St Yoannis XI, 89th Pope of Alexandria
On the 28th day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Yoannis the Eleventh, 89th Pope of Alexandria.
He was known as Yoannis El-Maksi for he was from El-Maksa in Cairo. His birth name was Farag which means “blessing” or “cure” depending on the source.
He was a contemporary to the rulers El-Ashraf, El-Aziz, El-Zaher, and El-Mansour. He encountered many hardships that required the intervention of the kings of Ethiopia who threatened the Egyptian government to cut the flow of the Nile because of the persecution of El-Nasara (The Copts, the Nazarenes). The Patriarch was forbidden to communicate with the kings of Ethiopia and Nubia without the permission and knowledge of the rulers of the government.
He departed in the year 1452, the same year Johann Gutenberg printed the very first Bible. Before that time all bibles were hand-made. Pope Yoannis departed in peace having sat on the throne of St. Mark for 24 years, 11 months, and 23 days.
Lessons from this story
It is said that Pope Yoannis was a contemporary, which means he was skilled in the art of negotiating with government leaders, as well as the various buearcratical factions that ensue.
How draining that must have been. Here you are, the leader of a faithful and spiritual people, having to deal with the politics of this world. Politics is a war that has no peace, only a begrudging compromise. But it is a tool of the devil to steal away your peace. How truly remarkable this pope must have been to be written down as a contemporary and having sustained the role of spiritual father “Abba” for 24 years. Think of how many governments have changed, leaders and rulers come and go, while the constant presence of the Pope remains. And with each new ruler, there are new terms, new arrangements sometimes even having to start all over.
Samuel the prophet was dismayed when the people demanded a king be set upon them, for he knew the truth. There was only one King. But the Lord said to him, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7) And then Samuel told the people all the terrible things they would sacrifice for this new “king” they demanded. But they didn’t care, they wanted to be ruled like all their enemies had been ruled.
We have the greatest protector ever. The greatest King, Guardian, Council, that has ever been. Pope Yoannis knew this well. And though this telling indicates he endured many hardships, during his time as Pope, he knew not only were the rulers he dealt with were temporary - but our time here as well.

Prayer
Oh Father helps to always see past the temporary hardships we face and to use them to grow in spiritual strength and knowledge that you are our true one and only King. May the prayers and intercessions of Pope Yoannis the 11th, 89th Pope of Alexandria be with us all amen.

St. Theoclia
On the 11th day of the Coptic month of Bashons we celebrate the life of St Theoclia, wife to St Justus.
In his morbid march against Christians, the Roman Emperor Diocletian had sent St Justus and Theoclia to the Governor of Alexandria. Who separated them, sending St. Justus to Antinoe, where he was martyred, and sending Theoclia to Sa El-Hagar.
When the Governor there met her, he marvelled at her fortitude and resolve. He was astonished by her will to leave the kingdom preferring to die instead. At first, he tried to persuade her, but she refused to accept his flowery words saying: "I have left my kingdom, accepted the separation of my husband whom I have known since my youth, and I have been comforted by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So what could you give me?" Enraged by her resolve, he ordered her to be beaten until her flesh was torn and then placed her in prison.
The angel of the Lord appeared to her, comforted and strengthened her. When the prisoners witnessed her wounds being healed miraculously, they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, and they all received the crown of martyrdom. The Governor ordered her beheaded and she received the crown of martyrdom. Some believers came, paid the soldier silver, took her body, shrouded and placed it in a coffin until the end of the Days of Persecution.
Lessons from this story
Daniel said to the steward in charge of him, “Please test your servants for ten days and let them feed us vegetables to eat and water to drink, then let our appearance be examined..” (Daniel 1:12-13) In the king’s court all ate and drank merrily, without a care in the world. But when Daniel refused to partake of this, the steward was afraid his king would be angry. So for ten days Daniel and his companions ate vegetables and water, while the others in the stewards' care ate the king’s delicacies with wine. The steward marvelled at their bright countenance compared to the shallow faces of the others.
St Theoclia represented the same bright countenance as Daniel. Feasting not on the world, but only on the nourishment of Jesus Christ. Truly, what could this poor governor give her to match? Even the emperor is poor in comparison to the riches of Christ.
We never know how many lives we impact with our daily struggles against the world’s vices. Though the bible tells us to fast in private, and always present a pleasant appearance, so as to not draw attention to our efforts. But people notice. Some may ask, many will not. We live our life for God. Being Christian is meaning to be Christ-like. For in us is the firm knowledge that everything of this world will fail us utterly, but when we are sustained on the nourishments of God’s Grace, a single drop is like a feast.

Prayer
God help us to be blinded to the luxuries of this life, but to be focused on that ever narrowing bridge that leads to eternal life. May the prayers and intercessions of St Theoclia be with us all, amen.

St Qozman El-Tahawy
On the 1st day of the Coptic month of Paone we celebrate the life of St. Qozman (Cosmas) El-Tahawy and his companions. For they were martyred on this day.
Lessons from this story
And that’s it. That is all that is written about this saint. If you go online and search his name, you will find exactly the same details on several different websites. But why do we celebrate his life? Yes we understand on this day he was martyred, along with his companions, but what was his struggle. It is of no value to the saint to just celebrate his martyrdom without enlightening us of his struggles. A saint gains no glory it this celebration, not from us anyway. And without the telling of his struggle there is no value to us either. Then why am I including it here then?
It is wrong to list a saint in the Synexar without telling the saint’s story. We are blessed with great stories given to us about saints and their individual challenges. But I was sad to find this reference in the Synexar with no details whatsoever.
What will our children? “Hey why do you celebrate this saint?” Someone will ask. “I don’t know, they just have his name listed.” How sad. As we know saints reside with the Lord and remain active on his behalf. But if we don’t get know the saint, through his life’s telling, there is a tremendous loss to you and me. And though I must imagine sadness does enter into a saint at this stage of their existence, it just does fit the narrative that God wastes nothing.
If you meet a person and learn nothing about this person, other than being introduced to him or her, how forgettable they will be to us. But when hear their stories and share our stories, there is a keenship that develops. These saints are our brothers and sisters. Many of them we have developed deep meaningful relationships with. But St Qozman El Tahawy may not be able to fulfill that joyful act as a saint, for though he is remembered in the Synexar by name only, the life that defined him is unknown to us.

Prayer
I will set forth a different prayer this time. Please, if know this saint’s story, reach out to us and share so that we may share with everyone else. IN this combined effort do we honor his struggle, his martyrdom and the works of the Lord through him.
And glory be to God.

St Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus
On the 17th day of the Coptic month of Bashons we celebrate the life of St Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus..
Epiphanius was born to Jewish parents. His father had died when he was young, and he was raised straight and true by his mother and sister.
His father had left behind an untrained donkey, whom his mother had asked the young Epiphanius to sell. Along the journey, Epiphanius met a Christian man named Philotheus who offered to buy the donkey. But the donkey kicked Epiphanius in his thigh, and he fell down on the ground unconscious. Philotheus made the sign of the cross over the place of injury and Epiphanius was cured of his pain instantly. Then Philotheus condemned the donkey. God straightaway struck the donkey, it fell down and died. Epiphanius inquired about the secret of the donkey's death and Philotheus told him that it was the power of the cross. He educated Epiphanius about the crucified Christ, Son of God, at the hands of the Jews in Jerusalem. That in God’s supreme love for us, offered Himself up freely for the Salvation of the world. This remained in the mind of Epiphanius.
When one of the rich Jewish men died and had no one to inherit his wealth, he left all his inheritance to Epiphanius. He used this inheritance to spend on the teachers of religion and Law. Once, when he was walking in the road, he saw a poor man asking for charity from one of the monks, and as the monk did not have any money to give, he took off his garment and gave it to him. As the poor man took this garment, Epiphanius saw a white dress coming down from heaven upon the monk instead of the garment that he given away. He was astonished and went to the monk and asked him: "Who are you and what is your faith?" The monk told him that he was Christian. He asked the monk to guide him to the facts of the Christian faith. The monk brought him to the bishop who taught him the law of the Christian faith and baptized him.
Epiphanius desired to become a monk, and the bishop sent him to the monastery of St. Lucianus. He became a disciple to St. Hilarion, and the grace of God was with him. He excelled in the church subjects, monastic virtues, and its cannons.
St. Hilarion prophesied that Epiphanius would become a bishop and commanded him to go to Cyprus, and not to refuse the office of bishop if it was offered to him. When the bishop of Cyprus departed, it happened that Epiphanius entered the city to buy certain necessities, and he had two monks with him. A saintly bishop was inspired to go to the marketplace to choose the monk that had two clusters of grapes, whose name was Epiphanius, to ordain him a bishop for Cyprus. When the bishop went to the market, he found him with the other two monks, with two clusters of grapes in his hand. He asked him about his name and he knew that he was the chosen one by God. He took him to the church and ordained him deacon, priest, then bishop. He revealed to the people his vision about him and the prophecy of St. Hilarion was fulfilled.
Bishop Epiphanius followed a right course of conduct in his diocese, which was well pleasing to God. He wrote many books and discourses and he always preached about mercy. It happened that John, bishop of Jerusalem, was not merciful. So Bishop Epiphanius borrowed from him some of his gold and silver table vessels, and sold them, giving the money to the poor and needy. When Bishop John asked him to return them, he struck him in his eyes and he became blind. John asked the Saint to pray to heal him, and he prayed, and God opened one of John's eyes.
In the year 402 A.D., Empress Eudoxia called upon Bishop Epiphanius to help her to drive out St. John Chrysostom from Constantinople. However, he tried to reconcile them together, but failed. She threatened him that she would open the temples of idols and close the churches if he did not work on his removal. But since he could not reconcile the differences between her and...

St Isidore and His Family
On the 19th day of the Coptic month of Bashons we celebrate the life of St Isidore and His Family.
Isidore was born in Antioch and his father's name was Bandalaon, who was a nobleman in the Roman Empire under Diocletian. His mother's name was Sofia and he had a sister whose name was Ophimia. Their parents raised them in the Christian faith.
When Diocletian apostatized, Bandalaon and his son Isidore left all their possessions and went secretly to a mountain where they lived with a holy man whose name was Abba Samuel.
When the Emperor knew of what had happened, he brought them before him, and he tried to persuade Bandalaon to abandon his Christian faith with promises of wealth. But Bandalaon remained strong and refused the emperor’s temptations. The Emperor grew angry and threatened Bandalaon, who was no longer paying attention to what the Emperor was saying, presumably praying to God. At the Emperor’s decree, a soldier cut off his head.
Young Isidore, who was only twelve years old, witnessed his father’s strength. The guards tortured him with all kinds of horrible tortures. But he endured. His mother and sister were beside him often during his trial, comforting him and strengthening him to endure for the sake of Jesus Christ. In the end, the Emperor ordered all of them to be beheaded. They all received the crowns of life.
Lessons from this story
This story is more than the telling of the life of one saint, but of a family of four saints. Isidore truly was incredible, at such a young age, to endure what is recorded as horrible tortures. But truly he was inspired by his father’s truth in conviction. It is truly important how we practice what we preach when it comes to our children. For they see more than we think they do, and they find out when we are being hypocrites. As my father said to me, “do as I say not as I do.” As child I obey, but as I got older I did not find wisdom in those words. But just saying, “do as I do.” Is not always enough to win the hearts of our youth, for often times we do something without truly explaining why we do it.
I came to the faith late in life, so I asked many questions. Many answers I found, but sometimes the answer was “I don’t know, just tradition I guess.” Or the youth would simply tell me, “Because my parents said to.”
It is not enough to set an example, but to explain the importance of what we do and why we do it, otherwise the youth will be easily discouraged. Our faith is rich with history, steeply found in every liturgy, but not all aspects are universally known. Even some of our daily practices such as, praying, reading the bible, fasting and many more do not resonate with the youth if it comes by command instead of revelation.
St Bandalaon and St Sofia raised their son and daughter in the Christian values. But the depth of a trees roots are not known until the mighty wind comes. Then will the weak rooted trees fall while the strong rooted tree endure.
If we can always take time explain, reveal and enlighten our youth, then we are truly servants of Christ. For in them we invest.

Prayer
Thank you God the children you place in our care, for helping realize they are not our children, but Your children on loan to us. Help us to guide them straight and true through this world unto the path of eternal life.

St Sina the Soldier
On the 24th day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Sina the Soldier.
Sina was a companion of St. Isidore. One night both of them saw a vision and it seemed to them that a virgin came to them with crowns which she placed on their heads. When they woke up from their sleep they told each other about what they had seen, and they rejoiced greatly as they believed that the Lord had called them to receive the crown of martyrdom. They went to the Governor and Sina, a soldier, unbound his soldier's girdle and cast it down before the governor and both Sina and Isidore confessed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Governor of Farma tortured the two friends and St. Isidore was martyred. Sina, however, remained alive in the prison.
When a new Governor took charge he commanded not to keep any one who confessed the Name of Christ. He heard about the presence of Sina in prison, and that he was a captain of soldiers. Sina was tortured greatly but did not turn from his faith. The Governor immediately ordered to cut off his head and he received the crown of martyrdom. His mother was beside him when he was martyred, and she saw a multitude of angels carrying away his soul as she had also seen St. Isidore's soul at the time of his martyrdom as well.
They took his body, shrouded it, laid it with the body of his friend St. Isidore in the city of Samanoud, and many signs and wonders appeared from them.
Lessons from this story
The unknown can be scary. This story illustrates the vision both Sts Sina and Isidore received giving them comfort before their martyrdom. Though they knew what they would face, as the dream illustrated to them, they gleefully accepted and went out pronouncing their faith in Christ, knowing full well they would be tortured for it.
Christ knew their hearts and brought to them comfort before they were to face torture. To help them know that what was to come for their faith was the glory of eternal life and the crown of martyrdom.
I like to hike. Backpacking in the wilderness helps escape the world while enjoying the beauty of what God has created for all us to enjoy. And though we travel, we have a semblance of a map, we are often coming up on a corner not knowing what is exactly around the corner. Maybe the trial hits a dead end caused by a recent storm or rock slide, or even a wild animal might be there.
I have faith in the map, even though it may not tell me exactly what I will face. But once I turn that corner and face what is on the other side, I l no longer have faith, I have knowledge.
St Sina and his close friend St Isidore, both had faith in Jesus Christ, as the lord knew their hearts. But once they both had the same dream, they knew. And once you know something, you can never unknow it.
We all face difficult challenges in our life. It is the trials and tribulations that St James in the Bible says “Count it all joy,” (James 1:2) When you know the final outcome that is to be, it strengthens you to keep going. Sometimes the torture can be hell. Winston Churchill famously said, “When you are going through hell, keep on moving.”

Truth is, nothing on this earth will ever be heaven nor will it ever be hell. Remember this, we are foreigners here. Just passing through. Keep your faith for you know it to be true.

Prayer
Oh God help us always stay on the path that leads us to the eternal life and to always be willing to call on you for help at anytime. May the prayers of Sts Sina and Isidore be with us all, amen.

St Sarah and Her Two Sons
On the 25th day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Sarah and her two sons.
Sarah was from the city of Antioch, the wife of a man whose name was Socrates, one of the governors of Emperor Diocletian. This Governor had denied Christ to please Diocletian, pretending before his wife that he did that because of his fear from the Emperor.
Sarah had two sons, she could not baptize in Antioch, because of her fear from the Emperor and her husband. She took them and sailed to Alexandria to baptize them there. God willed to reveal the greatness of her faith as a lesson to the generations to come. God brought forth a great tempest and the ship was about to be wrecked and drown. Sarah was afraid that her sons would be drowned without being baptized. She prayed a long prayer, then she wounded her right breast, took some of her blood, anointed them making the sign of the cross upon the foreheads, and over the hearts. Then she dipped them in the sea three times saying: "In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."
After that, the winds died down, a great calm came on the sea, and the ship sailed toward Alexandria. When she arrived, she took her sons, went to the church, and handed them to Pope Peter, the seal of the martyrs. He received them to be baptized, together with the children of the city. When the Pope carried one of her sons to baptize him, the water froze. The Pope went on baptizing other children and came back to her sons, but the water again froze. The same thing occurred on the third attempt. The Pope was amazed and asked their mother about her story. She told him about all that happened to her at sea and what she did for her sons. He glorified God and said: "It is indeed one baptism."
When the woman returned to Antioch, her husband denounced what she had done. He related what happened to the Emperor accusing his wife with adultery. The Emperor brought her and reproached her saying: "Why did you go to Alexandria to commit adultery with the Christians?" The Saint answered him: "Christians do not commit adultery, and do not worship idols, and after this do what you wish, for you will not hear another word from me."
The Emperor asked her: "Tell me what did you do in Alexandria?" When she did not answer him, he ordered to tie her hands behind her, and to place her two sons on her belly, and burn all three of them. She turned her face to the east and prayed. She delivered up her pure soul along with her sons, and they all received the crown of martyrdom.
Lessons from this story
For the love of a mother, were her children saved. For the love of the Father, was her baptism one with God. Her purity was true. Clearly she was not a virgin, as she had been married and given child from her husband. But in this example, purity and virginity are not always the same. Though her marriage was in the faith of Christianity, as the husband denied his faith for he feared the emperor more than he feared God. So her purity was unstained. But so pure was her faith in God, her devotion to her Father, that she believed with all her heart the importance of the baptism of her children. Not as an act of tradition but of faith, knowledge of the Lord.
The importance here is that “the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) As we meet people from outside of the church, we must remember they are God’s chosen too. That they should not ever let the stain of flesh prevent them from the sweetness of the Father. That in our outreach, the Father of love accepts all as they are. And that a pure desire to be one with God, to be freed from the world, are too all. Just ask Mary Magdalene.

Prayer
God helps us to serve in your holy name and guide us to those seeking your goodness. Help us to see them as you do, to resist the temptations of this world while...

St Pope Mark, 49th Pope of Alexandria (EDITED / RECORDED)
On the 22nd day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Mark, the 49th Pope of Alexandria.
Mark was from Alexandria, and he was an honorable and educated man. The pope of Alexandria at the time, Pope John, ordained him a deacon for he was an eloquent speaker. His voice was sweet and all those who heard him rejoiced in him. The Pope handed him the administration of the papal place, and he did nothing without his advice. When Pope John put on him the garb of monks in the monastery, one of the elder monks shouted saying: "This deacon whose name is Mark shall, rightly and fittingly sit upon the throne of his father Mark, the Evangelist."
When Pope John departed, the bishops unanimously agreed to choose Mark as the next Patriarch. He fled to the desert, but they caught up with him, brought him back, and enthroned him Patriarch on the 2nd day of Amshir, in 799 A.D..
He tended to the church’s needs, and restored those that were in a ruinous state. He returned many of the heretics back to the Orthodox faith, healed many of the sick, and cast out many with devils. Telling them: "What happened to you was because you dared to partake of the Holy Mysteries with irreverence, so keep yourselves henceforward from the evil words that come out of your mouth."
In his days, the Muslim Arabs conquered the Greek Isles, captured many of their women and children, brought them to Alexandria, and started to sell them. The Pope gathered money from the believers, and was able to pay three thousand Dinars to save and free them. He wrote for them bills of manumission and set them free. He provided those who wished to return to their country with whatever they needed, and those who wished to stay, he gave them in marriage and protected them. He restored the church of the Redeemer in Alexandria. But evil and possessed men came and burned it down. So Mark restored it again.
When the Lord willed to give him rest, he became sick. He prayed the Divine Liturgy, partook of the Holy Mysteries, bid the bishops that were there farewell and then departed in peace. He sat on the See for 20 years, 2 months and 21 days.
Lessons from this story
I think if I was to give a title to Saint Mark, 49th Pope of Alexandria, I would call him the restorer. Not just for his unwavering persistence in rebuilding the church of the Redeemer, but early on we read that he restored many to the faith. Some who had become heretics, while also restoring many back to purity.
Restoration of anything requires patience and a tedious attention to detail. Many of us today have seen TV shows where a person is restoring a car, a house or an artifact back to its original glory. That is truly a patience and careful person. Sure the show’s glam over the tediousness of the tasks, as they do not want to lose their audience, showing only certain highlights until it is fully restored. But returning anything to its original glory can not be captured in a 30 minute TV show.
I had an occasion to visit the vatican on a rare house tour. One of the rooms was displaying certain arts that were in various stages of restore. Paintings, sculptures, trinkets, frescos, etc. I asked the curator what the duration was, and he mused, pointing to one of the paintings “Not in my lifetime will it be finished.”
St Mark spent his life restoring souls, just as the Creator gave His life to restore us back to our original glory as well.

Prayer
Oh Father helps us always appreciate the many gifts you give us each and every day. Help us also appreciate the sacrifice you made for us and guide us when the time comes that we too may help restore someone back to you. May the prayers of St Abba Mark the Restorer, 49th Pope of Alexandria be with us all, Amen.

St Michael, 53rd Pope of Alexandria
On the 22nd day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Michael, 53rd Pope of Alexandria.
This father was a righteous monk, and he was ordained hegumen for the monastery of the saint Abba John. Because of his good conduct, they chose him Patriarch, and he was enthroned on the 24th day of Hatour 566 A.M. (November 20th., 849 A.D.).
When the Holy Fast came, he went to the desert of Scetis to keep the fast there. He remembered his earlier life in the wilderness, so he asked God with tears and supplication saying: "O God, you know how much I love solitary life and I have no aptitude for the position that I am in." The Lord accepted his petition and he departed in peace after the feast of Passover. He stayed on the Chair one year, four months and twenty-eight days.
Lessons from this story
Imagine what is involved with being a priest. You must straddle between being in the world and being not of the world. You and I, assuming you are not a priest, strive to not be influenced by this world we live in as it relates to our spiritual desire to be one with God. Everyone should have solitary time with God alone. For many of us it is during the liturgy, for some lucky few, they can have a quiet solitary time for God daily. But the truth is, if we do not actually make time for one on one with God, the world will do everything it can to prevent you. Your mobile will ring. Someone will come to you with a problem. Some terrible thought will enter into your brain. Whatever distraction comes, you are robbed of that amazing and wonderful visit with God.
A priest plays such a pivot role in our life. They are to be deeply ground in spiritualness so they can help guide us through the darkness of this world. But many priests, that serve in a church, have so many other obligations that having nothing really to do with being a priest.
Clearly St Michael sought only alone time with God. Nothing in this world meant more to him than this solitary relationship. It was probably because of this constant pursuit of peaceful time with Christ that gave him the ability to rise above the daily turmoils of life, making idea for such a high spiritual role on earth.
Pope, abba, father to so many. Nothing would give the enemy of man greater pleasure than to befall such an esteemed ascetic. St Michael, through Jesus Christ, could have faced the world daily. But ugliness once seen or felt is hard to be cleansed from. So he ran from the world, like Joseph from Pontifar’s wife, seeking release from the prison of his position. A lesson we should all try to do, daily.

Prayer
Thank you father for this life given to us. Guide us always through the darkness and mire that is so pervasive in this world. Help us to see only you in people we meet and actions we take. May the prayers of St Michael, 53rd pope of Alexandria be with us and for us, amen.

St Sousenyos
On the 26th day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Sousenyos.
Sousenyos was the son of one of the friends of Emperor Diocletian. An angel of the Lord appeared to him and strengthened his heart on receiving the crown of martyrdom. Sousenyos kept this in his heart, sharing it with no one.
The Emperor sent him to the city of Nicomedia to restore the worship of idols. Sousenyos sorrowed exceedingly. He sent for and brought with him, a priest on his journey to Nicomedia. Who taught him the doctrine of the church, the facts of the faith and baptized him.
When his father found out, he brought his own son before the Emperor, declaring that he did not worship the idols. The Emperor ordered to torture him with severe tortures. But the Lord strengthened and comforted him. Finally, they cut off his head, and he received the crown of martyrdom.
The number of those who had seen him during his torture and believed because of him, were eleven hundred and seventy. They were all martyred and received the crown of martyrdom.
Lessons from this story
Jesus warned us that this exact thing would happen. “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:21-22). The angel came to Sousyenos and revealed his martyrdom. Imagine what that must be like. You have grown up in the luxury of great wealth, comfort and prestige. As the son of a friend to the emperor, you would have everything your heart could desire.
Though this telling does not elaborate why the angel appeared to Sousenyos, only that an angel did reveal his destiny. As we know God knows the heart, cleary we must infer that Sousenyos, despite his wealth and privilege, was not happy. This telling does not say the angel appeared in response to a prayer, in fact the story implies the announcement was unsolicited. So clearly the takeaway is that God knew Sousenyos’s heart and gave him a better option.
But, we read that Sousenyos was cautious. I mean at this time being Christian was not a popular thing to do, especially for someone so close to the emperor who will go down in history and horrible torturer of Christians. But nonetheless, he kept this reveal in his heart.
When the time came for him to be tested, he learned all he could about Christianity, was baptized, stood his ground, gripped his new faith and eventually released, receiving the crown of Martyrdom.
Pure of heart can be found anywhere if we allow God to direct us. Do we imagine for one second Jonah would have gone to that horrible band of sinners the Ninevites if God had not called him? Absolutely not. He even resisted God's will, hoping to witness the destruction of a people he deemed unworthy.
Do we do that? Do we look at others and think we know their hearts? Truly we fall victim to judgment of others based on our one dimension perception, but when we listen to the lives of saints, maybe we can train ourselves to curb that first reaction and allow God to reveal to us the pure of heart no matter where we are.

Prayer
God please use us. Guide our eyes, hands, feet and minds to see and do your work. That through you, we can be part of that greatness that is being“called”. May the prayers and intercessions of St Sousenyos be with us all, amen.