Tir 30 — February 07

Faith, Hope, Love, and Their Mother Wisdom

Long ago in a city called Antioch lived a kind mother named Sophia. Her name means "Wisdom." God gave her three little daughters, and she gave them beautiful names too: Pistis means "Faith," Elpis means "Hope," and Agapis means "Love."

Sophia taught her girls to pray and to love God with all their hearts. She wanted them to be brave and good, so she took them to the big city of Rome and told them all about Jesus.

A ruler named Arianus did not love God. He wanted the three girls to bow down to a statue instead of worshipping the one true God. But their mother gently held them close and said sweet, strong words to help them be brave.

Faith was twelve, Hope was ten, and Love was only nine. Yet not one of them was afraid. They told the ruler kindly but firmly that they belonged to Jesus and would never stop loving Him.

Wicked men tried to frighten the girls, but God watched over them. When they were put near fire, God kept them cool and safe, like fresh morning dew. Many people who were watching saw God's care and began to believe in Jesus too!

In the end, the three sisters gave their lives rather than turn away from Jesus, and they went home to be with God forever. People who stay true to God like that are called martyrs (say it MAR-ter). Their mother Sophia hugged them goodbye, prayed, and soon God lovingly took her home to be with her daughters again. Now Faith, Hope, Love, and Wisdom are all together with God, happy forever.

Be strong, my daughters, so that one day you may live with Jesus in the great wedding feast of heaven.— Sophia, to her daughters

Abba Minas, the Caring Archbishop

On this day we also remember a holy man named Abba Minas. He was an archbishop in the great city of Alexandria, which means a church leader who takes care of many churches and many people.

Abba Minas had a hard job, and many troubles came to him. But he never gave up. He kept praying, kept doing what was right, and gently watched over God's people, the way a good shepherd watches over his sheep.

For nine years he loved and protected everyone God had given him to care for. Then, when his work was done, he died in peace, resting safely in God's arms. We give a loving greeting to Abba Minas.

Saint Thecla and Her Four Friends

Today we remember a brave woman named Thecla and four other young women who loved God with her. Their names were Maria, Martha, her helper, and Abeya.

A ruler told them to bow down to the sun instead of worshipping God. But these five friends would never do that. They loved Jesus too much! Even when they were treated unkindly, they stayed calm and strong and did not stop trusting God.

There was a man named Pola who once knew about God but let his love of money grow bigger than his love for what was right. The ruler tricked him with promises of gold. Sadly, Pola made wrong choices and turned away from God.

The five faithful women, though, never turned away. They held on tightly to Jesus right to the end, and they went home to live with God forever. They show us that being faithful is far more precious than any treasure. We send a loving greeting to Thecla and her four friends.

Saint Irene and the Dove with the Olive Branch

Saint Irene was a princess. Her father was a powerful ruler who worshipped statues, but her mother loved God. Her parents built her a tall tower with twelve friends to keep her company, and there she lived for a long time.

One day Irene looked toward the rising sun and saw something wonderful: a dove flew in carrying an olive branch in its beak and laid it down for her. Her wise teacher told her the dove and the branch were a sign from God, gently calling her to be baptized and to follow Jesus.

God sent His angel to tell Irene to be strong and full of courage. Soon a teacher named Timothy came and baptized her in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Irene's heart was full of joy because now she belonged to Jesus.

When her father found out, he was angry. But through Irene's prayers, God showed His power so clearly that her father and many other people came to believe in Jesus. Three thousand people were baptized!

Again and again, rulers tried to frighten Irene. Once she was lowered into a pit, but God kept her safe. Another time she was put into a fire, and she walked out unharmed. The man who saw it believed in Jesus too! God healed sick people through her and gave her courage every single day.

Irene traveled and told everyone about Jesus, and a huge crowd — more people than you could count — came to love God because of her. At last she was gently carried up to the beautiful garden of heaven, to rest with God forever. We greet kind Saint Irene.

Be strong, and of good courage, and put on strength.— the angel, to Irene

Gregory the Theologian

On this day we also remember Saint Gregory the Theologian. A theologian (say it thee-OL-oh-jin) is someone who knows and teaches deep, beautiful things about God.

Gregory loved God so much that he spent his life thinking about Him, praying to Him, and helping other people understand how good and loving God is. We thank God for wise teachers like Gregory who help us know Him better.

Abba Christopher and the Shining Lamps

Abba Christopher was a monk. (A monk is someone who lives a quiet life of prayer.) He lived near the Jordan River and prayed to God every day.

When Abba Christopher was young, he would go to the church at night and pray on every step, again and again, for many years. He worked hard to grow close to God.

One day God showed him something beautiful. He saw two helpers in shining white clothes caring for a row of lamps. Some lamps were bright and glowing, and some were dark. Abba Christopher asked why. The helpers told him a wonderful secret: the lamp of the person who loves their brothers and sisters stays burning bright!

Then they told him, "Your lamp is shining, because you love the people around you." Abba Christopher kept loving God and loving others all his long life, and at last he died in peace. This story reminds us that loving other people keeps our hearts shining bright for God.

The lamp of the person who loves his brother keeps on burning.

The Faithful Who Ran to Safety

On this day we also remember good and faithful people who, long ago, had to run away from their homes to stay safe and to keep loving God.

Leaving home can be scary, but God was with them the whole way and never let them go. We thank God for taking care of His friends wherever they go, and we remember these brave, faithful people with love.