However, after she lived appropriately for a small number of years, a problem arose.
✞Because of her nearness to one monk and as they were not able to control their urges, they fell into sin. And due to this, both of them gave up hope, left their monastic garbs, and entered into the city. In addition to that, Maria became a prostitute.
✞And in those days, St. Abraham saw a revelation. He saw a big serpent swallowing up a dove and then spitting it out. He realized that it was [about] his sister. Then, he immediately borrowed good cloth with a horse and entered the city. After which, he went into his sister’s house disguised as an officer.
✞He then closed the door so she would not flee and revealed to her who he was. In shock, she became as if she was dead, but he strengthened her and said, “My sister! Repent, God will have mercy upon you.” And as her heart had leaned towards him, he took her and returned to the monastery.
✞There, he made her a cell, gave her penance and left. And Mary (Maria) instead of being sinful became a wondrous holy woman. After those that saw her revered her and after years of strife, she rested in peace. Then, Abba Abraham became engaged in a wholesome monastic life for the rest of his life.
✞All his life, he did not smile nor did he speak unnecessary matters with his lips. As his heart was caught up by the love of his Creator, his tears fell nonstop remembering the Passion of Christ. On this day, the kind and holy man, Abraham, passed away and was buried.
✞✞✞Saint John the Righteous✞✞✞
=>This Saint lived in the Era of Persecution but he did not endure affliction like the other martyrs. He was one of the soldiers that were ordered to kill Christians and to burn Churches. Nevertheless, he took and hid the Christians whom he was given to kill.
✞He took care of them until the period of persecution passed. And he always said, “I extremely hate Christians” so that other soldiers did not know about what he did. He continuously and diligently used to pray in the night too. And on this day, after living in such a manner, he departed in peace.
✞✞✞Abba Filipos (Philip) of Debre Bizen ✞✞✞
=>Debre Bizen is a great monastery, which is found in the former province of Ethiopia (now Eritrea). The monastery was [one of the places] where our Lady the Virgin Mary rested during her flight and it is a place which is blessed and chosen by our Lord. Though, the monastery had bore stars like Abba Yohannes (John), Abba Nardos and others, none have come forth who were as great as Abba Filipos (Philip).
✞The Saint was praised for his strife, his governance of the monastery as an abbot and for his evangelizing ministry. As it was not enough for him to be holy alone, he also bore many saints. This day is the commemoration of his departure.
✞✞✞ May the God of the Saints protect the monasteries from plight. And may He grant us from the Saints’ grace and blessings.
✞✞✞ Annual feasts celebrated on the 5th of Nehasse
1. St. Abba Abraham the Monastic
2. St. Maria (Mary) his sister
3. St. John the Righteous
4. Abba Filipos (Philip) of Debre Bizen
✞✞✞ Monthly Feasts
1. St. Peter Arch-Apostle (First among the apostles)
2. St. Paul, Light of the World
3. Abune Gebre Menfes Qidus
4. St. Yohani the Ethiopian
5. St. Amoni of Nah(i)so
6. St. Eugenia (Martyr and Righteous)
✞✞✞ “. . . in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft . . . Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”✞✞✞
2 Cor. 11:23-28
✞✞✞ Salutation to God ✞✞✞
(Translated by Mhr. Esuendale Shemeles with the permission of Dn. Yordanos Abebe)