Yekatit 5 — February 12

Abba Akrepinu, the Kind Bishop

Abba Akrepinu (say it AK-reh-pee-noo) was a holy, gentle man who loved God with all his heart. He lived in a big city called Alexandria, where he served as a priest, leading the people in prayer and helping them learn about God.

When the bishop before him went home to God, all the people chose Akrepinu to be their new archbishop, the leader who looks after many churches at once. He taught everyone, grown-ups and little ones alike, how to follow Jesus and live good lives.

Akrepinu did not care about money or fancy things. He ate only when he was hungry, and he wore clothes only to keep warm. He read the Bible to his people again and again, and at night he stayed awake to pray for them. He took care of God's people for twelve years, and then he died in peace.

He only ate because he was hungry, and he dressed only to keep warm — because he loved God more than nice things.

Abba Besoy, Who Was Called Peter

Abba Besoy (say it BEH-soy) lived in Egypt. When he was a young man, he did not live a good life. He ate and drank too much and forgot all about God.

Then Besoy became very, very sick. As he lay there, God helped him see that the way he was living was hurting both himself and other people. Besoy was so sorry that he cried. He lifted his eyes to heaven and made a big promise to God.

He said, "O my Lord and God, if You make me well, I will turn away from doing wrong and worship You with all my heart." And right away God made him completely better.

Besoy kept his promise. He went to a monastery and became a monk, giving his days to quiet prayer. For many, many years he prayed and fasted, and he grew so wise that people all over Egypt heard about him. He even wrote teachings to help others love God. He served God faithfully for thirty-five years, and then he died in peace.

O my Lord and God, if You make me well, I will worship You with all my heart.— Abba Besoy's promise to God

Abba Nob with the Golden Fan

There was also a holy father named Nob, known for a special golden fan that he carried. Long ago, a fan like this was used to keep the holy things at the altar clean and to honor God.

Nob could also chase away wild animals, keeping both people and creatures safe. We thank God for this kind, brave servant.

Abba Eblo, Like an Angel

There was a holy father named Abba Eblo, so good and gentle that people said he was like an angel of God.

His whole story is told on another day, the twenty-fifth day of the month of Tekemt. Today we simply say hello to him with joy and thank God for his life.

The Forty-Nine Holy Elders of Scete

Long ago, in a quiet desert place called Scete, there lived forty-nine holy elders. They were monks who prayed together at the monastery of Abba Macarius, their peaceful shared home of prayer. These faithful friends loved God so much that they stayed true to Him to the very end of their lives.

On this day, their holy bones were carefully carried to a special cave built just for them, so people could come, remember them, and thank God. A kind man named Benyami looked after the place. We thank God for these forty-nine faithful friends who never stopped loving Him.

Saint Abulidis, Bishop of Rome

There was also Saint Abulidis (say it ah-boo-LEE-dis), an archbishop in the great city of Rome.

His full story is told on the sixth day of this month. For now, we say hello to him and thank God for this good shepherd of His people.

Abba 'Ebelo, the Shepherd God Forgave

When Abba 'Ebelo (say it EH-beh-loh) was young, he made many bad choices and did many wrong things, and for a long time he forgot all about God. Then one day he saw how much he had hurt others, and his heart broke. He was so sorry that he cried and cried.

'Ebelo left everything behind and walked far into the desert to be alone with God. He had no house and no bread. He lived on almost nothing, and day and night he prayed the same humble prayer, asking God to forgive him. He kept praying like this for forty whole years.

All that time, 'Ebelo believed something very important: that God is kind, and that nobody is ever too far away to come home to Him.

After forty years, God sent a holy desert monk to comfort 'Ebelo. The monk brought him the news he had longed to hear: "Do not be afraid. God has forgiven you." Just then a sweet smell filled the air, and an angel of God appeared, shining brightly. The angel sang a happy song from the Bible and placed Holy Communion in 'Ebelo's hand.

When 'Ebelo received this gift from God, his tired body turned as white and clean as fresh snow. He and the monk rejoiced and praised God all day long. Soon after, 'Ebelo gently went home to be with God forever, and the angels carried his soul up to heaven.

The desert monk was sad, for he was too old to bury his friend. But God sent help in a surprising way. Two gentle lions came, dug a grave, and carefully laid Abba 'Ebelo to rest. God wanted everyone to know 'Ebelo's story, so that anyone who has done wrong would never give up hope, but would remember how much God loves to forgive.

I have done wrong; please forgive me, for You are God and a good Father. There is no one without mistakes, and God is never without mercy.— Abba 'Ebelo's prayer

The Family of Abba 'Ebelo

We remember Abba 'Ebelo's family too, whose names were Banwa, Bula, 'Amoni, and 'Esia.

We thank God for families who love Him, and we ask all these holy friends to pray for us.