Tir 8 — January 16

God Blesses the Church of Abba Macarius

Today we remember a happy day when a new church was blessed. The church, God's house where people gather to pray, belonged to Saint Abba Macarius, a holy man who had prayed in the quiet desert of Scete long ago.

A kind church father named Abba Benjamin came to bless it. He was an archbishop, a leader who takes care of many churches. He had been through a hard time and had to live far away for ten years. But God kept him safe, and at last there was peace again, so he came back home full of joy.

When Abba Benjamin began to bless the holy table with special oil, he saw God's own hand blessing it right beside his. He was so filled with wonder that he bowed down low. Then a shining angel gently lifted him up and told him not to be afraid. The angel said this place was a holy secret of God, and that everyone should come in with a humble, gentle heart.

Then Abba Benjamin saw an old man with a kind, glowing face. The angel said it was Abba Macarius himself, who had come in spirit to be happy with all the people who loved him. Abba Macarius spoke about his many followers with great love, hoping they would all stay close to God and kind to one another.

Truly this is the house of God, and this is the door of heaven.— Abba Benjamin

Abba Andronicus, the Wise and Gentle Father

On this day we also remember Abba Andronicus, who was the thirty-seventh archbishop of the great city of Alexandria. He came from a good family and grew up to be wise, kind, and very gentle to everyone he met.

Abba Andronicus knew the Holy Scriptures, the holy words of the Bible, very well. He loved to read them and to teach others about God.

He lived in a time when there was fighting between kings and lands far away, and many people were frightened and sad. Through all of it, Abba Andronicus kept trusting God and caring for his people. He led the church for seven years, and he pleased God with his good and faithful life.

When his work was finished, this gentle father died in peace. We remember him as someone who stayed wise and kind even in hard days, and that is a beautiful way to live.

Abba Benjamin and the Ship That Would Not Sail

Abba Benjamin became archbishop after Abba Andronicus. As a young man he had given his life to quiet prayer as a monk, and he loved the Bible so much that he learned it by heart. One night, in a dream, a voice told him he would one day care for God's people like a shepherd caring for sheep.

Hard times came, and Abba Benjamin had to go far away for a while to stay safe, just as an angel had warned him. But God was watching over him the whole time. After many years, a new ruler heard about this good and gentle father and sent him a kind letter: 'Come back, do not be afraid, and take care of your people and your churches.' So Abba Benjamin came home, and the churches were given back with great honor.

Then something surprising happened. A ship was carrying the holy head of Saint Mark the Evangelist, who long ago wrote one of the four Gospels about Jesus. When the sailors tried to sail away, the ship would not move at all, not even when they pulled hard on strong ropes. That night Saint Mark appeared to Abba Benjamin in a dream and asked him to keep his holy relic safe.

So Abba Benjamin carefully took the head of Saint Mark off the ship, and right away the ship sailed off easily. Everyone was amazed. Abba Benjamin built a beautiful church and laid Saint Mark there with love. He led God's people faithfully for thirty-nine years, then died in peace.

Come back, do not be afraid, and take care of your people and your churches.

Malachi the Prophet, Whose Face Shone Like an Angel

Today we also remember Malachi, a prophet of God. A prophet listens closely to God and then tells people what God has said. Malachi was born after God's people had returned to their homeland from a faraway country.

Even as a young man, Malachi chose to live a good and gentle life, and everyone honored him for it. His face was so bright and beautiful that people called him 'Malachi,' a name that means 'angel.'

God loved Malachi very much. An angel of God would come to him at night and talk with him. Most people could only hear the angel's voice, but Malachi was able to speak with him like a friend. Through the angel, God showed Malachi things that would happen later, and Malachi wrote them down so people would be ready.

Malachi died while he was still young and was buried near his family. We thank God for this kind prophet who listened so closely and shared God's words with everyone.