Tir 14 — January 22

Mehrael, the Brave Young Girl

A long time ago, a kind priest named John and his wife Hilaria wanted a child very much. They prayed and prayed to God. After a while, God gave them a beautiful baby girl, and they named her Mehrael (say it: meh-rah-EL). They were so happy!

Mehrael loved God with her whole heart. By the time she was twelve, God's Holy Spirit was helping her show people His love in surprising ways. The Holy Spirit is God Himself, living in the hearts of those who love Him.

In those days a cruel ruler did not want anyone to follow Jesus. But Mehrael was not afraid to say out loud that she loved God. A kind governor even tried to let her go free, because she was so young. Still, Mehrael bravely told everyone that she would never stop loving Jesus.

Mehrael stayed faithful to God right to the very end, and she became a martyr, a person who keeps loving God even when it costs them their life. An angel of God came to her with a happy promise, and then she went home to heaven to be with God forever. Her mother and father carried her gently home, and built a beautiful little place to remember her. There, God did many kind miracles to help people.

An angel of God appeared, and gave her a promise.

The Faithful Soldiers

Today we also remember a large group of brave soldiers. They were friends of two other saints named Cyriacus and Julitta.

These soldiers loved God so much that they would not stop following Him, no matter what anyone told them. They stayed faithful together, like good friends helping each other be brave. They became martyrs for Jesus, and now they are all together with God in heaven.

It can be easier to be brave when we have friends beside us. These soldiers remind us to help our friends do what is good and right.

Archilides, Who Kept His Promise to God

Archilides (say it: ar-KIL-i-deez) was a boy from the great city of Rome. His parents, John and Sandalika, loved God and lived good lives. When Archilides was twelve, his father died, and his mother sent him on a long trip across the sea.

While he was sailing, a big storm came and the ship broke apart. But God kept Archilides safe! He held onto a piece of wood, and it carried him gently to dry land. When he reached the shore, Archilides thought about how much he loved God, and he decided to give his whole life to prayer.

He walked until he came to a monastery, a quiet home where people pray together, and there he became a monk and gave his days to prayer. Archilides prayed day and night, and God gave him a special gift: when he prayed, sick people got better! People came from far away, and God healed them.

Archilides had made a special promise to God about how he would live. For many years his mother thought he was lost. Then one day she heard travelers talking about a holy man, and she knew it was her son! She traveled to find him. Archilides prayed, and God gently took him home to heaven, and then took his loving mother home too. The monks buried mother and son together, and God did many kind miracles to heal sick people there.

After I am dead I shall return to dust. What have I to do with the riches of this passing world?— Saint Archilides

'Emrais, Who Left Her Water Jar

'Emrais (say it: EM-rays) was a young girl whose parents loved Jesus and taught her to love God too. She grew up gentle and kind.

One day she walked down to the river to fill her water jar. On the way, she saw a group of God's faithful people who were being kept prisoner just because they loved Jesus. 'Emrais felt brave in her heart. She set down her water jar and asked to join them, because she wanted to stand with people who loved God.

A cruel ruler tried to talk her out of it, but 'Emrais would not stop loving Jesus. She stayed faithful and became a martyr, together with her new friends. She remembered that loving God is the most important thing of all.

Maximus, Faithful from His Youth

Today we also remember a saint named Maximus, who was the brother of Saint Damatheus. The two brothers loved God together.

Maximus worked hard to follow God all the way from when he was young. The Synaxarium tells the longer story of Maximus and his brother on another day, the seventeenth of this month. Today we simply thank God for Maximus, who shows us that we can begin loving and serving God even when we are still young.

'Abdeyu, the Follower of Elijah

Last of all, we remember a faithful man named 'Abdeyu (say it: ab-DAY-oo). He followed the example of Elijah, a great prophet from the Bible, one of the people God chose to speak His words to everyone.

Just as Elijah trusted God with his whole heart, 'Abdeyu trusted God too. He reminds us that we can learn how to be brave and faithful by following the good people who lived before us. Thank You, God, for these holy friends who show us the way to You.