Yekatit 24 — March 03

Saint Agapetus, the Gentle Soldier

Agapetus (say it: ah-gah-PEE-tus) grew up in a family that loved God. His mother and father taught him all about the Church, and he grew up to be a deacon, one of the helpers in the church. When he was older, he went to live in a monastery, a quiet home where people pray together. There he learned to pray and to wait, and he became very patient. The old monks were like his teachers, and he loved to help them.

Agapetus prayed so much that God gave him a special gift. When he prayed, things changed. A girl had been sick for many years, and when he prayed for her, she got well. Once he prayed and kept people safe from a great big snake. Many other sick people felt better after he prayed for them, too.

One day a ruler heard how strong and good Agapetus was, and made him join the army, even though Agapetus did not want to. So Agapetus became a soldier, but he kept praying every day. Soon a kind new emperor named Constantine became the ruler. A young man Constantine loved very much was sick and troubled by an evil spirit. Someone said, "Agapetus can help you!" So Agapetus prayed and made the sign of the holy Cross, and the young man was healed. God is always stronger than anything bad.

The happy emperor said, "Ask me for anything!" All Agapetus wanted was to leave the army and go back to praying, and the emperor said yes. Later he became a priest, and then a bishop, a leader who takes care of many churches. He watched over God's people the way a kind shepherd watches over his sheep. People say he did a hundred good works in his life. He gave a blind man back his sight, and he helped more people than anyone could count. Then he died in peace, and went home to God.

Agapetus only asked one thing from the emperor: to leave the army and go back to praying to God.

Two Brave Friends of God

We also remember two brave men today, named Timothy and Matyas (say it: mah-TEE-as). Timothy came from a city called Gaza, and Matyas came from an island called Cyprus.

Both of them loved Jesus so much that they would never stop following Him, no matter what. They stayed faithful to God right to the end of their lives, even when staying faithful cost them everything. That is what makes them martyrs.

We send a happy hello to these two friends of God, who are now safe and joyful in heaven with Jesus. They remind us to be brave and to keep loving God every day.