Macarius of Egypt

We just learned about the famous hermit Anthony the Great.

Another monk from history was Macarius of Egypt.

He grew up and was married in Egypt, but then his wife passed away, and later his parents also died so he was alone.
He gave all of his money to the poor, and went to live in the desert alone.
One day he met Anthony the Great, who helped him learn to live out in the desert and how to be a monk or a hermit.

(from: wikipedia - macarius of egypt)


Macarius went on to help other people who wanted to give everything they had to the poor and live alone, and he created one of the first Christian monasteries, that is still around today in the country of Egypt.


(from: wikipedia - monastary of saint macarius the great)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Anchor

Anthony the Great

We just learned about the first monk, Paul of Thebes.

Another famous hermit also known as a monk was Anthony the Great.

Just like Paul of Thebes, he lost his parents at a young age.

He decided to give everything he had away, so he sold his land to his neighbors, gave the money to the poor, and then went off into the desert to live alone.

Legends spread that he was a wise person, so people would come to him and bring him food and ask for advice.
After a while, some other people decided that they wanted to live away from other people just like him, so he helped them learn how to live in the wilderness, pray and be wise.
These people are thought of as some of the first groups of monks living near each other.


(from: wikipedia - anthony the great)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Pelican

Paul of Thebes

We just learned a little about Monks.

Some famous people from the Bible like Elijah and John the Baptist were known to go live off in the wilderness by themselves, praying and living in nature.

The first person to be known as a hermit or a monk was Paul of Thebes.

A long time after Jesus died on the cross, there were people around who did not like followers of Jesus.
When Paul of Thebes was young, his parents died.
He was afraid that people who did not like Christians were going to come after him, so he ran away into the desert.
He found a cave in the desert with a water stream nearby and a fruit tree, and lived there alone praying and worshiping for almost a hundred years.


(from: wikipedia - paul of thebes)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Peacock

Monks

We've learned a lot about the book of Proverbs.

Through the years, many Christians have become monks.

Monks are people who live all by themselves, study the Bible, try to live good lives, and usually help give back to the communities.

The word monk comes from the Greek word "monachos" or "monos" which means alone.

The first monks just were all by themselves, but later groups of monks started to live together in places called monasteries.


(from: wikipedia - christian monasticism)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Dove

Proverbs 21 - Righteousness and Justice

We just learned about Proverbs 19 - The purpose of the Lord.

Another famous Proverb is Proverbs 21.


To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice..

In the times of the Old Testament, people would sacrifice burnt offerings of animals to God as ways to ask for forgiveness.
This Proverb says that God would rather have people do the right thing than have to ask for forgiveness!


(from: wikipedia - bible)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: The Good Shepherd

Proverbs 19 - The purpose of the Lord

We just learned about Proverbs 18 - The name of the Lord.

Another famous chapter in the Book of Proverbs is Proverbs 19.

This book gives a lot of wisdom about being foolish, telling the truth, and living with others.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.


(from: wikipedia - solomon)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Iota Chi - IX Monogram

Proverbs 18 - The name of the Lord

We just learned about Proverbs 17 - A Joyful Heart.

Another famous saying is from Proverbs 18.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.
(from: wikipedia - book of proverbs)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Iota Eta

Proverbs 17 - A Joyful Heart

We just learned about Proverbs 16 - Wisdom better than Gold.

Another chapter in the book of Proverbs is Proverbs 17.

This chapter gives all sorts of good advice about listening to each other, being happy, and being wise.

Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.
This means that it's better to be poor and not have much to eat, but have a house with family and friends that are nice to you, than to be rich and all the food you want but all of your family and friends are crazy and mean.


A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
This means if you are happy all the time, your body will feel good.
If you are sad all the time your body will feel bad.


(from: wikipedia - book of proverbs)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Chi Ro

Proverbs 16 - Wisdom better than Gold

We just learned about Proverbs 4 - The Path of the Righteous.

Another famous Proverb is Proverbs 16.

This chapter goes on to tell about the value of wisdom and listening to God for instructions.

"How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver."


(from: wikipedia - book of proverbs)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Staurogram

Proverbs 4 - The Path of the Righteous

We just learned about Proverbs 31 - A wife of noble character.

Another good lesson from the book of Proverbs is Proverbs 4.

This chapter is advice from a father, telling his children to seek out wisdom, and to listen to the wisdom given to them by their father.

the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.


(from: wikipedia - book of proverbs)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Alpha and Omega

Proverbs 31 - A wife of noble character

We just learned about Proverbs 3 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Another famous proverb is Proverbs 31.

This chapter tells of the wisdom of having a good wife, and how valuable she is.

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.


(from: wikipedia - proverbs 31)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Ichthys

Proverbs 3 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart

We just learned about the Bible book of Proverbs.

One famous Proverb is Proverbs chapter 3.

This chapter says to trust in the Lord and he will help you out.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.


(from: wikipedia - book of proverbs)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Crucifix

Proverbs

We just learned about the Psalm 119 and some other famous Psalms.

Another book that is poetry in the Bible is the book of Proverbs.

This book is full of the wisdom of people from the Bible like King Solomon.
It talks about many of the things you should do and should not do in life, and gives good advice.

The book of Proverbs is split up into 8 sections.
The Bible says that three of the sections were written by Solomon, and the other 6 were written or shared by other people.


(from: wikipedia - book of proverbs)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Cross

Psalm 119 - Longest Psalm

We just learned about Psalm 137 - By the waters of Babylon .

Another famous chapter in this book is Psalm 119.

This Psalm is the longest chapter in the whole Bible, and has 176 verses.
These 176 verses are split up into 22 parts, and each of those 22 parts, one for each letter of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Each of those 22 parts has eight verses, and each of those eight verses begins with the Hebrew letter they are listed under.

For example, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet is "אַ", called "Aleph".

The first eight chapters of Psalm 119 in Hebrew are:


אַשְׁרֵ֥י תְמִֽימֵי־דָ֑רֶךְ הַֽ֝הֹלְכִ֗ים בְּתוֹרַ֥ת יְהוָֽה׃
אַ֭שְׁרֵי נֹצְרֵ֥י עֵדֹתָ֗יו בְּכָל־לֵ֥ב יִדְרְשֽׁוּהוּ׃
אַ֭ף לֹֽא־פָעֲל֣וּ עַוְלָ֑ה בִּדְרָכָ֥יו הָלָֽכוּ׃
אַ֭תָּה צִוִּ֥יתָה פִקֻּדֶ֗יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְאֹֽד׃
אַ֭חֲלַי יִכֹּ֥נוּ דְרָכָ֗י לִשְׁמֹ֥ר חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
אָ֥ז לֹא־אֵב֑וֹשׁ בְּ֝הַבִּיטִ֗י אֶל־כָּל־מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃
א֭וֹדְךָ בְּיֹ֣שֶׁר לֵבָ֑ב בְּ֝לָמְדִ֗י מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃

Hebrew is backwards from English, and is read from right to left.
So if you look at the character on the right of each line, you can see it is the "Aleph".

When the Psalm is translated to English, the letters don't match up anymore:

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.
I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!


(from: wikipedia - psalm 119)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Feast of Christ the King

Psalm 137 - By the waters of Babylon

We just learned about Psalm 103 - Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Another famous chapter from the book of Psalms is Psalm 137.

This Psalm has been made into music and paintings many times, especially the beginning which starts off:

"By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept,"

This Psalm was written about the time when the Israelites were forced to leave their home of Jerusalem, and they were very sad.


(from: wikipedia - psalm 137)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: All Saint's Day

Psalm 103 - Bless the Lord, O my soul

We just learned about Psalm 51 - Miserere.

Another famous chapter in the book of Psalms is Psalm 103.

This song starts with the words:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!.

It goes on to say how great the Lord is, and sings praises on his blessings.
This song has been used many times for songs and even musicals.


(from: wikipedia - psalm 103)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Ordinary Time

Psalm 51 - Miserere

We just learned about Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd.

Another chapter in the book of psalms is Psalm 51.

This chapter is sometimes called "Miserere" which means Have Mercy.
After King David had sinned against God, he wrote this Psalm to beg for mercy and forgiveness.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.


(from: wikipedia - psalm 51)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Trinity Sunday

Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd

We just learned about Psalm 22 - Why have you forsaken me?.

Another very famous chapter in the Book of Psalms is Psalm 23.

This chapter talks about God as a protecting shepherd.
Because this Psalm talks so well about being protected by God in times of need, it is put on a lot of posters, quoted a lot, and has been in a lot of music by famous people including Johann Sebastian Bach.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.


(from: wikipedia - psalm 23)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Pentecost

Psalm 22 - Why have you forsaken me?

We just learned about the Bible book of Psalms.

One very famous Psalm from the Bible was Psalm 22.

The Psalm starts out with the words "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?".
In the book of Matthew chapter 27, it says that Jesus cried out the same thing as he was on the cross.

Many people believe that Jesus crying out this Psalm shows that it was a prophecy, because it also says:
"a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet"
and
"they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots."

The Psalm goes on to give praises to God and say that he will rule over the world some day.

"All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations."


(from: wikipedia - psalm 22)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Easter Sunday

Psalms

We just learned about the book of the Bible named Esther.

We've learned before that the Bible has Books of Poetry and Wisdom.

The longest book in the whole Bible is the book of Psalms, with 150 chapters.

In the book of Psalms there are 5 different sections:
Book 1 (Psalms 1–41)
Book 2 (Psalms 42–72)
Book 3 (Psalms 73–89)
Book 4 (Psalms 90–106)
Book 5 (Psalms 107–150)

Many of the Psalms have been made into songs like hymns, or put into poetry.


(from: wikipedia - psalms)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Holy Saturday