The Eighth Month

Miyazia

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church teaching terms the eight month as “Month of Miyazia.” Miyazia is derived from the Geeze word “Mehaze” which means “maturation.”  It refers to “growth, braveness, maturation and seeking for spouse.” On this month, most Ethiopian use to wed and thus it is termed as Miyazia.

Aleka Kidane Wolde’s Geeze language dictionary explains it as follows; “in our country, matrimony is not held on the month of Ginbot and then there were weedings ceremony on Miyazia. Therefore, the Month of Miyazia is a weeding season or month. (Kidane Wolde Dictionary page 587)

The month is called Nisan by the westerns or in English is known as “April”, a name derived from the Idol they worshiped called “Aphrodite.”  Amongst the Romans, it is the fourth month and 45/6 years before Birth of Christ use to be celebrated it on 29th day. But then now, it celebrated on the 30th day.

The Lord, God has told the Israelis to commemorate this month as first.  He told Mosses and Aaron from Egypt saying, “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.” (Exodus 12:2) This is because it is the month the Israelis were liberated from Egyptian slavery. They came out of Egypt at 3844 B.C. On the fifth day; Prophet Mosses received the Ark of Covenant.

During this time, the Israelis transferred from Law of Mindset to Law of Torah (Pentateuch

Law). But when we come to Ethiopia, we were transferred from Law of Mindset (Pentateuch Law) after Minilik 1st brought Ark of the Covenant and Old Testament Books as well as the Levities Priest, before 1000 years B.C and after 593 years Mosses received the Ark of the Covenant.

The Month of Miyazia, Meskerem are related seasons; This is the reason why Ethiopians made the Month of Meskerem the first of feasts.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has made order accordingly for the celebration of major feasts. We will mention some of them in this article.

  1. Miyazia one is the departure day of Prophet Moses’s bother Aaron.
  2. Miyazia five is the departure day of the Prophet Ezekiel. And the birthday of Saint Jared.
  3. Miyazia six is the departure day of the Egyptian Mary. It is also the commemoration day of ancient “Dagem Tinsaye”, the day which Lord Jesus was revealed to the apostle Saint Thomas after His resurrection. It is again the birthday of our father Noah.
  4. Miyazia seven is the departure day of Joachim, the father of Holy Mother Saint Mary.
  5. Miyazia nine is the departure day of Abune Estinfase Christos.
  6. Miyazia twenty three is the martyrdom of Saint George.
  7. Miyazia twenty seven is the martyr Saint Fiqtor.
  8. Miyazia thirty is the martyrdom day of the apostle Saint Mark.

May the prayer, intercession and mediation be with us; Amen!