Tahsas 8 — December 17

Abba Yarokla, the Teaching Father

Abba Yarokla (you can say it like "Ya-ROK-la") grew up in a family that did not yet know about Jesus. After he was born, his parents learned about God and were baptized, washed in water as a sign that they now belonged to Him.

His parents loved learning. First they taught little Yarokla all the wise things people knew in those days. Then, once they believed in Jesus, they taught him the holy books of the Church too. He learned so well that he could say long parts of the Bible from memory.

When he grew up, the church leaders chose Yarokla to be the archbishop of a great city called Alexandria, a leader watching over many churches. He cared for God's people the way a kind shepherd cares for his sheep. He taught them, helped them, and gently showed those who had wandered away how to come home to God. Because of him, so many people came to love Jesus.

Yarokla served God faithfully for thirteen years, and then he died in peace, ready to go home to God.

Brave Barbara and Her Friend Juliana

Barbara was a young woman whose father was rich and important. He loved her so much that he built her a beautiful home with high walls. But he did not know God yet.

One day, while builders were making two windows in her home, Barbara asked them to add a third. When her father wanted to know why, she told him the secret of her heart. The three windows were for the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God. She had also drawn the sign of the Cross, because the Cross of Jesus brings good to the whole world.

Barbara gently asked her father to love God too. But he was not ready to listen, and he grew angry. Barbara ran away to be safe. The Bible tells of a rock that opened to hide her, like a strong shelter from God.

Later, Barbara was taken to a ruler who tried to make her stop loving Jesus. A kind woman named Juliana watched, felt sad for her, and decided she loved God too. The Lord Jesus Himself came to comfort Barbara and make her strong. Barbara and Juliana stayed faithful right to the end, and they became martyrs: they kept loving God even when it cost them their lives. They were not afraid, because they knew heaven was waiting for them. A righteous man named Abba Merena had helped Barbara keep a brave and steady heart.

Afterward, the bath Barbara had blessed with the sign of the Cross became a place where sick people who washed there were made well. God turned a sad story into one of healing and hope.

Everything is complete in the Holy Trinity, so I made three windows in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.— Saint Barbara

Abba Samuel of Kalmon

Abba Samuel was the only child of a kind priest named Silas. One night his father had a dream, and a shining man told him that little Samuel would grow up to be a great teacher of God. And he did.

When Samuel was young, he wanted to go live in the desert and pray. On his journey, a friendly monk walked beside him and helped him find the way. That "monk" was really an angel of God, sent to watch over him. The angel brought him to a holy old man named Abba Agathon, who welcomed Samuel with great joy and taught him the monk's life: quiet days given to prayer.

Samuel grew strong in his love for God. Some people were unkind to him and tried to scare him into giving up the true faith. But he kept trusting God, and God kept him safe again and again.

Once a camel even spoke to Samuel like a person, reminding him to listen quietly and obey God. When Samuel was far from home and a sick man asked for help, Samuel prayed, and the man got well. After that, many sick people came, and God healed them through Samuel's prayers. Even people who had once been cruel to him grew to love him.

At last Samuel returned to his monastery, and so many people came to pray with him that they grew into thousands. Our Lady Mary, the mother of Jesus, appeared to him and promised this would be a holy, peaceful home forever. Samuel lived a long, good life, and then he died in peace.

Fear not, O Samuel; go into the church and I will keep you safe.— a voice from God

Abba 'Esi and His Sister Thecla

Abba 'Esi was a rich man who loved God dearly. He had many sheep, and he gave their wool and much of his money to people who were poor and hungry. His sister Thecla loved God too.

When Christians were having a hard time, 'Esi and his friend Paul brought good food to God's people and visited those who were locked away, to comfort them and cheer them up. They served everyone with kind, humble hearts.

'Esi loved Jesus so much that he bravely told a ruler he belonged to God. Wicked men tried to hurt him, but God kept him safe. An angel named Suriel came down from heaven, stood beside 'Esi, and let no harm touch him. When people saw how God rescued him, many of them began to believe in Jesus too.

The angel even carried 'Esi up to see the heavenly city of Jerusalem. It was brighter than the sun, full of gold and precious stones, and the saints came out joyfully to greet him. The angel told 'Esi that God has gifts ready for everyone who remembers His saints and does kind things, even something as small as handing someone a cup of cool water.

'Esi's sister Thecla traveled by boat to find him, and our Lady Mary herself rode along to comfort her on the way. The brother and sister were so happy to be together again. They stayed faithful to the very end and became martyrs, and a kind priest tenderly cared for their bodies. Afterward, signs and blessings kept reminding everyone that God never forgets those who love Him.

Even if a man can only give a cup of cold water, he shall not lose his reward in heaven.— the words of the angel

John of Damascus

John lived in a city called Damascus, in a good and honorable family. He studied so hard that he became very wise, and all his life he loved and honored God.

In John's time, some leaders said it was wrong to keep holy pictures of Jesus, Mary, and the saints in church. John knew these pictures help us remember and love God, so he wrote letters to many people to keep them strong and faithful. For his courage, some tried to hurt him, and his writing hand was injured.

Then something beautiful happened. John prayed with many tears to our Lady Mary, the mother of Jesus, and asked her to help him. While he slept, she came to him, and when he woke, his hand was whole and well again. John thanked God with all his heart.

After that, John went to live in a monastery and became a monk. There he learned to be humble and quiet. He wrote talks and books about God that people still read today. He kept teaching and defending the true faith all his life, until he grew old and went home to Christ, whom he loved so much.

More Saints We Remember Today

Today we also remember three more of God's faithful friends: Yeres Kela, Elkolonitos, and Eugenius, the father of Abba Merina. They loved God and served Him well, and now they rest with Him in peace. We thank God for every one of His good and faithful saints.