Tikimt 16 — October 26

Abba Agathon, the Patient Church Father

Today we remember a kind and gentle church father named Abba Agathon. He was chosen to be the archbishop of the great city of Alexandria, the leader who takes care of all its churches and people. He was the thirty-ninth archbishop of that city, which means thirty-eight good fathers had led the church before him.

Being the leader was not easy. A man who did not love the church was put in charge of the city, and he was unkind to Abba Agathon. He kept demanding more and more money and made the father's life very hard. For a while, Abba Agathon could not even leave his little room. But he kept praying and trusting God, and he never stopped loving his people. In time, God took the trouble away, and the church was at peace again.

While Abba Agathon was archbishop, a beautiful church was finished for a holy monk named Abba Macarius, a man who had given his life to quiet prayer. One night an angel of the Lord came to Abba Agathon while he slept. The angel told him about a good monk named John, who lived far away in a place called the Fayyum. John would help teach the people, the angel said, and would even become archbishop after him. So Abba Agathon sent for John and gave him important work in the churches.

Abba Agathon served God for nineteen whole years, and then he rested in peace. We send our love and greetings to this faithful father.

He shall be archbishop after thee.— the angel to Abba Agathon

Three Holy Friends: Macrobius, 'Eblo, and Peter

Today we also remember three holy friends of God. The first is Saint Abba Macrobius, a faithful servant of the Lord. The second is Saint Abba 'Eblo, who is also called Apollo.

The third is Saint Abba Peter. He was the student of a wise teacher named Abba Isaiah, who lived all alone to pray. Someone who lives alone like that is called an anchorite (say it like "AN-ko-rite"). From his good teacher, Abba Peter learned how to love God and pray. We send our greetings to Macrobius, 'Eblo, and Peter, and we ask them to pray for us.

Many Friends of God

Today the church remembers a whole group of God's friends, all on the same happy day. There were so many of them. Their names are Paracu, Aaron, Karbu, 'Analyu, Abba Pawli, Mark, and Gadel.

We also remember forty-five good and righteous men from a place called El-Derke. To be righteous means to live in a way that pleases God. Each one of these friends loved God and tried to do what was right. Think how many people, in so many places, gave their hearts to God! We thank God for every one of them, and we ask them all to pray for us.