Tikimt 9 — October 19

Abba Liwaryos, the Good Shepherd of Rome

Abba Liwaryos (you can say it Lee-WAR-yos) is also called Liberius. He loved God from the time he was a young boy. He became a monk, living a quiet life of prayer, and he learned all about the church.

The people loved him so much that they chose him to be the archbishop of the great city of Rome. An archbishop is a leader who takes care of many churches. Liwaryos taught the people kindly every day and helped them follow God's good way.

In those days a ruler named Julian turned away from Jesus and was unkind to Christians. But Liwaryos and his friend Saint Basil were brave. They had known Julian since they were schoolboys together, so they traveled far to talk to him and gently ask him to come back to God.

Julian was angry and would not listen, so he had the two friends shut away for a while. But God was watching over them. One night both friends had the very same happy dream that God would not let Julian keep being cruel. Soon Julian was gone, and a new ruler who loved Jesus set the saints free!

Liwaryos went home to Rome and kept teaching the truth about God. He led his churches well for six years, and then he died in peace, safe with the God he loved.

He followed a righteous course and was well pleasing unto God.

Abba Athanasius, the Humble Archbishop

Abba Athanasius (say it Ah-thah-NAY-shus) was a monk who served God with all his heart. He was so good and humble that the church leaders chose him to be the archbishop of the city of Antioch.

But there was a small mix-up between the leaders, and Athanasius felt sad about it. So he decided to do something very surprising. He put on plain, poor clothes and quietly traveled far away to another city, where nobody knew his face.

There he knocked on a bishop's door and asked to help. He did the humblest jobs of all — carrying water, lighting fires, and cleaning — without ever telling anyone he was really an archbishop! The monks grew to love him dearly and said he was as gentle as an angel.

Slowly the bishop saw how wise and kind Athanasius was. The bishop wanted to give him bigger and bigger jobs in the church. At last, when they tried to make him a bishop, Athanasius cried and finally told the truth: he was Athanasius, the Archbishop of Antioch!

Everyone could hardly believe that so important a man had washed floors and carried water without a word. With great joy they carried him back home to Antioch, and there he took care of his people lovingly until he died in peace.

Inasmuch as thou didst come on thy feet to my city, I will go on my feet to thy city.— the bishop of Seleucia, walking beside Athanasius

Stephen, the Brave Young Man

Stephen came from a rich and loving family in Antioch. His parents shared their gold with people who were poor, and they taught Stephen the Bible and the songs of David when he was small. His whole family loved Jesus very much.

When Stephen grew up, a cruel ruler named Diocletian was unkind to Christians and wanted everyone to stop praying to God. He sent out a letter telling people to close the churches.

Stephen was full of courage. When the ruler's letter was read out loud, Stephen stood up for Jesus right in front of everyone. He stayed faithful to God to the very end, and gave his life rather than turn away from Him. That is what it means to be a martyr.

Stephen's mother loved him dearly. God's angel helped her find his body and bring it safely home. After the hard days were over, she built a beautiful church in his honor, and God healed many people who came there to pray.

Our Lord Jesus Christ shall defend everyone who believeth on Him.— Saint Stephen

The Day the Sun Grew Dark

Long ago, on this very day, something strange happened in the sky. In the middle of the day the sun grew dark, darker and darker, until it seemed like night-time. The stars came out and people lit their lamps!

The people were a little frightened, so they prayed and asked God to take care of them. And God did. After about one hour the darkness went away, the bright sun came back, and the whole world was full of light again. The people put out their lamps and thanked God.

We remember that day to thank God, who is patient and full of mercy, and who is always quick to show us His love and care.

Abba Simeon the Archbishop

Today we also remember Abba Simeon, a faithful archbishop who took good care of God's people. We thank God for him and ask him to pray for us.

Thomas the Apostle and the Palace in Heaven

Thomas was one of Jesus' twelve apostles, the closest helpers Jesus chose. He traveled all the way to the faraway land of India to tell people the good news about Jesus. Thomas was also a builder, so a king there asked him to build a grand palace.

The king gave Thomas a lot of money to build it. But Thomas had a better idea. Instead of building a palace of stone, he gave all the money to people who were poor and hungry. He said he was giving the king's gift to a greater King, to God in heaven.

At first the king did not understand, and he was upset. But then the king's brother was given a glimpse of heaven, and there he saw a shining palace. When he asked who it was for, the angels said, 'This is the king's palace, built by Thomas with his kind gifts to the poor!'

When the king heard this, he was so happy. He understood that the kindness Thomas gave to the poor had built him a real home in heaven. The king and all his people came to love Jesus and were baptized with great joy.

I give what belongs to the king to another King.— Thomas the Apostle

David, King of Ethiopia

Today we also remember David, a king of Ethiopia who loved and protected God's people. He was strong and steady in doing what was right, and he is honored as one of God's faithful servants.