Sene 3 — June 10

Saint Martha, Who Started a New Life

Long ago there lived a woman named Martha. She grew up in a big city called Cairo, in the land of Egypt. Her family was very rich, but for a long time Martha made many wrong choices and lived in a way that did not please God.

One day, on the happy feast of the birth of our Lord Jesus, Martha wanted to go inside the church. A church helper gently told her she was not ready yet, because of the way she had been living. When the bishop, a kind church leader who watches over many churches, heard them, he came to the door.

Right there, Martha's heart changed. She told the bishop, "From now on I will not go back to my old ways. If you will receive me, I want to say sorry to God and become a nun." A nun gives her whole life to praying and serving God.

Martha gave away all her money and jewels, even though they were worth a great deal. She wanted nothing to come between her and God. Then she went to live in a quiet home for holy women, where she prayed every single day.

Martha prayed there for twenty-five years and never gave up. She asked God to help her be humble and kind. With God's help she grew strong and gentle, and at last she died in peace, safe in God's love. Her story reminds us that it is never too late to turn to God, who always welcomes us home.

From now on I will not go back to my old ways. If you will receive me, I want to say sorry to God.— Saint Martha

Karyon and Brave Bishop Hilarion

On this day we also remember two faithful friends of God: Karyon (who is also called Gorion) and Hilarion, a bishop. Hilarion loved God with all his heart and was never afraid to tell the truth.

In those days there was an emperor named Julian who did not believe in God. Instead he bowed down to idols, which are statues some people prayed to instead of the one true God. Brave Hilarion told the emperor that this was wrong and that only God should be worshipped.

The emperor was angry, and he had Hilarion treated very harshly for a long time. But Hilarion was not afraid, because God was with him. When wicked men put him near a fire, God kept him safe and unhurt. He stood up and sang praises to God, and he came out as fresh as someone walking out of a beautiful garden!

Many people who watched the fire leave him unhurt began to believe in Jesus too. Hilarion and Karyon stayed faithful to God to the very end of their lives. They gave up everything for Him, and so we call them martyrs. They were not afraid, for they knew they were going home to heaven, where God was waiting to welcome them with joy.

He stood up in the fire and praised God, and he came out as fresh as someone walking out of a beautiful garden.