Yekatit 12 — February 19

Saint Michael the Archangel and Brave Samson

Today is a happy feast day! Every month we remember the glorious Saint Michael the Archangel, one of the very greatest angels who serve God. Saint Michael is God's strong helper, and he loves to come to the aid of people who trust in God.

Long, long ago there lived a man named Samson. God made Samson the strongest man who ever lived. Some people called the Philistines wanted to hurt him, but God sent Saint Michael to stand beside him and keep him safe. With God's strength, Samson set his people free.

One day Samson was so tired and thirsty that he felt he could not go on. Then Saint Michael appeared and made him strong again. Cool, fresh water sprang up from the ground so Samson could drink, and he felt happy and full of life once more.

Later some unkind people tricked Samson and took away his sight, so he could no longer see. But Samson prayed to God, and Saint Michael came again to give him strength. God never forgot Samson, not even for a moment.

When we are tired, scared, or feeling all alone, we can remember this: God sees us, and He sends His angels to help us, just as He helped Samson. We say with joy, Salutation to Michael!

When Samson was tired and thirsty, Saint Michael came and made him strong again, and God gave him cool water to drink.

Abba Gelasius and the Book That Came Home

We also remember a holy father named Gelasius (say it: jeh-LAY-shus). His mother and father loved God, and they taught him all about the Church. When he grew up, he gave his life to quiet prayer as a monk. He prayed and fasted and helped everyone, even though he was the leader. He never acted as if he were better than anyone. He served them all like a kind helper.

Gelasius loved God's Word so much that he wrote out a whole big Bible by hand, copying every single word. It took a long time and cost a lot of money. He laid the finished book on the church altar so any monk who wished could come, read it, and be comforted.

One day a visiting monk saw the lovely book and took it without asking. He went to the city to sell it. But the man who wanted to buy it brought it to Gelasius first. Gelasius knew it was his own stolen book, yet he gently said, "Buy it, it is a good book." He did not get angry or accuse anyone.

When the monk who took the book heard how kind and forgiving Gelasius was, his heart grew sad and sorry. He hurried back, knelt down, and said he was sorry. Gelasius forgave him with all his heart. Because Gelasius was so gentle, the man's heart was made new. After a long life of loving God, Gelasius died in peace. Salutation to Gelasius!

Buy it, for it is a good book, and the price is little.— Abba Gelasius

Remembering Derkalas

We remember one more saint today, named Derkalas, who is sometimes called Dereskal. No long story about this holy person comes down to us, but the Church still loves and remembers Derkalas.

Even when we do not know all the details, every saint had a heart that loved God. We can thank God for all His faithful friends, the ones we know lots about and the ones we know only by name. God knows each of them, and He never forgets a single one.