Sene 4 — June 11

Saint Sanusi and Saint Maria

When Sanusi (say it SA-noo-see) was a boy, he took care of his father's sheep. Every day he quietly gave his own lunch to the other shepherds, and he did not eat until evening. His mother and father did not even know he was being so kind! He also visited people who were sick, and people who were lonely. He had a gentle, generous heart.

One night an angel of God came to Sanusi in a dream and told him to be brave and tell everyone how much he loved God. When he woke up, he told his mother. She loved him very much and felt sad, but she knew he wanted to be faithful to God.

Sanusi heard about a kind woman named Maria who lived in another town. Maria opened her home to people who were poor and to travelers who had nowhere to stay. She shared her food and helped everyone she could. Sanusi and Maria became friends, and together they promised to stay faithful to Jesus no matter what.

Some powerful men did not want them to follow Jesus and treated them unkindly. But Sanusi and Maria were not afraid, because they knew God was with them. They stayed faithful even when it cost them their lives, and so we call them martyrs. A man who had once done wrong things saw how brave they were, and he chose to love Jesus too. Now they are all safe and happy with God forever.

We say a loving hello to Sanusi, to Maria, and to the man who turned to God.

Rise up, and tell everyone about your God, and you will receive a crown from heaven.— the angel, to Sanusi

Saint John of Arakli

John was born to good parents named Zacharias and Elisabeth. They named him John after John the Baptist, who baptized the Lord Jesus. His mother and father taught him to read the holy books and to love God with all his heart.

John grew up to be very wise. He learned to read, to count, and to understand many things, and he became an important judge in his land. He helped people and decided what was fair.

One day a tricky voice tried to fool John, pretending to be good but really trying to lead him the wrong way. John was clever and careful. He kept watching to see what was true, and in the end he chose to stay close to God.

Later, John was asked to bow down to statues that were not the real God. He said no. He bravely told everyone, "I am a Christian," because he loved Jesus more than anything. While John was waiting in prison, the Lord visited him in a beautiful light and comforted him, and an angel of God gave him peace.

Some powerful men were unkind to John because of his faith, and he became a martyr, along with other brave Christians who also said boldly, "We are Christians." John was not afraid, for he knew he was going home to God. We say a loving hello to John, and to all the brave friends who stayed faithful with him.

How can I bow down to something made by people's hands? I will worship only the living God.— Saint John

Akronius, Dimunasia, Amoni, and Mina

Today we also remember four brave friends of God: Akronius, his sister Dimunasia, Amoni, and Mina. They were soldiers in Egypt long ago, and they loved Jesus.

Here is the part children love best. When they were in great danger near a fire, the angel Gabriel came and carried them safely away from the flames! God watched over them and kept them from harm.

These four stayed faithful to God right to the end and became martyrs. They were strong and unafraid, because they trusted that God would bring them home to heaven. There they celebrate with all of God's holy people, full of joy.

We say a loving hello to Akronius, to his sister Dimunasia, to Amoni, and to Mina.

Saint Sophia and Her Brother Ammonius

Sophia (say it so-FEE-a) had parents who loved God and taught her the holy books while she was small. She grew up to be wise and kind, and she wanted to give her whole life to God.

When Sophia's family wanted her to live a different way, she prayed and prayed. She asked God to guide her along the right path. Then she quietly set out to follow God with all her heart, traveling far to be faithful to Jesus.

Along the way she met people who also loved God, and she kept praying as she went. She was very brave, and she trusted God in everything.

Some powerful men were unkind to Sophia because she would not stop loving Jesus. But God took care of her. One night, after she was hurt, an angel of God came, touched her, and made her completely well again! In the morning she walked out strong and healthy, as if nothing had ever happened. Everyone was amazed, and Sophia said it was God who healed her.

Sophia stayed faithful to the very end and became a martyr, along with her brother Ammonius. Before she went home to God, the Lord Jesus promised something beautiful: anyone who remembers her, or gives to the poor in her name, or tells her story, He will welcome into heaven. We say a loving hello to Ammonius and to Sophia.

I know nothing about medicine, but my God is the master of all healing.— Saint Sophia

Bifamon and Azenhas

On this day we also remember two more friends of God: Bifamon and Azenhas. They stayed faithful to Jesus and are now happy with Him in heaven.

Even when we do not know all the details of their story, we know that they loved God and were brave. We say a loving hello to Bifamon and to Azenhas, and we thank God for all His saints.