Tahsas 7 — December 16

Abba Daniel, the Monk Who Found Hidden Saints

Today we remember Abba Daniel. He lived in a monastery, a quiet desert house where people pray to God together. Abba Daniel had a special gift. He could see the goodness in people that everyone else missed.

One evening Abba Daniel met a man named Marka. Everyone thought Marka was silly and strange. But Abba Daniel stopped and listened, and he discovered the truth: Marka was a holy man who only acted silly so people would leave him alone and let him pray in peace. When everyone found out, they thanked God.

Another time, Abba Daniel stayed with a kind stone-worker named Eulogius. Eulogius bought bread and welcomed people who were poor. Abba Daniel prayed that God would give him more, so he could help even more people. God answered, and Eulogius became rich and important. But the riches made him forget his kind ways. So Abba Daniel prayed again, and God gently led Eulogius back to his happy, simple life of helping others.

Abba Daniel often met holy women who hid how good they were, praying in secret. One day some robbers tried to trick a group of praying women by pretending to be Abba Daniel. But when a blind woman washed her face, God opened her eyes, and she could see! The leader of the robbers watched it happen. His heart turned soft, he was sorry, and he chose to follow God too. When Abba Daniel grew old, an angel told him it was time, and he went home to God in peace.

We say a loving hello to Abba Daniel.

Abba Daniel could see that the people others laughed at were really God's hidden friends.

The Blessed Woman Diyonteres

On this day we also remember a holy woman named Diyonteres. We do not know many stories about her, but the Church keeps her name with love and gives her a happy greeting. She belonged to God, and that is enough for us to thank Him for her.

We say a loving hello to Diyonteres.

Abba Matewos and the Gentle Wild Animals

Abba Matewos (we say it MAH-tay-wos) loved God from the time he was a little boy. He became a monk and built a small home in the desert. With his own hands he made fishing nets, and the money he earned he gave to people who were poor. He stayed kind and humble all his days.

Sometimes evil spirits tried to scare Abba Matewos, but he was never afraid. He would make the sign of the Cross and pray, and the bad spirits melted away like smoke in the wind. God is always stronger than anything scary.

One day his helper, Serapion, opened the door of the desert home and saw two big wild animals resting inside. He was so frightened he slammed the door shut. When Abba Matewos came back, he laughed gently and said, "Do not be afraid." He had cared for those animals for twelve whole years, bringing them bread and water. When he opened the door, the big animals padded out, licked his feet like friendly puppies, and walked happily back into the desert.

God gave Abba Matewos the power to heal. When people who were hurting came to him, he prayed and made the sign of the Cross, and they went home well and full of joy. Once a mother hyena tugged at his clothes and led him to her baby, stuck in a hole. Abba Matewos gently pulled the little one out, and the happy mother licked his feet to say thank you.

When Abba Matewos was old, he had a beautiful dream. Many holy fathers who already lived with God invited him to come and stay with them forever in heaven. Then he closed his eyes and went home to God.

Believe me, my son, for twelve years I have lived with them, and I myself have served them.— Abba Matewos to Serapion

Good is thy coming unto us, to dwell with us in the Jerusalem of the heavens.— the holy fathers in the dream