COR KIDS · ATHLETES OF CHRIST
Compassion
The quick story
Fr. Mikhail Ibrahim grew up in Kafr Abdou, Egypt, where the church was an important part of his childhood. At the church school, he learned reading, writing, and arithmetic, and became familiar with the Psalms and Gospels. These early lessons helped his love for God grow.
After years of working in a government job, he became a priest in 1951. He cared for people with a father's love. When someone brought him a worry, he began with prayer. He visited the sick and remembered people's names and needs during the Divine Liturgy. The prayer list on his card reminds us of this thoughtful care.
His kindness reached people in small, personal ways. He noticed when someone was upset and looked for a way to help. His life invites us to do the same: listen to a friend, welcome someone into a game, or pray for a person who is struggling. Compassion starts when we notice another person's needs and respond with love.
Explore the life
PART 1
1. Growing up close to church
Mikhail was born in 1899 in Kafr Abdou. He grew up around the Church of the Virgin Mary. His church teacher helped children learn from the Gospels and taught the young people church responses and hymns. Church was a place where learning and prayer belonged together.
PART 2
2. Becoming a caring priest
After working as a government employee, Mikhail became a priest in his hometown in 1951. He encouraged people to give quietly and removed fees for church services. His care reached families and individuals. Later, he continued his ministry in Cairo.
PART 3
3. Beginning with prayer
When people asked him for advice, Fr. Mikhail prayed with them before discussing their worries. He asked God for guidance. His example reminds us that we can bring our concerns to Jesus, too, and ask for help choosing kind and wise actions.
PART 4
4. Remembering people by name
People gave him notes with their names and requests for prayer. He kept these requests and remembered them before God during the Divine Liturgy. The prayer list in his illustration helps tell this story: each name represented a person whose needs mattered.
PART 5
5. Visiting people who were sick
Fr. Mikhail went to visit sick people and pray for them. He also remembered them in church. His care encourages us to remember someone who cannot join our usual activities. With a parent, we might send a kind message or make a card.
PART 6
6. Sharing so someone could take part
One feast night, Fr. Mikhail noticed a young church servant crying. He had no white church robe to wear for the service. Fr. Mikhail offered his own robe and encouraged him to join in. He noticed the sadness and responded with generosity.
PART 7
7. Remembering his loving service
Fr. Mikhail departed in 1975. The Coptic Orthodox Church formally recognized his sainthood in May 2026. His life gives us an example of compassion: remembering people, praying for them, and offering practical help.
PART 8
8. Your turn: a little prayer list
Write the first names of three people you want to pray for. Ask God to care for each one. Then choose one kind action you can do today. Keep your list somewhere private, and thank God for the people who show kindness to you, too.
Think about it
A child wants to join your game but does not have the equipment they need. Remembering how Fr. Mikhail helped a young church servant, what could you do?
Tap to discover the answer
Notice how they feel, invite them to join, and find a way to share or take turns. Ask your coach for help if needed. Fr. Mikhail offered his own church robe to a young servant who was sad because he had none to wear. Kindness looks for a way to include someone.
Try it today
Notice, pray, help: choose someone who needs encouragement. Pray for them by name, then do one kind thing for them. You could invite them into a game, listen to their worries, or make an encouraging card. Ask a trusted adult for help if someone is hurt.
May the prayers of the saints be with us. Amen.