Yekatit 3 — February 10

Jacob the Monk, Who Came Back to God

Jacob loved God so much that, while he was still young, he went to live all alone in a cave, a quiet hollow in the rocks. He prayed there for fifteen years. His days were full of praying, singing to God, and going without food so his heart could grow strong. A person who lives this quiet life of prayer is called a monk.

But one day Jacob did some very wrong things. Afterward he felt so sad and so ashamed that he nearly gave up hoping. "Maybe God could never love me again," he thought. He even walked away from his quiet cave, feeling lost.

God did not want Jacob to feel that way. God sent a kind monk to meet Jacob on the road. The kind monk hugged him and told him something every one of us needs to hear when we have done wrong.

So Jacob went back to his cave with hope in his heart. He prayed and told God he was sorry for many, many years. And God forgave him completely.

One year no rain fell, and the people had no food. God told the bishop, the leader of the churches, "The rain will come when Jacob prays." Jacob did not feel good enough, but he obeyed. He prayed with tears, and before he even finished, the rain came pouring down. That was God's way of saying, "Jacob, I have forgiven you. I love you." Jacob lived to be very old and happy, and he died in peace, safe in God's arms.

Do not be afraid, and never give up hope, for God is kind and full of mercy.— the kind monk to Jacob

Abba Ephraim the Syrian

The church also remembers Abba Ephraim, who came from a land called Syria, which is why people call him Ephraim the Syrian. He wrote many gentle songs and prayers to praise God, and people still sing some of his words today.

Long after Ephraim had gone home to God, his friends carefully carried his body to a special resting place, to keep it safe and to honor him. Moving a saint's body in this loving way has a name. It is called a "translation." It was a happy day of thanksgiving. Everyone remembered how much Ephraim had loved God, and how his songs still help people pray. Thank You, God, for Ephraim and the words he gave us.

Abba Ebelo and the Great Tree

Abba Ebelo (say it: EB-eh-lo) was a holy leader of monks. Two famous church fathers, Athanasius and Basil, were once talking about who was the greatest of all the holy people. While they were wondering, God gave them both the very same dream, on the very same night.

In the dream they saw a giant tree. Its roots went all the way down to the river, and its branches reached up to heaven. Many people rested safely under its branches, and in the middle stood a holy altar where angels came to visit. Then the angel Michael came down from heaven and told them what the dream meant.

The angel said the great tree was the monastery of Abba Ebelo, his quiet home of prayer, and the branches were all his monks. That is how everyone learned what a special man Abba Ebelo was.

God did many kind things through Abba Ebelo. A woman who was very sick was made well again. A man who could not see well came to him and went away full of joy. Best of all, Jesus Himself, with His helpers and His angels, once came to show the monks exactly where to build their church.

When it was time for Abba Ebelo to go home to God, his face shone bright like an angel's, and a sweet smell filled the air. He comforted his sad friends. "Do not be afraid," he said. "I am only saying goodbye." Then he gently prayed, "My Lord Jesus, receive me," and he went peacefully to heaven.

Do not be afraid — I am only saying goodbye.— Abba Ebelo to his monks

Zenon, Who Prayed and a Child Awoke

Zenon (say it: ZEE-non) was a holy man who loved to pray. One day he was visiting an old, holy friend, and the two of them sat together, sharing happy stories of all that God had done.

While they talked, a kind man came to bring the old friend some bread and water. But something very sad had happened to him that day. His little boy had stopped breathing and lay still, asleep in a way that would not wake. The father gently set the boy down in front of the two holy men and begged them to pray.

Zenon knelt and prayed to God, who made the whole world and is full of kindness and mercy. The moment he finished, the little boy woke up and began to cry. He was alive and well, given back to his mother and father. What a joyful day!

The father wanted to tell everyone, but Zenon did not want people making a big fuss over him. He quietly slipped away to keep praying and serving God in his own simple home. Zenon shows us that God hears our prayers, and that the best thing of all is to love Him quietly, with our whole heart.

O Lord, Keeper of the whole world, kind and full of mercy, here is the gift Your poor servants bring to You.— the prayer of Zenon