Yekatit 11 — February 18

Belanteyanos, the Brave Archbishop

Belanteyanos (say it: beh-lan-tee-AH-nos) was a wise and kind church leader. As archbishop of the great city of Rome, he looked after many churches at once. For twelve happy years he watched over God's people in peace.

He loved to teach. He showed people how good and beautiful it is to follow God, and he helped them trust God with all their hearts. Everyone could see how much he loved Jesus.

In those days a ruler did not want people to follow God. He wanted everyone to bow down to idols, which are statues that some people pray to instead of praying to the one true God. Belanteyanos would never do that. He knew that God alone should be worshiped.

The ruler tried hard to change Belanteyanos's mind, but the saint stayed faithful and would not bow to the idols. Wicked men hurt him, and at last he gave his life for God. That is why we call him a martyr. Belanteyanos was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to heaven to be with God forever. We say a loving hello to Saint Belanteyanos!

He taught the people the beauty of following God, and he stayed faithful to the very end.

Eulogius, the Friend of Lions

Eulogius (say it: yoo-LOH-jee-us) grew up in a family that had lots of gold and silver. They taught him all about God and the church. When his parents died, they left him a great pile of money.

One day Eulogius remembered words Jesus said in the Bible: sell what you have, give to the poor, and follow Me. So that is exactly what he did. He gave everything he owned to people who were poor, and then he went to live at a monastery, a quiet home where people pray together. A holy teacher named Awgin was waiting for him. God had told Awgin in a dream that a good young man was coming.

Eulogius loved to pray. Year after year, day and night, he prayed. Then he went to live alone in the desert, in a tiny room called a cell, so he could be quiet with God. And God sent him a surprise: two big lions to be his helpers and friends. The lions brought him everything he needed.

Once, when Eulogius was sick and wanted warm water, a lion gently carried a shepherd over to help him, then carried him safely back home. The shepherd told everyone, 'I have found a holy man!' People came from all around, and God healed their sick friends through Eulogius's prayers.

God worked through him again and again. Once a little boy was so frightened that he stopped breathing. Eulogius prayed, and the boy came back to life, safe and well. When at last Eulogius grew old and went home to God, his loyal lions stayed near his resting place for a long time. We say a happy hello to Eulogius, the friend of lions!

Sell all you have and give to the poor, and take up My cross, and come, follow Me.— Matthew 16:24

Abraham, Kanti, and Makabis

Three more friends of God are remembered today: Abraham, a bishop who cared for God's people; a faithful man named Kanti; and Makabis, who lived a quiet life of prayer as a monk.

We do not have long stories about them, but God knows each one by name. They loved God and served Him well, and the church thanks God for them. We ask these kind saints to pray for us too.

Abba Patra, Who Lived Gently

Abba Patra (say it: PAH-trah) was a student of a holy man named Sylvanus. He lived in a little cell on a quiet mountain, praying and learning to follow God. Each evening he ate just enough to keep his body strong and healthy.

Later, the people made him their bishop, the leader who cares for God's people. Along the way he learned something wise. To keep serving God and others, he had to take good care of his own body too. He loved God and prayed with all his heart every day of his life.

When Abba Patra grew old, God called him gently home to heaven. We say a thankful hello to Abba Patra!