Entries by Hiwot M

“Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him” (Matthew 3:13)

Dear Children of God, how are you? How was Holiday? How did you spend the celebration of Lord Jesus Christ birthday? Hope it was joyful and cheerful. Yet another holiday is coming and all Christians shall celebrate it together. Do you know what the holiday is? It is Epiphany (Timket) Happy Epiphany to you and your Family! So today, we will tell you the story of Lord Jesus Christ’s baptism by the hand of Saint John the Baptist and the celebration of Epiphany Holiday.

After Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Saint Mary raised Him in Jerusalem following their return from Egypt and Ethiopia. When He became thirty years of age, He came to Jordan river where Saint John was teaching God’s word and baptizing and He was baptized as well.

Liturgical Worship 

In Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Liturgical language has a long history in Ethiopia going back to the time of the translation of the bible in to the Geez language in the fifth century. The main unique features are: –

Feast of Circumcision of Lord Jesus Christ

Holy church celebrates the commemoration of the circumcision of the Lord Christ, to Whom is the glory on Tir 6 (January 14). God had ordained the law of circumcision as a sign that His people would become a particular people over all others. This was that every male of the seed of Abraham be circumcised on the eighth day of his birth. God put every soul that did not obey this law under judgement.

“Look to The East” (Divine Liturgy)

The word ‘East’ has religious meanings accord Holy Churches education. To begin with, Holy Mother Saint Mary and Holy Church is symbolized by east. “Originally altars were located at the east end of churches because it is there where the sun rises, symbolizing Christ as the “Sun of righteousness who sends His illuminating rays to light our souls.” (Dictionary of Church terms by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty page 42)

“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10)

Dear Children of God, how are you? How are you welcoming the feast of Lord Jesus Christ’s Birth day? We hope you are getting ready to celebrate it with your family, neighbors and friends. Though it is the time for holiday, you must also be prepared for the mid semester exam and study hard. You shall read more and understand well the courses and notes that your teacher taught you. We hope you do well in your exams and pass all of them.

Dear Children, as education is practical knowledge, you have to make use of what your teacher teaches you every day in school to be a good student, child and citizen. If so, it will help you to be good for others and make God happy. You will become generous, kind, intelligent and have love for people. Good children! Today we will tell you the story of “The Birth day of Lord Jesus Christ.”

Feast of Abune Tekele Himanot

On April Megabit 24 (Abune 2) Tekele Haimnaot was conceived and born on Tahisas 24 (January 2). He then praise God saying, “The One Father is Holy, the one Son is Holy, the one Spirit is Holy.”

Priest Tsegazeab and Egizihareya named their son “Fisha Tsion” to mean “The happiness of Zhion.” They raised blessed child with church education and under the law of God. Then one day, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came to him and chose him to preach holy gospel, as an apostle. He also changed his name to “Tekele Haimanot” which means “The plant of religion, The plant of holy Father, plant of Holy Son, Plant of holy spirit.”

You will see it with your eyes

Long ago, there was a great famine in Samaria, dreadful to the extent of tempting a mother to eat her child. Then, there was a man of God named Elisha in this regime and he said, “Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria. So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, “Look, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, could this thing be? And he said, “In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it.” (2 Kings 7:1-2)

Liturgical Worship

Fasting that is done with prayer and bowing is delivered and accepted before God. Thus, it does not only grant us mercy and salvation, but blessing. Accord, our work, service and Marriage will also be blessed.

Sermon and Holy Gospel

Prophet David said, “Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, For we have been brought very low.” (Psalm 79:8), Holy Son came down from heaven to save all imprisoned in enemy’s cell and preached Gospel.