Pagumen 3 — September 08

Raphael the Archangel and the Church on the Whale

Today is a happy feast for the glorious angel Raphael (say it RAF-ay-el). He is one of God's great archangels, the most important angels who stand before God in heaven. Raphael's name means 'God heals.' He loves to turn sad hearts glad and to be gentle with people.

Long ago, a kind church leader named Abba Theophilus (say it thee-OFF-il-us) built a church on a little island near the city of Alexandria, and he named it for Raphael the archangel. One day, while everyone was praying inside, the whole church began to shake and move! Can you guess why? The church had been built on the back of a giant whale that lay hidden under a great heap of sand. Now the whale began to stir, and the people were afraid the church would slide into the sea.

So the people and their bishop did the very best thing. They prayed. They asked God for help, and they asked the kind angel Raphael to pray for them too. And God heard them! He sent Raphael, who gently told the whale to be still. The whale grew calm and stayed right where it was. The church stood safe, and there God made sick people well again. Everyone thanked God for His care.

By the commandment of God, stand still, and move not from your place.— Raphael to the whale

Why We Love Raphael

In an old, old book, Jesus' closest friends once asked Him to tell them about the angel Raphael. Then the great archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael came down from heaven with great joy and bowed before the Lord.

Raphael told them how much he loves people. He is kind and gentle, and he never runs to God to tell on us when we do wrong. Instead, he waits patiently and helps people say sorry and turn back to God. He helps and protects everyone who asks him.

Raphael also made a beautiful promise. Anyone who is kind to a person in trouble, or who remembers the poor, or who celebrates his feast day, he will carry safely all the way to the heavenly city. So today we ask this gentle angel to pray for us and keep us close to God.

I make hearts to rejoice, and I am good and merciful to sinners, and I love people.— Raphael the archangel

Melchisedek, the Priest of God

Today we also remember a holy man named Melchisedek (say it mel-KIZ-eh-dek). He lived a very, very long time ago, near the beginning of the world. God chose him to be a priest, someone who prays for people and brings their gifts to God.

Melchisedek did not have a big house or fancy clothes. He wore plain clothing and lived quietly, serving God. God's angels even brought him food from heaven! He gave God a gift of bread and wine, a special sign that pointed ahead to Jesus, who would one day give Himself for us.

One day a good man named Abraham came home after a hard journey. Melchisedek met him with bread and wine and blessed him, and Abraham gave thanks to God. Melchisedek was both a priest and the king of a place called Salem, and he gave his whole life to God. We thank God for his good and faithful heart.

Serapion, Who Gave Himself to Help Others

Serapion (say it ser-AP-ee-on) was a wise man from Egypt who knew the Bible very well and loved God dearly. He decided he did not need riches or fancy things, so he gave them all away to follow God.

Then Serapion did something brave and surprising. He traveled to faraway people who did not yet know about Jesus. To get close to them and share God's love, he gave up his own freedom to live and work among them. He ate only bread and water, and he prayed and prayed. Little by little, the people listened, and they came to love Jesus too! Then Serapion told them his secret. He was really a free man from Egypt who had done all this out of love for them. He even gave his money away to help the poor.

Serapion did this again in another city, helping even more people come to know God. At last he went to the city of Rome, where he kept praying and serving until he died in peace. From Serapion we learn to love others enough to help them, even when it is hard.

King Zara Ya'akob, Who Loved the Faith

Last of all, we remember a good king named Zara Ya'akob (say it ZAH-ra YAH-koab). He ruled in Ethiopia long ago, and he loved God and the Church very much.

A good king takes care of his people. King Zara Ya'akob made wise rules to help everyone in his kingdom live kindly and well. He taught people about Jesus and worked to keep the faith strong. After a life of serving God and his people, he died in peace.

People remember him as a preacher of the Gospel, which means he helped everyone hear the happy news about Jesus. We thank God for kings and leaders who use what they have to do good and to share God's love.