The Twelfth Month
Nehassie
The word “Nehassie”, is derived from “Nassie” which means “the last of, the twelfth of “Messkerem.”(Aleka Kidane Wolde Dictionary page 637)
The time from Hamele (15) Saint Cyrus’s feast up to the middle of the month, is a season of much thunder with its greater sound. On this season, the readings of the Divine Liturgy, praise the Lord and witness His marvelous wisdom. He is the one Who created clouds from the bottom of the earth. In another way, He divided the water in three, which was full up to the bright sky. The earth looked like liver previously; He put out the twelve winds.
As the Prophet David, “you visit the earth, and water it: thou greatly enrich it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou prepare them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.” (Psalm 65:9) On the month of Nehassie, the streams of earth increases by not only from the sky, but alike the age of Noah, the water seeming to generate from the earth, making the land wet, and it pours out the water full from the sky. Particularly, after the middle of Nehassie, the water stream from the previous month “Hamele” clears out.
The rain of the entered winter from Sene 26, decrease from the half of Nehassie. On this month, there are feasts that are celebrated in Holy Church, especially, Holy Mother Saint Mary’s resurrection and assumption on the 16th of the month.
We will subsequently mention the major feasts celebrated on this month.
- On Nehassie 6, we commemorate the departure day of Mary Magdalene.
- The seventh day of this month is the conception day of Holy Mother Saint Virgin Mary.
- The 13th day of Nehassie, is the holiday that Lord and Savior Jesus Christ revelation of His Divine Light on the Debre Tabor Mount.
- Nehassie 16th is the commemoration of the resurrection as well as assumption of Saint Virgin Mary.
- The 24th day of Nehassie is the departure day of our righteous father Abune Tekele Haimanot.
May the prayer, intercession and mediation of saints be with us; Amen!