Entries by Hiwot M

The Exodus of Saint Mary and Lord Jesus Christ

Blessed Virgin Mary, in the presence of the old man Joseph and her aunt Salome, fled to Egypt as well as Ethiopia during the apostasy era. Joseph, who had been commanded to protect her, was shocked to see that her appearance sometimes turned red like a rose, and at other times it turned white like a pomegranate. He was would her “Mary” to make sure she was. Explaining this mystery, Saint John Chrysostom said, “I did not know her in any way because she looked like a rose and a pomegranate.” Thus, the Church has reminded us of the time of the monthly prayer for the praise of our Lady in a flower. According to the teachings of our Holy Church, the period from October 6 to November 16 is called the month of Tsige (Tsige / Flower Month) for It’s a time which Flowers blossom in the moonlight and bear, the flower representing Saint Mary and the fruit, being the symbol of Lord Jesus. 

Debre Gishen

Set at elevation of 3,019 meter above sea level in Ambasel woreda, some 80 kilo meters northwest of Dessie, Wollo and 480 km north of Addis Ababa lays a cross-shaped mountain. It is one of the ancient, most sacred monasteries in Ethiopia, popularly known as the second Jerusalem, “Debre Gishen”

Gishen is home to four churches: Gishen Maryam, Saint Gabriel, Saint Michael and God, the Holy Father (Egziabher Ab). This holy place is where the sanctioning of a piece of the “True Cross” took place in 325 E.C.  Holy Church celebrates this festivity annually on October 1st.

Comradeship

The path to our existence and living in Christianity is the tie and bond amongst us. The love, care and sympathy we have one another is what makes our home and neighborhood. The cord that ties and the light that guards our unity in our family, beloved ones and friendships is comradeship. The feeling inside our loving heart and good thoughts in our conscious mind is the definition to our comradeship in sociability.

Feast of the Holy Cross

The twentieth year of the reign of Emperor Constantine, hailed the consecration of the Church, the Sanctuary and the grave of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise, in the holy city of Jerusalem, and of all the holy places which ‘Eleni (Helena), the empress, laid bare…

Feast of Saint Mary 

The revelation of the miracle of our Lady Mary in the city of Tsedenya when oil dropped from the tablet with her portrait [painted] upon it as if it had been clothed with flesh is commemorated in our Holy Church.

“Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Earth is full of saccharine as well bitterness for it’s cursed whilst the first man kinds defied God’s command. Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake.”(Genesis 3:17)

Man living on this earth then shall have the will and knowledge to discriminate the harm and hold fast what is good by testing.  The significance of it in spiritual life is to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy. There is a true force working against humanity.  Satan wants us to be consumed in sin/corruption. “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. Its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” (Genesis 4:7)

“Turn from your evil ways” (2 kings 17:13)

Evil ways have many forms including harming others, racism, selfishness and worshiping pagans (witches). Any evil deed starts with the thought of harming others. People begin desiring what is not theirs and thus strive hard to attain it. This might even include stealing, corruption and murder for the sake of wealth, fame and happiness.

Ethiopian New Year

The precious value of time is the destination of human’s life. It is the gift of God for us to embrace and cherish; as the days come, and the flow of time cycle brings months and we pass on to years….

Epistle

O believing, beloved, and Orthodox brethren, it is meet that ye should magnify our Lord Jesus Christ and His honorable Blood, and that we should praise God the Most High, and multiply His praises, and exalt His highness exceedingly, because He hath given unto us the grace of His goodness and the greatness of His compassion, which have brought us to this hour, which is the end of the revolution of the year of mercy of Egypt, and of Ethiopia, and Nubia….