Sene 17 — June 24

Saint Abba Latsun, Who Prayed for a Friend

Long ago, in a city called Behensa, there lived a young man named Abba Latsun (say it: LAT-soon). One day he heard words from the Holy Gospel about loving God more than anything else. His heart felt warm, like a little fire of love for God.

So Abba Latsun went to live in a monastery, a quiet home where people pray together. There he prayed and prayed, and he learned to love God even more. An angel told him to go to a holy teacher named Abba Isidore, who welcomed him and helped him become a monk, giving his whole life over to quiet prayer.

Later, Abba Latsun went to live by himself, praying every day. Nearby there was another monastery, and its leader was very sick and about to die. The poor man was sad and afraid, because he had done many wrong things in his life and had never said sorry. With his last breath, he begged, "Please remember me in your prayers."

Abba Latsun loved his friend so much that he prayed for him with all his might, asking God to be kind to him. He remembered Jesus' words about how much we should love one another. God's helper, the archangel Michael, came to comfort Abba Latsun. And in the end our Lord Jesus Christ Himself came down and spoke gently to him, glad to see such a loving heart.

Jesus made a beautiful promise to Abba Latsun and to everyone who remembers him. Then Abba Latsun went back to his quiet cave, kept on praying for many days, and at last fell asleep in peace. Salutation to Abba Latsun!

He who wishes to save his life will find everlasting life with God.— Matthew 16:25 (told simply)

There is no greater love than this, that someone gives his life for his friend.— John 15:13

Saint Abba Palamon, the Gentle Pilgrim

We also remember Abba Palamon (say it: PAL-a-mon). He was a pilgrim, which means someone who travels far for God. He gave his whole life to prayer and lived quietly in a monastery.

Abba Palamon worked so hard to be good that an evil spirit grew tired of bothering him. An evil spirit is something bad that tries to pull people away from God. One day, while Abba Palamon was traveling to sell things he had made with his hands, the evil spirit tried to trick him and make him lose his way.

But God loves His friends and would never leave them in trouble. He chased the evil spirit far away. Then Abba Palamon cried out, "O my Lord Jesus Christ, help me!" Right away a kind voice told him not to be afraid and showed him the way to the holy old monk Abba Latsun, who would pray for him.

So Abba Palamon found Abba Latsun, who hugged him warmly. Together they prayed for three days. Then a gentle voice from God said, "Do not be afraid, my faithful servants. The Enemy will never win against you." God forgave Abba Palamon and made everything right again. He went home praising God, and later he died in peace, safe with the Lord he loved. Salutation to Abba Palamon!

Do not be afraid, my faithful servants. The Enemy will never win against you.— a voice from God

Saint Abba Garima, the Prince Who Chose God

We also remember the blessed Saint Abba Garima (say it: ga-REE-ma). His first name was Isaac, and he was a prince. His father was a great king, and his mother had prayed to God, with the help of the holy Lady Mary, to give her a baby. God answered, and Isaac was born.

When Isaac grew up, he learned all the books of the Church and became a deacon, who is a helper in church. The people even made him their king, and he ruled fairly and kindly for seven years.

But a holy man named Abba Pantaleon invited Isaac to come and serve Jesus instead, and Isaac said yes. That very night he left his palace. The angel Gabriel lifted him on a shining wing and carried him to Abba Pantaleon in just a few hours, a journey that would normally take many, many months. Isaac became a monk and was given the name Garima.

God gave Abba Garima the gift of doing things no one else could. He once planted wheat in the morning and harvested a full crop of grain by evening. He planted a tiny vine shoot on a rock, and it grew leaves and fruit right away. Once, when he was writing a letter, he asked the sun to wait a little, and the sun stayed in the sky until he finished. God healed sick people through him too.

After a life full of good works, our Lord appeared to Abba Garima and made him a beautiful promise. Then a shining cloud lifted him up to heaven. Salutation to Abba Garima!

Come and seek the kingdom of my Lord Jesus Christ.— Abba Pantaleon

The Saints of 'Akuoren and Their Friends

On this day we also remember a whole group of brave and holy people who loved God. They are the saints of 'Akuoren (say it: ah-KOO-or-en), and with them Abba Palaomn, Bartholomew, Alexandra, Alexander, Joseph, and 'Arsema.

These dear saints stayed faithful to God all their lives, no matter what. We are glad to remember their names today and to ask them to pray for us. They show us that God has friends everywhere, and that staying close to Him is the most beautiful thing of all.