👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾 #Saint #Gebre #Kirstos – Feast Day: #Tikimt 14
Beloved in Christ, we greet you with the blessings and peace of God. Today, we share with you an important lesson about Saint Gebre Kirstos, son of King Theodosius, whose feast day is celebrated on Tikimt 14. May this lesson inspire your faith and devotion.
The Birth and Early Life of Saint Gebre Kirstos
✍🏾Saint Gebre Kirstos, originally named Abdelmessih (meaning “Servant of Christ”), was born to King Theodosius of Constantinople and his virtuous wife, Merkeza. The king and queen were devout and God-fearing, but they were saddened because they had no children.
They journeyed to Jerusalem, made a solemn vow, and prayed earnestly to the merciful God. Their prayers were answered, and God blessed them with this holy child.
✍🏾From a young age, Gebre Kirstos was instructed in the doctrines of the Church and in righteous living.
Saint Gebre Kirstos’ Covenant with God
When he grew up, he was betrothed to the daughter of the Roman emperor and married according to custom.
✍🏾At midnight, the bridegroom, Gebre Kirstos, arose and went to his bride. Taking her by the hand, he made a covenant with her. Then they prayed the Creed to the end. He took off his wedding garment and put on his outer robe.
Approaching his bride, he kissed her head and said,
“May God be with you and deliver you from all the works of the devil.”
👉🏾The bride wept and said,
“Lord, where are you going? To whom will you leave me?”
👉🏾Gebre Kirstos replied,
“I leave you to God, and I will go to follow my Lord Jesus Christ. Remember also your oath, for the kingdom of my father is passing away.”
The bride remembered her oath and remained silent.
✍🏾When all the guests were asleep, Gebre Kirstos went out at night. Upon reaching the seashore, he met travelers sailing by and journeyed with them until he reached Armenia, a journey of one year.
✍🏾When the king and queen entered the wedding hall, they could not find the bridegroom or their child. They asked the bride,
“Where is our child?”
She replied,
👉🏾“He came to me at night, made a covenant with me, swore an oath, kissed my forehead, and departed. I spent the night weeping alone.”
Hearing this, the king and queen fell down, cried out, and wept bitterly.
The Life of Holiness and Humility
✍🏾Saint Gebre Kirstos traveled secretly to Armenia, where he lived humbly near a church dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary. His parents, unaware of his whereabouts, sent servants to search for him, distributing alms to the poor in the process.
Gebre Kirstos accepted alms alongside the needy, practicing true humility.
✍🏾For fifteen years, he lived in solitude, dedicating himself to prayer and service. Eventually, the Holy Virgin Mary appeared to a priest and revealed the location of Saint Gebre Kirstos, instructing that he be brought into the church.
Continues 👇🏾