Yekatit 19 — February 26

Saint Martianus, the Gentle Monk

Today we remember a holy man named Saint Martianus (say it like "Mar-shee-AH-nus"). He was a monk, which means he lived a quiet life of prayer and tried to stay close to God every single day.

Martianus loved God dearly, and he wanted to spend his whole life praying and doing good. He worked hard to keep his heart clean and kind, the way God likes.

One day a woman came to Martianus. She had not lived a good life, and at first she only wanted to lead him into doing wrong too. But Martianus was strong and wise. Instead of letting her pull him away from God, he gently helped her turn back to God. With patience and love, he showed her that God was waiting to welcome her home.

The woman listened. She was sorry for the wrong she had done, and she chose a brand new life: a quiet life of prayer, just like the monks. Turning away from wrong and coming back to God like that is called repentance. What a happy ending! One kind person had helped another find her way home to God.

After that, Martianus traveled to many cities to pray and to teach. When he reached the city of Athens at last, he grew a little sick, and there he fell asleep in God. That is a soft, gentle way of saying he died and went home to be with God.

He did not let her lead him away. Instead, he gently brought her back to God.

Bringing Saint Martianus Home with Joy

Many years later, a good and kind church leader named Saint Demetrius became the archbishop of the city of Antioch. As archbishop, he watched over all the churches there.

Saint Demetrius had heard about the holy monk Martianus, and he wanted to honor him. So he sent priests all the way to Athens, where Martianus was resting. Carefully and lovingly, the priests carried Saint Martianus back to Antioch. Moving a saint's body to a special, honored resting place like this is called a translation.

It was a happy, beautiful journey. All along the way, the people sang psalms and hymns to thank God. (A psalm is a song or prayer from the Bible.) When they reached Antioch, Saint Demetrius welcomed Martianus with great love. He laid him safely in the church and held a joyful feast in his honor. That feast is today!

A famous teacher named Saint John once wrote beautiful words of praise about Saint Demetrius. People called this teacher "the Mouth of Gold," because everything he said about God was so good and so true. Today we say a happy hello to Saint Demetrius and to the bringing-home of Saint Martianus.

They carried Saint Martianus home with great honor, singing psalms and hymns and thanking God along the way.