Tahsas 14 — December 23

Saint Simon, Who Spoke Up for God

Saint Simon lived in a town called Upper Manuf, in the north of Egypt. He loved God very much and knew the true Faith well.

When other people argued with him about God, Simon answered kindly and wisely. His words were so good and true that no one could argue him out of his faith.

Some people did not like that Simon would not stop loving Jesus. They hurt him, and he stayed faithful to the end, even when it cost him his life. That is why we call him a martyr. Simon was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God. We send a loving greeting to brave Saint Simon.

Saint Behur and Saint Minas the Elder

We also remember two other faithful friends of God: Saint Behur and Saint Minas the Elder.

They, too, loved Jesus with all their hearts and stayed true to Him to the very end. They gave their lives for Him, and now they are happy with God forever. We thank God for their brave and gentle hearts.

Saint Marhamnam and His Sister Sara

Marhamnam (say it MAR-ham-nam) was a prince. His father was a king who prayed to statues instead of the true God, but his mother was a Christian who loved Jesus.

One day Marhamnam went up a mountain and met a holy man named Abba Matthew, who lived a quiet life of prayer. Abba Matthew taught him all about God. He told him how Jesus was born, how He loves us, and how He gives a happy home in heaven to those who follow Him.

Marhamnam said, 'My sister Sara is very, very sick. If your God can make her well, I will believe in Him.' Abba Matthew prayed and tapped the ground in the shape of a cross. Right then, fresh water bubbled up like a spring! He baptized Marhamnam, his sister, and their friends in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Right away, Sara was completely well again, and everyone was filled with joy.

Marhamnam's father was upset that his children now loved Jesus. He even sent a beautiful crown and offered Marhamnam the whole kingdom to make him stop. But Marhamnam said he wanted something far better than any earthly crown.

Marhamnam, Sara, and their friends stayed faithful to Jesus to the end, and gave their lives for Him. Later their mother built a beautiful church for them, and God did many miracles there.

I am seeking the kingdom of my Lord Jesus Christ, which neither grows old nor ever passes away.— Saint Marhamnam

A King Who Found God, and the Faithful Guards

Then something changed in Marhamnam's father, the king. For a while he was very troubled, as if an evil spirit was bothering him. His wife sent for Abba Matthew, who prayed over some oil and gently blessed the king with it. The trouble left him at once, because God is always stronger than anything evil.

Then the king believed in Jesus! Abba Matthew baptized him, his wife, and all the people of his city. The happy king built a church in honor of Saint Mary and gave gifts to people who were poor.

Many years later, the people who guarded Marhamnam's tomb were told to stop loving Jesus. They answered bravely, 'We are Christians, and we will not give up the Faith our Lord taught us.' They stayed faithful, and now they rest with God. We remember all these brave friends of God with love.

Abba Gabra Krestos and the Tree That Bloomed for Mary

Abba Gabra Krestos was a good and holy archbishop of the great city of Alexandria. An archbishop is a church leader who watches over many churches.

In his time, people told of something marvelous. There was a church named after Saint Mary, and beside its doors stood an old olive tree that looked dry and bare. But every year, on Saint Mary's feast day, that dry tree would suddenly burst into green leaves and grow so many olives they could not be counted! The people pressed the olives into oil to light the lamps of the church. When the feast was over, the tree went back to looking bare again.

Abba Gabra Krestos wondered if this was really true, so he asked God to show him. That night an angel carried him to the far-off church, and with his own eyes he saw the tree bloom and then rest! Later a kind governor told him the very same story. Everyone praised God and thanked Saint Mary for such a happy wonder.

Abba Gabra Krestos served God faithfully for thirty years, and then he died in peace. We send a loving greeting to this gentle church father.

On Saint Mary's feast day the dry old tree burst into leaf and bore more olives than anyone could count, then rested again when the feast was done.

Abba Ammonius, the Brave Bishop

Abba Ammonius was a bishop in the city of Esna, a leader who cares for God's people. He gathered everyone together and taught them about the love of God.

A ruler told Ammonius to stop loving God and to bow to statues instead. But Ammonius answered with words from the Bible, telling everyone that we worship only the one true God.

Before the end, Ammonius asked for a moment to pray. He blessed his city and all the people who loved Jesus, and he even prayed kindly for the ruler who had been unkind to him. Then Ammonius gave his life and went home to God. Afterward, God did many miracles through him, and people came to give thanks. We greet brave Abba Ammonius with love.

You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.— Matthew 4:10

Princess Nasahit, the Hidden Light

Nasahit was a princess, the daughter of an emperor in Rome. But she loved God more than fancy clothes or palaces. Quietly, she left her home to live a humble life of prayer, dressing in a plain old cloak and covering her face so no one would know she was a princess.

One evening she came to a monastery, a quiet home where people pray together. She kept her face hidden and prayed all night. The monks heard her sing the Psalms so sweetly that it sounded like angels. When she began to read the Gospel of John, her face shone with a light so bright they could hardly look at her!

Only later did the monks learn that she was a princess who had given up everything to follow God for many years. We remember sweet Princess Nasahit, the hidden light who shone for God.