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For Giavani Cairo, stepping into the role of Thaddeus in The Chosen has been more than an acting opportunity—it’s been a spiritual calling. Over the past seven years, Cairo has brought to life one of Jesus’ lesser-known disciples, helping audiences see the beauty of faith lived quietly and humbly.

Now, through a new partnership between The Chosen and the Christian meditation app Glorify, Cairo is deepening that message with a seven-day audio devotional titled Believing When All Seems Lost. The devotional, part of a three-part series featuring the cast of The Chosen, explores faith during seasons of uncertainty. Cairo says his hope is simple: that listeners will be reminded they are seen by God, even when the world overlooks them.

“I hope people walk away with a deepened connection to their faith,” Cairo shared. “Especially when it comes to those who maybe feel like they’re not as seen as they want to be. Everyone wants to be seen and acknowledged. Trust me, I’ve felt that so many times in my life. What’s incredible is God sees us all, and quiet faith is beautiful.”

Cairo has long been drawn to Thaddeus’ heart and humility. The disciple, also called Jude in some parts of Scripture, is only mentioned a few times in the Bible. Yet his faith and steadfastness inspired Cairo both as a person and as an artist. “What really pulled me to him from the start was the heart he wore on his sleeve,” Cairo said. “He leads with love and makes it part of his mission to make others know that they belong. I’ve always tried to mirror this in my own life, but he’s taught me to be even better with this.”

The actor said that even though recording his Glorify devotional without the rest of The Chosen cast felt different, the years spent with them had prepared him well. “It’s certainly different from the aspect of not having my ‘Chosen’ family there physically with me,” he said. “But I’m so grateful because being able to spend these last seven plus years with them has really made me grow not only as an actor, but as a person as well. I love this family, and they really prepared me for moments like this.”

Playing Thaddeus has also changed Cairo spiritually. He recalled one particular moment from filming season five that still moves him. “Thaddeus is only mentioned a handful of times in Scripture, and you can say that at times he’s overlooked. I’ve felt that before in my life,” he said. “When we filmed Thaddeus’ backstory with Jesus in season five, it’s a moment I will never forget. Jesus makes it known to Thaddeus that he, the one who is often overlooked, has a lot to offer this world. He’s seen. Thaddeus wasn’t the only one Jesus was talking to. He was talking to me. He was talking to you.”

For Cairo, Thaddeus’ quiet faith has become a lesson for today’s noisy and fast-paced culture. “I think he teaches us that quietness doesn’t mean weakness,” he said. “Presence and action speak much louder than words. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.'”

Before joining The Chosen, Cairo admits he went through his own season of doubt. Although raised Catholic, he had drifted from his faith while pursuing a career in acting in Los Angeles. “Right before booking The Chosen, I had been in Los Angeles for a few years auditioning and taking classes and just wasn’t getting anywhere in my career,” he said. “I didn’t feel fulfilled and was missing my family back home in Michigan. This was also at the exact time I was missing having a connection to my faith.”

A friend invited him to join a nonprofit program focused on service and personal goals—a turning point that changed everything. “Two of mine were to book my first series and get closer to God,” he said. “I committed to reading the Bible every day and praying as well as continuing my acting training. A couple of weeks before the program ended is when the audition for The Chosen came.”

Now, Cairo sees storytelling as an act of worship. “I see creativity as one of the purest reflections of God’s image in us,” he said. “I thank God every day for being able to be a vessel, not only for Thaddeus’ story, but His as well.”

He says prayer remains at the center of his process. “My faith and prayer anchor me. It’s the backbone of my preparation for Thaddeus,” he said. “At the end of the day, my faith and full surrender are what I believe free me to tell his story.”

Through his new devotional, Cairo aims to connect with a generation seeking God through modern means. “Glorify has so much to offer the young generation, from guided meditations, Bible readings, daily devotionals, to playlists that cater to the user’s preference,” he explained. “Especially with media being so popular with today’s generation, the options to connect deeper to their faith are endless.”

Cairo believes stories reach hearts before minds, making faith more tangible and relatable. “When we see faith lived out through the characters on screen and the emotions they emote, that touches our hearts,” he said. “That’s why projects like The Chosen and Glorify matter. They invite people to experience faith in a personal way.”

Ultimately, Cairo hopes the collaboration will encourage others to trust God’s timing and presence. “My hope for this collaboration between The Chosen and Glorify is that it helps people dive deeper into their relationship with God in their everyday lives,” he said. “This is a partnership that can turn inspiration into transformation.”

He added softly, “God sees you. He sees us all. You’re never alone. When we follow Jesus’ humility and love, He brings those with that same heart into our lives.”

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