Tir 15 — January 23

Obadiah, the Humble Prophet

Today we remember Obadiah (say it: oh-buh-DY-uh), a good and holy prophet, one of the people who shared God's messages with everyone. He lived a very, very long time ago, and he helped God's people listen to God and do what was right.

Obadiah worked for a king, but one day the king sent him to find another prophet named Elijah. Two other men had been sent before him, and they were proud and unkind. But Obadiah was different. When he came to Elijah, he knelt down gently and spoke with respect. He did not act proud at all.

Because Obadiah was so humble and kind, Elijah was glad to go with him. After that, Obadiah made a big choice. He decided that serving God was the most important thing of all, even more important than working for a king. So he followed Elijah and helped him serve God.

God was pleased with Obadiah and gave him the gift of telling God's messages for more than twenty years. When he was very old, he died in peace and was buried near his family. People still remember him for his gentle, humble heart.

Serving God is more important than serving any king on earth.

Saint Gregory, the Wise Teacher

We also remember Saint Gregory, a very wise church father, one of the holy leaders who teach and guide God's people. Gregory loved to learn, and he studied so much that he became one of the smartest and kindest teachers of his time.

The other leaders saw how good and wise Gregory was, so they chose him to be a bishop, a leader who watches over many churches. Gregory did not even want the job, but he said yes anyway, and he took good care of the people God gave him.

Gregory also helped explain the Bible so people could understand it better. When some teachers were saying wrong things about God, Gregory traveled to a big meeting with many other leaders. There he spoke so clearly and so wisely that he helped everyone learn the truth about God again.

Gregory lived a long, full life, always pleasing God. When he was very old, he died in peace. People remembered him as a teacher who used his cleverness to help others love the truth.

Peter, Sophia, Admira, and Isaac

On this day we also remember four faithful friends of God: Peter, Sophia, Admira, and Isaac. We do not know many stories about them, but the Church keeps their names safe and remembers them with love.

Their names remind us that God knows and treasures every single person who loves Him, even the ones whose stories we never fully hear. God remembers them all, and so do we.

Cyriacus and His Mother Julitta

Long ago there lived a brave woman named Julitta (say it: joo-LIT-uh) who loved God with all her heart. She had a little boy named Cyriacus (say it: SEER-ee-uh-kus) who was only three years old. He was a handsome, happy child who loved God just as much as his mother did.

In those days, a powerful ruler did not want people to follow Jesus, and he tried to make Julitta and Cyriacus stop. But they would not. Even though he was so small, little Cyriacus said bravely, 'I am a Christian.' He trusted Jesus completely, and his mother was so proud of him.

The ruler was unkind to them, but again and again God protected this brave little boy and his mother. Once they were placed near a great fire, yet God kept them safe and they were not hurt at all. The people watching could hardly believe their eyes, because they could see that God was caring for them.

Jesus Himself came to comfort Cyriacus and gave him courage. In the end, Julitta and Cyriacus went home to God together, and they were never afraid, because they knew God was holding them. The Church calls them martyrs, because they stayed faithful to God even when it cost them their lives. We remember them as the brave little boy and his loving mother who trusted God all the way to heaven.

Even though he was only three, Cyriacus said, 'I am a Christian.'