Tir 7 — January 15

Saint Sol-Petros, the Wise Archbishop of Rome

Today we remember a holy father named Sol-Petros, who is also called Silvester (say it like SIL-ves-ter). He lived in the big city of Rome a long, long time ago.

Sol-Petros loved God with all his heart. He prayed a lot, he was kind and fair, and he learned so much about God. Because he tried so hard to live a good life, the people chose him to be their archbishop, the leader who watches over all the churches. He sat in the special seat that once belonged to Peter, one of Jesus' closest helpers.

In those days there was a powerful ruler named Constantine, an emperor who governed a very big land. At first Constantine did not know Jesus. But over time his heart began to change. Sol-Petros taught him about God, and one happy day he washed Constantine with holy water, a sign that Constantine now belonged to God. We call this baptism. Constantine became a friend of God. He took down the old places where people prayed to statues, and he built beautiful churches instead.

Sol-Petros was a patient, gifted teacher. He explained the hard parts of the Bible so people could understand. When someone felt worried or confused, he helped them feel sure and peaceful again. He also wrote many books about God, like cool water for people who were thirsty to learn.

He helped lead a very famous meeting of 318 church fathers in a town called Nicea, where they wrote down what Christians believe. Sol-Petros served God faithfully for many years, and then he died in peace.

He wrote books about God, and gave a cool drink to every soul that was thirsting to know Him.

Saint Abba Ephraim, Full of Wisdom

Today we also remember Saint Abba Ephraim (say it like EFF-ra-im). He was a holy father who loved God very much.

God filled Ephraim's heart with wisdom. Wisdom means knowing the right and good thing to do, and Ephraim used his to teach others about God's love. People remembered him as a gentle, wise friend who pointed everyone toward heaven.

We thank God for teachers like Ephraim, who help us learn to love God too.

Greetings to Ephraim, the father who was filled with wisdom.

More Friends of God We Remember Today

On this day we also remember a group of holy people who all loved God: Mosolon (who is also called Salomon), Gregory, Mark, Antianus, Luya, Maylen, Sosyas, and Marteya.

We may not know a long story about each one, but God knows every single one of them by name. They each tried to live good lives and to stay close to God.

When we say their names today, we thank God for all the kind and faithful people who came before us. We can ask them to pray for us, and we can try to be brave and loving, just like they were.