Tikimt 2 — October 12

Abba Severus, the Bishop God Kept Safe

Today we remember a brave church leader named Abba Severus (say it SEV-er-us). He was an archbishop, a leader who takes care of many churches, in a far-away city called Antioch. On this day, long ago, he came to the land of Egypt.

There was a ruler at that time who was not kind, and he wanted to send Abba Severus away. But the ruler's wife loved God, and she loved Abba Severus too. She trusted him very much. When she learned that her husband wanted to harm the holy man, she begged Abba Severus to keep himself safe.

Abba Severus was not afraid. He loved Jesus so much that he was ready to give everything for Him. But the kind queen and some good friends asked him again and again, so at last he agreed to go quietly away.

Then God did something surprising. The ruler sent soldiers to look for Abba Severus, but God hid him from their eyes. Abba Severus even walked right past the soldiers, close enough to touch, and they could not see him at all. God kept His friend safe.

So Abba Severus traveled through Egypt in secret, going from one quiet prayer-home to another. Everywhere he went, God healed the sick and helped the people through him.

I am ready to give everything for the sake of my Lord Jesus Christ.— Abba Severus

The Hidden Holy Bread

One day Abba Severus came to a quiet place in the desert called Scete. He slipped into the church of Saint Abba Macarius, dressed like a simple traveling monk, so that no one would know who he was. He looked like any other man who had given his life to quiet prayer.

Inside, a priest was leading the prayers. Sweet-smelling incense filled the air, and he read from the Holy Gospel. Then he lifted the cloth to find the holy Offering, the special bread for the prayers. But it was gone. He could not find it anywhere.

The priest began to cry. "My friends," he said, "I cannot find the Offering. I do not know why it is hidden from me." And the people were sad with him.

Right away an angel of God appeared and told the priest the happy reason. The bread was not gone because of any sin. It was hidden because the great Archbishop Abba Severus was standing quietly in the corner of the church, and the priest had not noticed him. The angel pointed, and the priest knew Abba Severus at once.

The priest hurried over and brought Abba Severus to the front with great honor. And when he went back to the altar, there was the holy Offering, right where it should be. Everyone praised God together.

This is hidden because the great Archbishop Abba Severus is standing quietly in the corner of the church.— the angel

A Peaceful Home at Last

After this, Abba Severus traveled on to a city called Seha. There a kind, rich man named Dorotheus, who loved God, welcomed him into his home.

Abba Severus stayed safely with his good friend for the rest of his life, praying and serving God in peace. God had watched over him from the very beginning to the very end.

Takla Sama'et and Heriacus

On this same happy day, the Church also remembers two more of God's faithful friends: Takla Sama'et and Heriacus (sometimes called Cyriacus).

We do not know many stories about them, but we know they loved God and belonged to Him. We thank God for all His saints, both the ones with big stories and the ones we remember quietly, and we ask them to pray for us.