus, because he served God so faithfully and so well.

When we remember Damianus, we can ask God to make us brave too. Brave enough to do what is right, and to keep loving God even on hard days.

Salutation to Damianus the martyr, the worker for Jesus.— Synaxarium

Mary and Abraham, the Friend of God

We send a loving greeting to two more special people from the Bible.

First, we greet Mary, the daughter of Abraham. And we greet her father Abraham too. Abraham is called the Friend of God, because he trusted God so much and always did what God asked him to do.

Long ago, God promised Abraham that he would have a big family, as many as the stars in the sky. Abraham believed the promise, even when it seemed far too big to ever come true. Because he was God's good friend, God blessed him and his children.

We can be friends of God too, just like Abraham. We do it by trusting Him, talking to Him in prayer, and doing the kind and good things He asks.