Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

“ And on this day also eighty-five thousand and seven people became martyrs with Isidore. Salutation to these martyrs of the company of Isidore.
And on this day also died Abba Joseph, the light of the world. This holy man learned all the philosophy of this world in his father’s house, so that those who saw him marveled at him, and all the Books of the Church; and when he was grown up his father took him to the bishop, who made him a deacon. And God, Who willed the salvation of his soul, sent Michael, the angel of light, to him, and he said unto Joseph, “Dost thou love this fleeting world? ”

“ Why doth John the evangelist say in the Holy Gospel, that Joseph did not know our holy Lady the Virgin Mary, until she had brought forth her first-born Son; did he know her as men usually know women?” And Saint John answered him, saying, “It is not thus, O Emperor, but when our Lord Jesus Christ was in the womb of our holy Lady the Virgin Mary, she used to change her appearance day by day, and at one time her person used to shine with great light, and Joseph did not know her understanding until she brought forth our Lord and Redeemer Christ. ”

“ I am the angel of the Lord, and I have been sent unto thee to strengthen thee, and to tell thee what it is seemly for thee to do, what the Lord my God hath commanded me. And now, be of good courage, for thy voice shall penetrate to the end of the world, and thousands of thousands shall hear thy teaching, and shall come back to God, and shall be saved ”

“ When Nebuchadnezzar carried the people away captive from Jerusalem, he did not take Jeremiah with them, and the remnant of the people took him with them and departed to the land of Egypt. And by his prayer God destroyed the wild beasts, and the lions, which were in the valley of Egypt, and which used to harm the Egyptians. And having finished the days of his prophecy and pleased God, he died in peace in the city of Alexandria, and the Egyptians made a feast in his honor, even as at this day. Salutation to Jeremiah, one of the Great Prophets. Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. ”

“ And Saint Abba Cyril made a great festival on the day whereon this glorious cross appeared, and he ordained that the festival should be kept on this day, and it is meet for us [to keep it] . And he wrote it in the Exposition of Jerusalem, and similarly all Christian people everywhere have written it down, and they keep the festival this day, even as we always keep the festival of the Honorable Cross. For it is our salvation, and it is [our] armor against all our enemies, both those, which are secret and those, which are visible, provided that we take refuge therein in True Faith. ”

“ When he awoke from his sleep he rose up straightway, and went to Saint Abba Isidore, who arrayed him in the garb of the monk, and Ammonius dwelt with him. And after this he returned to Dabra Tona, and he built himself a cell and he fought a strenuous spiritual fight by day and by night. And Satan the accursed became jealous of him, and he came to him in the form of a woman, who was a nun. And when Satan knocked at the door of his cell, he opened unto him, and he did not hide himself from him because the knocker was Satan, the Enemy. ”

“ He maketh the sun to rise and maketh visible the light, and in the noon-day he drieth up the sea. Who can stand against His flame, which is like unto that of a blazing furnace that belcheth flame, and the height of the sun’s power burneth up the mountains. ”

“ Wait ye and remain in Jerusalem until ye received the promise of the Father.” And again He said unto them, “When the Spirit of righteousness cometh, He will guide you in all righteousness.” And Saint Peter, who was chief with our Lord Christ, said unto them, “The Lord hath promised to send unto us the Paraclete, Who is the Holy Spirit, and He will make us to understand what it is meet for us to hear and to do.” ”

“ O let not Thine inheritance fall into the hands of Thine enemies, the deniers of Christ, who know not Thy Name; for we are Thy people and the sheep of Thy pasture, and Thee we praise for ever and ever. Amen.” Then Caleb the king went out from his royal city, and he departed and destroyed, and killed all the Jews who had laid waste the city of Nagran, and he performed countless miracles. And he returned to his royal city with great honor and joy not to be estimated, giving thanks to God at the same time. ”

“ If thou dost not obey us, and dost not bring back Saint John from his exile, there shall certainly not be peace between us and thee from this time forward.” When Arcadius read their letters he was exceedingly sad, and he made his wife, the Empress Eudoxia, to stand aside. And he brought Saint John from exile; and when he arrived all the people of the city of Constantinople rejoiced with an exceedingly great joy. And after a few days the Empress Eudoxia returned, and exiled him a second time to the Island of Akratys, and he died on the Island. ”

“ One day Satan came to him to destroy him with evil, and Abba Aaron, knowing the appearance of him by the grace of the Holy Spirit, which dwelt upon him, said unto him, “Come into this cave to dwell.” And when Satan had come into that cave, one side of it fell on him and buried him, and a huge stone leaped upon him, and Satan was put to shame. And also, when the governor of the city died, did not he raise him up by his prayer? And this father made a lion to carry four water-jars on his back, and the lion drew water for him for a period of ten years ”