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.
The true vine our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came down from the heavens, wore the body of man, walked like one of us, taught His holy words, healed many by His miracles, endured pain and triumphed on the death which came upon humans.
Once upon a Sabbath, the heavenly King, the Lord Who appeared by the flesh of humans through the Birth from one Virgin Mary, came to Jerusalem riding donkey colt. By then, Israelis acclaimed Him by waving palm branches and laying cloaks on the ground in His honor.
The apostasy era attained many of Lord Jesus Christ’s sermons. Numerous followed Him in admiration of His words and listening to the teachings which endowed eternal life. He thought them about faith, the true religion and real life path. There was a Pharisee and also ruler of the Jews called “Nicodemus” who came to Jesus during the night when it was dark to talk to Him. The reason of his coming at night to the Lord was in avoiding others seeing him speaking to Him.
The gifts we receive are to be multiplied. They are not to be buried in the ground. About this, Saint Gregory the Great wrote that hiding our talent in the earth, is to use our gifts only for earthly things.
In the time of Lord Jesus, a talent referred to substantial amount of money. The message to us today is that God gives each of us something of considerable value and expects good stewardship and a return on what He has given. Although Jesus speaks to us about money in the Parable of the Talents, He is really talking about something far more important.
The biblical passage, “The Olivet discourse” is found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is a teaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on “Mount of Olive”, about His second coming and much more signs before its’ occurrence.
Aliments, illness and pain are health disaster incidence in people’s lives. The entire human race onwards the insolent of Adam, façades this trial as the Holy Bible states. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, curse came upon them and suffering in various kinds of diseases is amongst. (Genesis 3:16-19)
The attainment of both the worldly or eternal life, salvation or healing is through the faith in God and being faithful. What the impotent man was then asked might seem only for the healing of his aliment, our Lord had asked about the salvation of his soul as well. The Question “Do you want to be made well?” was about the sick’s man faith. Even for the cure from his disease, faith was vital as the Lord thought him. Moreover, He made him think about his soul’s salvation.
The third week of “The Great Lent” is known as “Synagogue” according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church education. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ entered to this synagogue, which served as the temple of Jews. Whilst in His teaching age in Jerusalem, there were synagogues in which the apostles also thought the gospel.
Holy Church has made order of Fast and accordingly, the second Sabbath of the “Great Lent” is known as “Holy.” Saint Jared in his Book of Tsome (Fast) Deguua has divided the weeks of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s fast and named them each. The second week named as “Holy” is the time of our Lord’s fast commencement in Corinthian Monastery for forty days. What we mean when we say “Holy Week” is “chosen, unique, honored week.” (Book of Geeze Dictionary /Sewasew Wegese/, page 784)
Dear Children of God! How are you? How is the second semester? We hope you are learning and studying well more than before to score good grades!
Little ones! We have begun the Great Lent today. We believe you will fast as much as you can. You shall also not forget to attend Holy Church and learn spiritual teachings. Good! Children, now we will learn about obedience.