Tikimt 11 — October 21

Saint James, the Patient Church Father

Today we remember a kind church father named Saint James, who lived in a city called Antioch. He was a patriarch, a leader who takes care of many, many churches, and he loved to teach people the true things about God.

Some people believed wrong ideas about Jesus, and they did not like that James taught the truth. So they sent him far away from his home and his people. This is called being sent into exile. But James's people loved him, and they brought him back!

Sadly, he was sent away again, this time for seven long years. Through all of it, James stayed patient and kept trusting God. He never stopped believing the truth about Jesus. At last, when his work was finished, he died in peace, safe in God's loving hands.

Even when he was sent far from home, James stayed patient and kept trusting God.

Saint Pelagia, Who Started Fresh

Today we also remember Saint Pelagia (say it: peh-LAY-jah). When she was young, Pelagia cared only about pretty clothes and fancy things, and she did not think about God at all.

But one day she heard a kind bishop named Paul teaching about Jesus. A bishop is a church leader who teaches and watches over God's people. Pelagia's heart melted, and she wanted to change. She was baptized, washed in holy water as a sign that her new life with God had begun.

Then Pelagia gave away her fancy things and chose to live a simple, quiet life of prayer. She went to live near the holy city of Jerusalem and spent forty years there, growing closer and closer to God every day. Pelagia teaches us a happy truth: no matter what, anyone can turn to God and start fresh.

No matter what we have done, we can always turn to God and start fresh.