Yekatit 13 — February 20

Saint Sergius and His Family

Sergius (say it SUR-jee-us) was a young man who loved Jesus with his whole heart. His father was named Theodore and his mother was named Mary, and they all loved God together.

When Sergius was twenty years old, he did a brave thing. He went to the ruler of the land and said, right out loud for all to hear, that he believed in our Lord Jesus Christ. The ruler did not like this and was unkind to him. But God sent His angels to comfort Sergius and make him strong again.

Other faithful people were brave too. A kind priest named Abba Masun, along with two helpers called deacons, also told everyone they loved Jesus. A deacon is a helper in the church. When the watching crowd grew sad and worried, the priest turned to them and gave them courage with gentle words.

Sergius stayed faithful to God, even when it cost him his life. That is what makes someone a martyr: loving God no matter what. The angels carried Sergius and his family home to heaven, where there is no more hurting, only joy. A little child who was there even saw the angels lifting them up to God!

Be strong in the True Faith of our Lord Christ.— Abba Masun the priest

Saint Eusebius, Rescued by the Angels

Eusebius (say it yoo-SEE-bee-us) was a young man who loved God more than anything. He had a wise sister named Eulophia. His family wanted him to live only for himself, but he chose to give his whole life to God instead, praying and reading the Bible every day.

Some powerful people were unkind to Eusebius and tried to hurt him, because he would not do what was wrong. Eusebius prayed and trusted God. He remembered how God once rescued Daniel from the lions, and he asked God to rescue him too.

And God did. He sent the great angels Michael and Gabriel to keep Eusebius safe, and the angel Uriel carried him up to heaven for a little while. Then God brought him back to earth, where he lived for forty more years.

In all those years Eusebius told thousands upon thousands of people about Jesus, and they came to love God too. God made him a beautiful promise: He would forgive and help everyone who remembers Eusebius and calls on God's name.

O my Lord God, deliver Thou Thy servant, for besides Thee I have no other helper.— the prayer of Saint Eusebius

Philemon the Musician

Philemon (say it fy-LEE-mon) was a musician who played for a ruler named Arianus. One day Philemon stood up in front of everyone and said, bravely, "I am a Christian, and I believe in Christ!"

Philemon wanted very much to be baptized. Baptism is the special washing that makes us part of God's family. So he prayed. A bright cloud of light came down from heaven and baptized him right where he stood. God had heard his wish.

The ruler tried to frighten Philemon, but Philemon was not afraid. He said he could see God's angels rejoicing over him. He stayed faithful to Jesus to the very end and went home to God as a martyr. And here is the happy part: even Arianus, the ruler who had been so unkind, came to believe in Christ too. God can change any heart.

Abba Timothy the Archbishop

Abba Timothy was the thirty-second archbishop of the great city of Alexandria, the leader who watched over many churches and all of God's people there.

He traveled with another good leader, Abba Severus, going from city to city and from one monastery to the next. A monastery is a quiet home where people pray together. Everywhere they went, they helped people stay strong and happy in their faith.

In those days some people were teaching things about Jesus that were not true. Abba Timothy taught the true faith gently but firmly, so God's people would not grow confused. He guided the church faithfully for many, many years, and then he died in peace, resting safely with God.

Theodore and His Friends

Three more faithful friends of God belong to this day: Theodore, the son of Basilides, and two holy men named Abba Kaphes and Abba Hephes.

Like the other saints of this day, they loved Jesus and stayed true to Him with all their hearts. They are happy forever now in heaven with God, and we thank God for their brave love.

The Birth of Victor

Today brings one more happy thing to celebrate: the birthday of a saint named Victor. A birthday is always a glad day to remember.

Victor grew up to be a faithful saint who loved God. The Synaxarium even calls him "Victor the sun," because his life shone bright and warm, like sunshine, for everyone to see. We thank God for the happy day Victor was born.