Tahsas 4 — December 13

Saint Andrew the Apostle

Today we remember Saint Andrew, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. The apostles were Jesus' closest helpers. Andrew was the brother of another apostle named Simon Peter. God sent Andrew far away to teach people about Jesus in a city called Leda.

Andrew had a helper named Philemon, and Philemon had the most beautiful voice you ever heard. Andrew asked him to stand on the church steps and sing words from the Bible. Philemon sang that statues of gold and silver cannot really see or hear or speak, but our God is alive and loves us. His singing was so lovely that many people opened their hearts, came into the church, and chose to follow Jesus.

One day a young boy was hurt while playing, and he died. His father was heartbroken. So Andrew sent Philemon to help. Philemon was not afraid, because he trusted that God was with him.

When Philemon reached the next town, some unkind men tied him up to stop him. But God had a surprise. Birds flew down and spoke with Philemon, just as a dove once spoke to Noah long ago. A gentle dove flew all the way to Andrew to bring him quickly. When the ruler of the town saw the talking dove, he could hardly believe his eyes. He untied Philemon himself and chose to believe in Jesus.

Then Saint Andrew arrived. He knelt and prayed, and in the name of Jesus the boy who had died woke up, alive and well. Andrew prayed again, and others in the ruler's house who had died were given their lives back too. Everyone was filled with joy, and they all asked to be baptized. Andrew blessed the kind dove and let her fly free into the quiet wilderness.

Andrew kept traveling and teaching, even when some people did not want to listen. At the end of his life, wicked men hurt Andrew because he would not stop telling everyone about Jesus, and he gave his life still loving God. We call him a martyr. Andrew was not afraid at all, because Jesus came to him and gave him peace, and he knew he was going home to God.

Be strong and do not be afraid; Andrew is coming, and he will hear your words.— what the dove told Philemon

Greetings to you, O follower of Jesus, who taught the good news and, by God's power, raised the people of Leda from death.

More Friends of God We Remember Today

On this same day we also thank God for more of His faithful friends: Abba 'Os and the holy Virgins, and James, and Zachariah, and Simon, and Theodora, and Theophana. The Virgins were women who gave their whole hearts and lives to God.

We do not know every story about each of them, but God knows them all by name. They loved God with all their hearts and stayed close to Him. We remember them happily and ask these gentle friends of God to pray for us too.