Tikimt 12 — October 22

Saint Michael the Archangel

Today we have a happy feast for Saint Michael the archangel! An archangel is one of the greatest angels, one of God's special helpers in heaven. Each month we remember Saint Michael, because God often sends him to help His people.

Long ago, God sent Michael to a holy man named Samuel, a prophet who told people the words God gave him. God told Samuel to go to a town called Bethlehem, to the home of a man named Jesse. One of Jesse's sons was going to be the new king.

Jesse brought his big sons to Samuel, but God did not choose any of them. So Samuel asked, "Do you have one more son?" Jesse said, "Yes, my youngest, David. He is out in the fields taking care of the sheep." When young David came in, God said, "This is the one!" Samuel poured special oil on David's head, and David became king.

God sent Saint Michael to help David again, too. There was a giant named Goliath who frightened everyone. With God's help and Michael beside him, brave David won, and God's people were safe. That is why the Church keeps this happy feast for Saint Michael every month.

God sent Michael to help David, and gave him strength.

Saint Matthew the Apostle

Saint Matthew was one of the twelve apostles, the closest helpers Jesus chose. He is also called an evangelist, which means he wrote one of the four Gospels, the books that tell us about Jesus. Matthew wrote his Gospel in the Hebrew language.

Matthew traveled to faraway cities to teach people about God. When he felt worried about going into one city, Jesus Himself appeared to him and gently cheered him up. After that, Matthew was not afraid.

In that city, God worked through Matthew. A bright light shone, and Matthew taught the people that there is only one true God. A man named Hermes asked, "What is the name of your God?" Matthew answered, "His name is Christ." Then Hermes believed, and so did many others!

Once, the leader's son became very sick and died. Matthew prayed to Jesus, and God brought the boy back to life again! Everyone was so happy, and the whole city came to love Jesus. Matthew built them a church.

Another time, Matthew helped a poor man who had lost his money in the sea. Matthew told him where to look, and the man found a bag full of gold. He paid what he owed and was saved. Wicked men later hurt Matthew because he would not stop teaching about Jesus, and he gave his life rather than be silent. That is what we mean when we call him a martyr. He was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God.

"What is the name of your God?" — "His name is Christ."— Saint Matthew

Abba Demetrius, the Holy Archbishop

Abba Demetrius was a kind church father. He became the archbishop of the great city of Alexandria, the leader who watches over all its churches. He had started out as a simple man who worked in a vineyard, growing grapes, and he had not even learned to read.

One night an angel told the old archbishop, "Tomorrow a man will bring you grapes. He will be the next archbishop." The very next morning, Demetrius came carrying a bunch of grapes, and that is how everyone knew God had chosen him! After that, God filled Demetrius with wisdom. He learned the holy books by heart and helped the whole Church know the right days to keep their fasts and feasts.

Demetrius loved God so much that he and his wife had quietly promised to live like a brother and sister, praying together their whole lives. God told him to share this happy secret so people would trust him. Demetrius held burning coals in his cloak, and his wife held some too, and the cloth did not burn at all! It was a sign that God was with them and kept them pure.

Demetrius taught God's people every single day. When he grew very old and could not walk, his friends carried him gently into the church so he could keep teaching. The people loved to listen to him. He lived a very long life and then died in peace, close to God.

The good shepherd gives his life for his flock.— John 10:11

More Friends of God

Today we also remember more holy people who loved God: Peter, and Dionymus, and Ya'ekob, and Abu Tefa, and Theodore. They were all faithful friends of God. We thank God for them and ask them to pray for us.