About Mahibere Kidusan
Name
The association was named Mahibre Kidusan (an association in the name of Saints) Saints would be commemorated in that they abounded the secular world and sacrificed their lives to the orthodox belief for whom the prophets prophesized and apostles evangelized.
History
In 1977 E.C (Ethiopian Calendar) few students of higher education initiated the youth in the compass to become members of Sunday school and know the teachings of the churches. Later, this effort had been strengthened by students trained in the Zeaway Hamere Berehan St.Gebreil Clergy Training Monastery by the Then Arch Bishop of Shewa Abune Gorgorious II.
The movements continued in Bilatie military camp that brought all students of higher institutions in the country in 1983 E.C after a year, with the blessing of the church fathers the associations was set up by the name “Mahibre Kidusan” under the Sunday School Department of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Since then the associations has been proving spiritual service.
Vision
“Envisioning the Church fulfill its universal leadership role.”
Mission
Fructify and procure an organized, whole, eloquent, moderate, versatile and leader generation who strives in achieving the church’s mission and diligently work for her existence.
Institutional Asset
OBJECTIVES
Stand
The association shall not interfere in administrative affairs of the church and it is free from and political affiliation.
Membership
- Disciples who trained in various training institution of the church and providing ministerial activity.
- Higher institution students attending Sunday in their respective parishes.
- Member of Sunday school or/and parish that provide spiritual service after graduating from higher institution.
- The laity who support the objective of the association with their knowledge, money and labor.
Structure
Mahiber Kidusan is set under the Sunday School department of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. It provides spiritual services by its sub centers in the dioceses all over the country and in the Diaspora.
The Fast of the Apostles
This fast, also known as the Fast of Peter and Paul in some traditions, is one of the four canonical fasting periods in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and other Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches. It follows the celebration of Pentecost (the descent of the Holy Spirit) and varies in length each year because it begins on the Segno, after Pentecost (which is movable) and ends on 5 Hamle in the Ethiopian calendar), the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.
Feast of Paraclete
The Feast of Paraclete is a great feast of the Church, celebrated on the tenth day after our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ascended, and also on the fiftieth day from His resurrection. “Paraclete” is an ancient Greek word meaning “Comforter, Counselor, Advocate”; and this refers to the Holy Spirit. This feast is the day on which we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the proclamation of the birth of the Church, and the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise.
The Tenth Month
The month of “Sene” is the tenth one amongst the thirteen months of Ethiopian Liturgical Year. The meaning of the word is defined in the spiritual dictionary written by scholars Teacher Kfle Giorgis and Aleka Kidan Woldae and published by Desta Tekel Wolde. They have defined the word derived from “Senye,” to mean “it is beautified, to make two, folding, to put layer, change in appearance and character, to become another, to imitate.” (Aleka Kidan Wolde Kiflea, page 875)
Handouts
Dear Children of God! How are you? How is your spiritual life with your families and beloved ones? Hope it is pleasant, peaceful and joyful! How was the feast of “Ascension of the Lord,” and “Feast of Debre Mitmaq?” This was dual feast and celebrated colorfully in church! Did you go to the church with your families and beloved ones in spending it joyfully? Hope you did!
Little ones! We have now reached to the “Feast of Pentecost,” which is the “Feast of Holy Spirit.” Then after follows the “Fast of Apostle.” This is a fast that the apostles fasted after Holy Spirit descended upon them. They were given 72 languages to preach (teach the word of God) around the world and make people Christians by baptism.
The apostles fasted and so shall we Christians, by the name of Christ. This year’s fast begins at “Sene 2” and ends “Hamele 5,” at the feast of apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. So, in this season of fast, we do not eat food specifically, egg, milk and other milk products but only fasting foods such as vegetables, fruits and cereals.
Feast of the Ascension
The Feast of the Ascension is a feast in which we commemorate and celebrate the great mystery of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ascending to the highest heavens on the fortieth day after He rose from the dead, uniting His body with His soul, by the will of His Father, by His own authority, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit. This feast, in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, is one of the nine major feasts of our Lord and is celebrated with special spiritual rites and great joy.