Yekatit 20 — February 27

Saint Peter II, the Brave Shepherd of Alexandria

Today we remember a kind and brave church father named Saint Peter. He was the 21st pope of the great city of Alexandria. A pope is the chief bishop, the main shepherd who watches over all of God's people in a place.

Peter became that shepherd right after another famous and holy father, Saint Athanasius. It was a big job, and Peter wanted to do it well. He loved Jesus, and he loved teaching people the true faith.

But those were hard years. There were some people called the Arians who believed wrong things about Jesus. They would not agree that Jesus is truly God. They were unkind to Peter and made trouble in the church, and for a while Peter even had to hide to stay safe.

Through it all, Peter stayed brave and faithful and kept teaching what was true. He guided his people and comforted them, like a good shepherd who never leaves his sheep, even when the road is hard. He cared for them as their pope for about eight years.

Then, after all that faithful work, Peter died in peace, around the year 380. He showed us that we can be brave and gentle at the same time, and that God stays close to us even on hard days.

A good shepherd stays with his sheep, even when the road is hard.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.— John 10:11

Saints Basil, Theodore, and Timothy

Today we also remember three faithful friends of God: Basil, Theodore, and Timothy. They lived in that same great city, Alexandria.

These three loved Jesus with all their hearts, and they stayed true to Him right to the end of their lives. That is why we remember them as martyrs, friends who held on to God no matter what it cost them.

We thank God for friends who help each other be brave and keep loving Him.