Sene 1 — June 08

Saint Laventius and the Kind Woman

Today we remember a brave saint named Laventius (say it like "la-VEN-tee-us"). He loved Jesus so much that he stayed faithful to God even when it cost him his life. We call someone like that a martyr.

A kind Christian woman wanted to honor Saint Laventius. She gently wrapped his body in beautiful gold cloth, kept it safe in her home, and lit a little lamp beside it. She even had a picture of him painted, so she could remember him and pray.

But the woman was sad, because her husband, who was a judge, had been locked away in prison by a cruel ruler. Saint Laventius did not forget her kindness. One night a bright light filled the prison, and the saint appeared, shining and dressed in that same gold cloth. He told the judge, "Do not be sad. Tomorrow you will go free and go home." And the very next day, it happened just as he said! The judge was set free and sent home with great honor.

When the judge got home, his wife took him to the picture of Saint Laventius. "That is the very one who helped me!" he said. Then they both thanked God together. Later, the people built a church for the saint, and today is the happy day that church was blessed. God did many kind and healing things there.

Do not be sad. Tomorrow you will go free and go home.— Saint Laventius to the judge

Joseph the Just and Asnet His Wife

We also remember Joseph, the son of Jacob (who is also called Israel). People called him Joseph the Just, because he was so good and fair.

When Joseph was young, his brothers were unkind to him, but Joseph forgave them and never stopped trusting God. God took care of Joseph and made him a great leader in Egypt, where he saved many people from hunger. We also remember his wife, whose name was Asnet (say it like "AS-net"). Joseph teaches us to forgive others and to keep trusting God, even when things are hard.

Thomas, Archbishop of Alexandria

We also remember a holy church father named Thomas. He was an archbishop (a leader who takes care of many churches) in the great city of Alexandria in Egypt.

Thomas loved God with his whole heart and stayed faithful to Him to the very end. He cared for God's people and helped them grow closer to Jesus.

Saint Cosmas and His Friends

Today we remember Saint Cosmas (say it like "KOZ-mas"), who lived in a town called Taha in Upper Egypt. He had faithful friends, called companions, who loved God right alongside him.

Cosmas and his friends stayed brave and true to Jesus no matter what, and they trusted that God would always be with them. We thank God for friends who help us love Him more.

Saint Bifamon, the Brave Fighter for God

We also remember Saint Bifamon (say it like "bif-AH-mon"). The old book says he "fought a strenuous spiritual fight." That does not mean a fight with swords! It means he worked very hard to be good, to pray, and to keep loving God, even when it was difficult.

Saint Bifamon never gave up on God. On this same day, long ago, the very first church built in his name was blessed and opened. It became a special place where people could come to pray and to thank God for His faithful saint.

He fought a strenuous spiritual fight.