King Sapor of Persia hated the Christians and he persecuted them cruelly. He destroyed their churches and monasteries. Two brothers named Jonas and Barachisius heard of the persecutions and of the many Christians who had been put to death.
They decided to go to help them and to encourage them to remain faithful to Christ. Jonas and Barachisius knew that they, too, might be captured. But that did not stop them . Their hearts were too full of love of others to have room for a thought of themselves.
When at last these holy brothers were taken prisoner, they were told that if they did not worship the sun, and the moon, and the fire and water, they would be tortured and put to death. Of course, they refused to worship anything or anyone except the one true God. They had to suffer greatly, but they prayed and kept thinking of how Our Lord suffered for love of them.
Jonas was placed in a frozen pond and left there a whole night. His wicked tormentors came next morning and asked him if he had had a miserable night. St. Jonas answered that it was the most pleasant night he had ever had because he was suffering for Christ! Many other tortures these saints had to endure, but they accepted all of them willingly and finally were put to death. They gladly gave up their lives for Jesus.
When we have some little pain, are we brave enough to offer it up to Jesus in secret? Or do we have to let everyone know how much it hurts us?
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