Sene 8 — June 15

The Church of Saint Mary and the Special Spring

Today we remember a happy day for a beautiful church built for our Lady Mary, the holy mother of Jesus. This church has a special name. People call it "the Bath," because right beside it bubbles a spring of fresh water that Jesus Himself made rise up from the ground.

Here is how it happened. When Jesus was a tiny child, a kind angel came to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Egypt." So Joseph rose up and took Mary and the baby Jesus, and they traveled all the way to Egypt to keep the Child safe.

They stayed in Egypt for about three years. When it was safe again, the angel told Joseph it was time to go home. On their long journey back, the little family came to a town, and there the Lord Jesus made a fountain of fresh water rise up out of the ground, flowing all by itself from deep below.

That very same spring is still flowing today. People come from many lands, near and far, to visit it. They pray and ask Mary to pray for them too, and they thank God for the cool, clean water. So today we celebrate the day this lovely church was blessed and opened for everyone.

Arise, take the Child and His mother, and depart to the land of Egypt.— the angel to Joseph

The Brave Friends Who Loved God

Today we also remember a great many people, more than a thousand of them, who loved God so much that they stayed faithful no matter what. Even when unkind people tried to make them stop believing, they would not give up loving Jesus.

We call them martyrs, because they would rather give up their lives than turn away from God. They were not afraid. They knew God was holding them close, and that they were going home to live with Him forever. We thank God for their brave hearts.

The Feast of Abba 'Atkaron and Eulogius

On this day the Church also keeps a joyful feast for two holy men named Abba 'Atkaron and Eulogius. A feast is a special day of gladness, when we stop to remember someone who loved God.

These two friends gave their whole lives to praying and serving God. We do not know every story about them, but the Church remembers them with thanks. When we keep their feast, we ask God to help us love Him as faithfully as they did.

Tamada and Her Children

Today we remember a loving mother named Tamada and her children. Tamada taught her sons to love God with all their hearts, and they did. Together, this whole family stayed faithful to Jesus and trusted Him completely.

It is a beautiful thing when a mother and her children love God together. We say a happy greeting to Tamada and her sons, and we ask them to pray for our families too, that we may love God side by side, just as they did.

Herminius and His Mother

Last of all, we remember a faithful young man named Herminius (you can say it HER-mee-nee-us) and his good mother. Like Tamada's family, this mother and her son loved God together and held on to their faith bravely.

Their story reminds us that we never have to be brave all alone. God gives us families and friends to help us, and He is always close beside us. We send a glad greeting to Herminius and his mother, and we thank God for everyone today who loved Him so faithfully.

Salutation to Tamada and her sons, and to Herminius and his mother.