Tikimt 1 — October 11

Saint Anastasia, the Brave Nun

Long ago in the great city of Rome there lived a girl named Anastasia (you can say it AH-nah-STAH-zee-ah). Her mother and father loved God, and they taught her to love Him too. They taught her to read, to pray, and to follow the way of the Church.

When Anastasia grew up, she wanted to give her whole life to God. So she went to live with a group of nuns, women who pray together and serve God in a quiet home of their own. She prayed often. She shared her food. She was happy living simply, because she loved God more than anything in the world.

One day Anastasia saw soldiers being unkind to some Christians. She was brave and spoke up for them, reminding everyone that God had made each person and loved each one. She would not stop saying she belonged to Jesus, and for that, wicked men hurt her, and she went home to God. She gave her very life rather than turn away from Him. She was not afraid, because she knew God was waiting to welcome her with a crown in heaven.

Today we remember how brave and faithful Anastasia was, and we thank God for giving her such a loving, fearless heart.

Why are you unkind to these people? God made every one of them, and God loves them.

Saint Haritan

On this day we also remember Saint Haritan, who is sometimes called Cheriton. He was a holy man who loved God and gave his life to prayer.

We do not know many stories about him, but we know that he stayed faithful to Jesus all his life. We thank God for Saint Haritan and ask him to pray for us.

Susannah the Virgin

Today we also remember Susannah, a holy young woman who chose to give her whole heart to God. She decided not to marry, so that all her love and all her time could go to serving Him.

Susannah kept her promise to God faithfully. She is a happy example of someone who loved God with all her heart, and we ask her to pray for us too.

Mary, the Sister of Lazarus

Last of all, today we remember Mary, the sister of Lazarus. You may know her family from the Bible! Mary, her sister Martha, and their brother Lazarus were dear friends of Jesus. Jesus loved to visit their home.

Mary loved to sit close to Jesus and listen to every word He said. When her brother Lazarus died, Jesus came to the grave, called Lazarus by name, and Lazarus came back to life. Mary saw with her own eyes that Jesus is stronger than anything, even death.

We remember Mary as a friend of Jesus who loved to be near Him and to listen to Him. That is a beautiful thing for all of us to do too.

Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.— Luke 10:42