Yekatit 6 — February 13

Abba Abulidis, the Teacher of the Whole World

Today we remember a kind, clever man named Abba Abulidis (say it: ah-boo-LEE-dis). He came from an important family, and he loved to learn. God chose him to be the archbishop of the great city of Rome, the leader who watches over many churches at once.

Abba Abulidis spent his days teaching God's people. He helped them know what is true, and he made their faith strong, like a house built on solid rock. People all over the world listened to him, and that is why he is called the teacher of the whole world.

A powerful but unkind ruler did not want him to keep teaching about Jesus. The ruler hurt Abba Abulidis and threw him into the Red Sea. But Abba Abulidis was not afraid, for he knew he was going home to God. The very next day, a day just like today, God let his body be found floating gently on the water, and a kind believer carried him home and cared for him tenderly.

Abba Abulidis also wrote many lessons about Jesus and about loving God. He even wrote thirty-eight rules to help churches stay healthy and good. Those lessons are still kept safe in churches all around the world today. What he taught did not disappear. It lives on!

He taught God's people what is true, and made their faith strong.

A Faithful Family Who Loved God Together

Today we also remember a whole family who loved God with all their hearts. There was a gentle monk named Abukir (say it: ah-BOO-keer), who had prayed to God since he was a boy and spent his days in quiet prayer. There was a brave soldier named John. And there was a mother named Athanasia with her three daughters: Theodora, Theophana, and Theodosia.

Their names have lovely meanings! Theodora means "Gift of God," Theophana means "Faith of God," Theodosia means "Praise of God," and Athanasia means "Life that never dies." What beautiful names for a family who loved Jesus!

When a ruler asked them whether they followed Jesus, they bravely said yes. They were not afraid to tell the truth. The mother gently encouraged her daughters, reminding them that they belonged to Jesus, the true King, and that He would always hold them close.

These faithful friends stayed loving and true to God to the very end, and they went home to be with Him forever. Later, the people who loved them built a church in their honor. People who were sick or sad would come there, pray, and go home full of joy. God turned a hard story into a place of help and hope.

Theodora means "Gift of God," Theophana means "Faith of God," Theodosia means "Praise of God," and Athanasia means "Life that never dies."

Mary, Who Was Forgiven and Loved Jesus

Long ago there was a woman named Mary who had made many wrong choices and lived in a way that did not please God. One day she stood looking at herself in a mirror, all dressed up, when a quiet, good thought slipped into her heart. She remembered that life is short, and she began to think about God.

Then she heard the very thing she needed to hear. Jesus welcomes anyone who comes to Him, and He would forgive her. The news filled her with hope. So she took all her money and bought a beautiful jar of sweet-smelling perfume.

She went to find Jesus while He was eating dinner at a house. She knelt down at His feet and poured the lovely perfume on them. She was so sorry and so thankful that she cried, and her tears washed His feet, and she dried them with her own hair.

Jesus saw how much she loved Him. He told her that all her wrong choices were forgiven, and He said that people should always remember her kindness when they share the good news about Him. From that day on, Mary stayed close to Jesus and helped Him. Her story reminds us that it is never too late to turn to God — He is always ready to forgive and to love us.

When Jesus saw how much she loved Him, He forgave all her wrongs.