Sene 2 — June 09

The Bodies of Saint John the Baptist and Elisha the Prophet Are Found

Today we remember a happy day in the city of Alexandria, when the bodies of two great holy men were found and honored. One was Saint John the Baptist, the brave friend who told everyone that Jesus was coming. The other was Elisha, a prophet, which means someone who speaks God's words to people. Elisha had been the helper of Elijah, another famous prophet who loved God with all his heart.

Long ago, a ruler named Julian did not believe in God. He wanted to undo something Jesus had said in the Bible: that an old temple in Jerusalem would be taken down stone by stone. Julian tried again and again to build it back up, but every time, it would not stand. Jesus' words always come true.

Some people told Julian that holy bodies were resting in that place, and they tried to harm them. But kind believers stepped in and gently carried the holy bodies away to keep them safe. When they looked closely, they could hardly believe it: these were the bodies of Saint John the Baptist and Elisha the prophet! Carefully and with great love, the believers brought them all the way to the city of Alexandria.

There shall not be left here one stone upon another which shall not be overthrown.— Matthew 24:2

A Church Is Built and a Tired Mother Is Helped

In Alexandria lived a holy church father named Abba Athanasius. (Abba is a kind way to say "father.") When the two holy bodies came to him, he was filled with great joy. One day, sitting in a garden with his helper Theophilus, he made a promise: if God gave him good days, he would build a beautiful church and lay the saints inside it. And that is just what he did!

When the church was ready, Abba Athanasius gathered the priests and all the people. Singing songs to God, they carried the holy bodies through the streets with great honor.

As they passed by, they came to a house where a mother had been hurting for many days, waiting for her baby to be born. She was so tired and weak. When she heard the priests singing, she looked out her window and asked what was happening. "It is the bodies of the saints, John the Baptist and Elisha the prophet," they told her. Right away she believed, and she prayed for help. Before she even finished her prayer, her baby boy was born, safe and well! She was so thankful that she named him John, and soon she and her whole household were baptized as Christians. God had answered her prayer.

Abba Athanasius laid the holy bodies in the new church, and God blessed the people who came there. Later, another holy man named Abba Macarius was laid to rest beside them too. We send our greeting to the day the bodies of Saint John the Baptist and Elisha the prophet appeared in Alexandria.

O John, saint of God, if you will help me, I will believe.— the mother's prayer

Saint Cyril (Kerlos)

We also remember Saint Cyril, whose name is sometimes spelled Kerlos. He was a faithful teacher who loved God and helped God's people understand the truth about Jesus. We thank God for teachers like Cyril, who help us know how much God loves us.

Saint 'Akeltus

We also remember Saint 'Akeltus. He stayed faithful to God all the way to the end of his life, even when staying faithful was very hard, and so we honor him as a martyr. He was not afraid, because he trusted that God was taking him home to heaven.

Caustus the Monk (Questus)

Last, we remember Caustus, who is also called Questus. He was a monk, living a quiet life close to God. He spent his days praying and serving God, and we ask him to pray for us too.