Tahsas 13 — December 22

Saint Basofreyos, Who Loved Jesus So Much

Today we remember a brave man named Saint Basofreyos (say it: bah-so-FRAY-os). He became a monk, living a quiet life of prayer, in a church named after Gabriel the Archangel. It stood in the big city of Cairo, beside the great river Nile.

Basofreyos loved Jesus with all his heart. He was not afraid to tell everyone the truth: that Jesus is truly God. Some people did not like to hear this, and they hurt him for it. Basofreyos stayed faithful right to the very end, even when it cost him his life. That is why we call him a martyr.

He was brave because he knew where he was going. He was going home to live with God forever. We say a happy salutation to him today.

He told everyone the truth, that our Lord Jesus Christ is truly God.

Saint Abracius and His Race for God

Saint Abracius (say it: ah-BRAY-shus) lived in a place called Upper Egypt. When he was twenty years old, he became a monk and lived a quiet, hard-working life of prayer. He tried his best to be good, like a runner giving everything in a long race.

An evil spirit tried to make Abracius feel sad and give up. It whispered, "You still have fifty more years to live," hoping Abracius would grow tired and lose heart.

But Abracius was wise and turned the trick into something good! He said, "Thank you for telling me. I thought I had a hundred more years, so I was being slow. If I only have a little time, I had better do my very best for God right now."

So Abracius prayed even harder and grew even kinder. He ran his race so well that he finished it that very same year, still working joyfully for God. God called him home when he was seventy years old. We say a salutation to him.

If my time is short, I had better do my very best for God right now.

Saint Hannah and the Coming of Mary

Today is a very happy day! On this day, Saint Hannah was given the good news that a baby was coming to her. That baby would grow up to be our holy Lady, the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Mary is sometimes called the God-bearer, because one day she would carry baby Jesus, who is God. So the joy of Christmas really begins right here, with a happy mother named Hannah waiting for her little girl.

We say a glad salutation to Saint Hannah and the wonderful gift God gave her.

Father Michael, the Quiet Desert Monk

We also remember a holy father named Michael, who lived far out in the quiet desert at a place called Dabra Kalmon. He was a monk and a priest, one who helps lead God's people in prayer.

Michael chose to live simply and peacefully, spending his days talking with God. We say a salutation to Michael, the desert monk and priest.

Abba Makari and the Partridges That Flew Away

Abba Makari (say it: mah-KAH-ree) loved God from the time he was a boy. He read the holy books and decided to give his whole life to God, so he became a monk. Then he walked for ten whole days, far into the desert, until he found a quiet spot. There was plenty of water, some roots to eat, and little birds called partridges.

Makari lived all alone for many years and prayed all night long. Each day he caught one partridge, cooked it with some plants, and thanked God for his food. He was so peaceful that he never once quarreled with anyone.

One day a visiting monk saw Makari catching birds and thought he was doing something wrong. He hurried off to tell the archbishop, the leader who takes care of many churches. So the archbishop sent two monks to find out the truth.

Before the two monks arrived, Makari caught three birds in his net, exactly enough for three people! He wondered why, since he was always alone. Then the two visitors walked up, and Makari was so glad. "Thank You, God," he said, "for giving me food for Your servants." He set the table for them with a happy heart.

The two monks said they could not eat the birds. So Makari smiled, took the cooked partridges, and blew on them three times. The birds came alive, flapped their wings, and flew up into the sky back to their nests! The two monks could hardly believe their eyes, and they said they were sorry for thinking badly of him.

Soon the emperor and the archbishop came to ask for Makari's blessing. As they arrived, an angel lifted the holy old man up to carry him home to God. Before he went, Makari left them a kind and simple lesson, and then he rose up to heaven. We say a salutation to Makari.

Love one another, and God be with you all.— Abba Makari's last words

More Friends of God, and Rufa'el the Healing Angel

We also remember some other faithful friends of God: Abranicus, Horasafon, Cornelius the governor, Warktepos, and 'Arfra. Each of them loved God in their own way, and we are happy to say their names today.

Last of all, we greet Rufa'el (Raphael), one of God's great angels. He is the angel who helps and heals. We ask this kind angel to pray for us, that God would keep us healthy and safe.