Yekatit 14 — February 21

Abba Severus, the Brave Teacher

Long before Severus was born, his grandfather had a dream. In the dream, someone told him that one day a boy in his family would teach God's true faith, and that this boy would be named Severus too. That dream came true!

When Severus grew up, he studied very hard. He learned many subjects, and then he learned all about God and the Church. One day, while he was traveling, a holy man he had never met greeted him by name and said he would become a great teacher. Severus was amazed that a stranger somehow already knew who he was.

Severus gave himself to a monk's life of quiet prayer. He prayed so much and lived so kindly that people everywhere heard about him. When the leader of the great city of Antioch died, everyone agreed that Severus should be the new archbishop, the one who watches over many churches.

Later a new ruler did not like Severus, because Severus would not change what he believed about God. A good queen named Theodora, who loved God too, warned him to slip away quietly so he would be safe. God kept him safe for a long time. Severus traveled from town to town, helping people stay strong in their faith and healing and blessing many in God's name, until he went home to God in peace.

The city which is built upon a hill cannot be hid.— Matthew 5:14

Abba Jacob and the Sleeping Boy

Abba Jacob was a kind archbishop in the great city of Alexandria. In his days, quiet prayer-homes called monasteries that had stood empty were repaired, and the monks came back to live and pray in them. That made everyone glad.

One day a man named Macarius asked Abba Jacob to come and bless his house. But Macarius was very sad, because his only son had grown sick and died. He carried the boy to Abba Jacob and begged him, "Please pray to God for me."

Abba Jacob held the boy gently in his arms. He made the sign of the Cross over him and prayed to God with all his heart. Then the boy opened his eyes and sat up, alive and well. Abba Jacob smiled and gave him back to his father.

The father was filled with joy and a holy kind of wonder. To thank God, he gave half of everything he owned to people who were poor, and he had a church built far away, so travelers would have a safe and welcoming place to rest. Abba Jacob led God's people for many years and then died in peace.

Take your son. He was not dead, but sleeping.— Abba Jacob

Four Faithful Friends

Four more of God's faithful friends are remembered today: Darius, Paul, Akudures, and Sedna. We do not have long stories about them, but the Church holds their names with love.

They loved God and stayed close to Him. We can ask them to pray for us, and we can try to be faithful friends of God too, just like they were.

Abba Cyril and the Rule of Prayer

Abba Cyril came from a place called the Fayyum. He became a priest there, and then he went to live at a monastery outside the city, where he prayed and worked hard for God for many years.

People heard how wise and holy Cyril was. They wanted him as their leader so much that they chose him to be the Archbishop of Alexandria, even though he was happy living quietly. Cyril took good care of God's people, like a shepherd watching over his sheep.

Abba Cyril also wrote down a helpful guidebook, so priests would know just what to do when they prayed and served in church. That way everyone could worship God in a beautiful, orderly way. After several years of leading the Church, Abba Cyril died in peace, loved by all.