Yekatit 21 — February 28

Our Lady Mary, the Mother of God

Today is a very special, happy day! We celebrate our holy Lady, the Virgin Mary. She is the mother of our Lord Jesus, and we lovingly call her the God-bearer, because she held baby Jesus, who is God, in her own arms.

Mary loved God with her whole heart. When God chose her to be the mother of Jesus, she said yes with joy and trust. She is gentle and kind and full of love, and she watches over all of God's children like a caring mother.

On this feast we sing happy songs to her and thank God for her. We ask her to pray for us, the way a child asks a loving mother for help. The whole Church smiles today, because Mary points us straight to her Son, Jesus, who loves us so much.

When we think of Mary, we want to be like her: ready to say yes to God, ready to be kind, and ready to share God's love with everyone we meet.

Salutation to thee, O Mary, thou light of life.

Abba Gabriel, the Humble Church Father

Abba Gabriel loved God from the time he was very young. He went to live in a quiet desert place called Scete, in a peaceful home where people pray together all day. A home like that is called a monastery. He prayed often, ate simply, and loved to be quiet and gentle.

Abba Gabriel was so humble that he did not want to be in charge of anything. But the people saw how good and holy he was, and they chose him to be an archbishop, a leader who watches over many churches. Even as a great leader, he kept praying just as much as before, and he never stopped being humble.

Abba Gabriel found a lovely secret: the way to grow good and strong inside is to be humble and kind, and to pray. To show his love for God, he would quietly take the hardest, dirtiest jobs that nobody else wanted, and he never asked for any thanks. God saw his loving heart and filled him with peace.

For many years Abba Gabriel taught his people to trust God, and then he rested in peace.

Abba Zachariah, the Bishop with a Sweet Voice

Zachariah was a clever boy who studied hard and learned a great deal. When he grew up, he made a promise to God: he would go and live a life of prayer in the desert of Scete with his good friend Ptolemy.

Some powerful people tried to stop the two friends from going. Zachariah and Ptolemy still meant to keep their promise to God. So one night they quietly set out, even though they did not know the way. Then a kind monk appeared and showed them the path, and God brought them safely to the monastery. God helped them keep their promise!

Later, the people chose Zachariah to be a bishop, a leader who cares for the churches in a city. On the day he was made a bishop, his face shone with a beautiful light, because God's blessing was upon him. The people were so glad that they ran out to welcome him with great joy.

Zachariah had a lovely, sweet singing voice, and he wrote many songs and lessons to help people love God. He served faithfully for many years and then rested in peace.

Why do you not finish the promise you made to God?— the voice in their dream

Saint Onesimus, the Friend Who Came Home

Onesimus worked for a kind man named Philemon. One day he made a big mistake: he took money that was not his and ran away to the city of Rome. But God had a plan for him.

In Rome, Onesimus met Saint Paul the apostle, one of Jesus' closest helpers, who went everywhere teaching people about God. When Onesimus heard Paul teach about Jesus, his heart filled up with love for God. He felt very sorry for what he had done, and he wanted to make things right.

So Paul wrote a special letter to Philemon, asking him to forgive Onesimus and welcome him back like a brother. That very letter is still in our Bible today! When Onesimus carried it home, Philemon was overjoyed and forgave him completely. What a happy ending!

Onesimus grew up to be a helper and teacher who told many people about Jesus. He stayed faithful and brave all his life, loving God right to the very end. He showed us that when we are truly sorry, God forgives us and gives us a fresh start.

Fear not, neither let thy heart be sorrowful.— Saint Paul to Onesimus

Abba Peter, Bishop of Damascus

Today we also remember Abba Peter, the bishop of a city called Damascus. A bishop lovingly looks after the churches and the people of a city.

Abba Peter served God and his people faithfully. We thank God for him and ask him to pray for us.

Abba 'Akyos and Abba Gabriel of Ethiopia

On this day we remember two more holy fathers as well: Abba 'Akyos, and Abba Gabriel, who served as a bishop in Ethiopia, caring for the churches there.

They both loved God and served his people. We thank God for them and ask them to pray for us today.