Tikimt 4 — October 14

Saint Bacchus and Saint Sergius, the Brave Friends

Bacchus (say it: BAH-koos) and Sergius (SUR-jee-us) were two soldiers who were also best friends. Most of all, they loved God. They were so brave that nothing could make them stop believing in Jesus.

Some powerful men did not want them to follow God, and they hurt the two friends. But Bacchus and Sergius would not give up their faith. They gave their lives rather than stop loving Jesus, and so we call them martyrs. They were not afraid, because they knew they were going home to God.

Then something surprising happened. After Saint Bacchus died, the water carried his body all the way to the shore, safe and whole. God watched over it the whole time. Two holy men who lived quietly and prayed all day, one named Mama and one named Baba, heard an angel speak to them. The angel told them to go and find Saint Bacchus and care for his body.

When Mama and Baba arrived, they saw a great surprise. A lion and some wolves sat beside the saint, guarding him gently. These were wild animals, but God had told them to keep watch, and they obeyed for a whole day and night. The two holy men lifted Saint Bacchus with great love, singing songs to God, and they laid him to rest in their cave.

Think of it: even lions can be gentle when God asks them to.

God told the lion and the wolves to keep watch over the saint, and they obeyed all night long.

Saint Ananias, Who Helped Saint Paul See

Ananias (say it: an-a-NYE-as) was a follower of Jesus and a teacher who told people the good news about God. He was one of the seventy-two helpers that Jesus sent out, and later he became the bishop of a city called Damascus, caring for God's people there.

Ananias has a very special story in the Bible. There was a man named Saul who used to be unkind to Christians. Then Jesus met Saul on the road and changed his heart. God told Ananias to go and pray for him. Ananias baptized him, and that man became the great Apostle Paul, who taught the whole world about Jesus.

Ananias prayed for many sick people, and God made them well. He helped so many people come to love Jesus. He stayed faithful to God his whole life, even when it was hard, and he is remembered today as a brave and loving saint.

God sent Ananias to pray for Saul, and Saul became the great Apostle Paul.

Saints Romanus, Gabra Krestos, and John

Today we also remember three more good and holy people: Romanus, Gabra Krestos, and John. Gabra Krestos means "servant of Christ." What a beautiful name! John was a faithful helper who served God with all his heart.

These saints loved God and lived their whole lives trying to please Him. On this day we also celebrate something happy: a church in a place called Senhar was finished and blessed, so that people could gather there to pray and sing to God together. A new church is always a joyful thing!

The Kind Kings Abreha and Asbeha

Long, long ago in Ethiopia, in a great city called Aksum, two brothers ruled together as kings. Their names were Abreha (say it: a-BRE-ha) and Asbeha (as-BE-ha).

These two kings loved God very much. They helped the Christian faith grow strong all across Ethiopia, so that many, many people could learn about Jesus and pray to Him. Because of their kindness and faith, churches were built and the good news spread far and wide.

Today we thank God for these two brother-kings who used everything they had, even their crowns, to serve Him. They show us that anyone, big or small, can do great things for God when they love Him.