It’s not always easy to tell you friends in school that you’re Christian and that you are different. Jesus himself said that it will not be easy but he is always with us. Many of our Coptic saints’ story tell of how Jesus always strengthens his children.
St Demiana was borne in a Christian family. Her dad built her a place for her and 40 of her friends to live as nuns away from the world and its temptations. Eventually Emperor Diocletian heard of her faith and wanted her to worship idols. She refused and told him that she’ll never worship anyone aside from Jesus. When the soldiers got tired of torturing Demiana, they would throw her in jai. Archangel Michael would then appear to her, touch her with his heavenly wings and heal her wounds. The next morning, she would stand before the emperor and his commander in perfect health and everyone would be very puzzled.
The torturing of Demiana continued in an even crueller way for many days, but again, and again the Archangel Michael appeared and healed her. On the last day before her martyrdom, Jesus himself appeared to her to encourage her. Finally the commander ordered the soldiers to behead Demiana by the sword along with her forty friends.
Yes, it is not easy to tell friends that you are Christian or refuse to do certain things because you are different, but Jesus will always encourage you! You might have a tougher life on earth but we will be rewarded greatly in heaven.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21)