Tir 20 — January 28

Saint Prochorus the Apostle

Today we remember Saint Prochorus (say it PROK-or-us). He was one of the seventy-two apostles. An apostle is a special helper that Jesus chose and sent out to tell people about God. Jesus gave these helpers the power to make sick people well and to send away anything evil, just by praying in His name.

Prochorus was in the room in the city of Zion when the Holy Spirit came to fill the apostles with joy and wisdom. He was also one of the seven kind deacons. A deacon is a helper in the church who looks after people who are poor or hungry.

Prochorus became a student of Saint John, the apostle who wrote so beautifully about Jesus. The two of them traveled together to many cities. Saint John made him a bishop, which is a leader who takes care of the churches in a whole region. Prochorus taught crowds of people to love Jesus, and he baptized them. He even built a lovely church and chose good priests and deacons to care for everyone there.

Prochorus worked for God his whole life. When he was very old, he fell asleep in peace and went home to live with God forever.

Jesus gave His helpers the power to heal the sick and to send evil away, just by praying in His name.

Saint Eclogius and the Boy Who Was Saved

Eclogius (say it ek-LOH-jus) was born to a kind, rich family in Egypt who had prayed and prayed for a baby. When God gave them this son, they were so happy! They named him Eclogius, which means "pleasant to God."

When Eclogius was about eight years old, the same age as you might be, he went to school to learn about God. Every single morning, before lessons, he stopped at church to sing and pray.

One day, riding his horse, Eclogius saw a crowd of worried people. A child had been bitten by a snake and was very, very sick. Eclogius remembered that Jesus gives His friends the power to help. So he took the child's hands, made the sign of the Cross, and prayed in the name of Jesus. Right away the child was completely well again. Everyone thanked God, and the news spread to every city.

Eclogius grew up to love God deeply. He read the whole Bible from memory and prayed day and night. The people loved him so much that they asked for him to become their priest, and he did.

Later, a ruler did not want people to love Jesus and tried to frighten Eclogius. But Eclogius was brave and said he would only ever worship Jesus. God kept him safe again and again, and even helped him pray a ruler's son back to life. In the end Eclogius gave his whole life for Jesus, staying faithful no matter what, and so he became a martyr. Jesus Himself came to comfort him and promised him three shining crowns and a happy home in heaven.

O child, be healed in the name of Jesus.— the prayer of Saint Eclogius

Peace be unto thee, My beloved. Three crowns have been prepared for thee.— the words of the Lord to Eclogius

Saint Behnu and the Church of John

Today we also remember Saint Behnu, who loved God bravely and is honored as a martyr.

We also celebrate a happy church day in the city of Rome. A beautiful church was set apart for God in honor of John, who is called the keeper of the Golden Gospel. His body was carried there with great love and singing. We say a glad hello to John on his feast day!

Abba Noah and Other Faithful Friends of God

On this day we remember Abba Noah, a faithful servant of God who spent his life in prayer. People loved to tell the stories of all that God did through him.

We also celebrate the church of Mar Mehnam, and we honor more of God's loving friends: Silvanus, Abba Nabyud of a quiet place called Scete where monks pray, and Anna Benwah. We send a kind greeting to Abba Kaluz from the city of Fant, and another greeting to Abba Nabyud.

All of these saints loved God with their whole hearts. We ask them to pray for us, so that we can be brave and kind and faithful too.