Tikimt 8 — October 18

Saint Metra, Who Loved God More Than Gold

Today we remember a kind old man named Saint Metra. He lived long ago in a great city called Alexandria, and he loved Jesus with his whole heart.

In those days a ruler did not like people who followed Jesus. He wanted everyone to bow down to idols, the statues of wood and stone that people prayed to, even though stone cannot see or hear or help anyone. The ruler tried to make Metra stop loving God.

The ruler offered Metra lots of money if he would only worship the idols. But Metra would not trade God for gold. He bravely said that he worshiped the Lord Jesus Christ, who made the heavens and the earth. Why would he leave the true God for statues that cannot even walk or smell?

Wicked men hurt Saint Metra because he would not stop loving Jesus. But God watched over him, healed him, and made him strong and well again. Metra was never afraid. He knew he was going home to God. In the end he gave his life rather than give up his Lord, and so we call him a martyr. Many other faithful friends of God were just as brave on this same day. God gave Metra a beautiful crown in heaven.

I worship my Lord Jesus Christ, who made the heavens and the earth. How could I ever leave Him for idols of stone and wood, that cannot see, or smell, or walk?— Saint Metra

Saint Bacchus and Saint Pelagia

On this day we also remember two more brave friends of God, Saint Bacchus (say it BAH-koos) and Saint Pelagia (say it peh-LAH-jee-ah).

They loved Jesus very much, and they would not stop loving Him no matter what. Even when it was hard and people tried to scare them, they stayed faithful and kept their hearts on God.

Both of them became martyrs, which means they stayed true to God right to the very end. They were not afraid, because they trusted that God would take care of them forever. Now they live with God in heaven, happy and safe.

Abba Hor the Faithful

We also remember a holy man named Abba Hor. (Abba is a word that means father, and it is a kind name for a holy monk.)

Abba Hor loved God deeply and stayed faithful to Jesus, even when it was not easy. He became a martyr too, keeping his promise to God all the way to the end.

When we hear about Abba Hor, we can ask God to make our hearts strong and faithful, just like his.

Abba Bula, Susannah, and Her Children

Today we remember a whole family of God's friends together. There was a holy man named Abba Bula, and a loving mother named Susannah with her dear children. They lived in a place called Semwah.

This family loved God so much that they stayed faithful to Him side by side. The children were brave because their mother taught them to trust Jesus, and they all helped one another keep loving God.

They gave their lives together, staying true to God right to the very end. A whole family, brave for God! We can ask Susannah and her children to pray for our families too, that we may love God together the way they did.

Susannah and her children loved God so much that they stayed faithful to Him side by side, like a whole family holding hands.

Saint Agathon the Anchorite

Last of all today, we remember Saint Agathon (say it AG-ah-thon), who was an anchorite. That means he lived all alone in a quiet place, so he could pray to God all day long.

Saint Agathon left behind noise and busy things and chose a still, peaceful life with God. He spent his days praying and listening for God in the quiet.

Saint Agathon teaches us something gentle and good: that being quiet with God is a happy thing, and that God is always near, even when no one else is around. We can ask this kind saint to pray for us.