Fasts – Page 4 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

Holy፡ The Second week of the Great Lent

Accord Saint Yared’s “Book of Tsome Deguwa”, the second week of “The Great Lent” is known as “Kideset” Amharic word to mean “Holy.” Holy is “purity, integrity.” This being the reason that in our Holy Church, all the songs sung and the readings during the “Divine Liturgy” are all regarding holiness. The second Sunday of the fast is termed as “Holy” because it is a dedication of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s coming to earth for the salvation and blessing of mankind, to be exemplary for holiness during His coming at the apostasy era through His work and His fast which is the Great of all the fasts.

The Great Lent

The Great Lent is the holiest fast of our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of human beings. Therefore, we fast for forty days on the fast following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. This year’s fast starts on Yekatit 13 (February 19, 2023), and ends at Miyazia 8 (April 16).

Fast of Nineveh

The Fast of Nineveh is a three-day fast starting Monday to Wednesday usually abstaining from all dairy foods and meat products. Moreover, it is to more meticulously abstain from food and drink altogether for three consecutive days. This year’s fast starts from Tir 29 (February 6) and ends at Yekatit 1 (February 8).

The Fast of Prophets

Mankind was bestowed a hope of salvation as the prophet foretold prophecy about the mystery of “Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” to be born from Holy Mother Saint Mary. Conferring the word of God, Christians fast “The Fast of Prophets.” This fast is amongst the seven fast and thus all in the name of Orthodox Tewahedo religion shall fast. This year’s fast begins at November 24, (Hidar 15) 2022 (2015 E.C) and lasts until January 6, (Tahisas 28), 2023 (2015). At January 7 (Tahisas 29), on the celebration of the Birth of Lord Jesus Christ, it is festival.

The Exodus of Saint Mary and Lord Jesus Christ

Our Lord Jesus Christ came to the land of Egypt when He was a two years old child, as the Bible says in Matthew 2:13 that the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying: “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”

Fast of the Ascension of Saint Mary

Onwards the death of our Holy Mother Saint Mary, the Apostles continued to be sad and sorrowful, because of her separation from them. Because they were left orphans by her; for our Lord had given them the hope of seeing her in the flesh.

Whilst John the evangelist was preaching in the country of Asia, on the sixteenth day of the month of August he was caught up in the spirit to the Garden of Delight, and he saw our Lord Jesus Christ sitting by the Tree of Life, where was the body of our Lady Mary. He then commanded His Seven Angels to summon her from earth….

The Apostle’s Fast

The twelve apostles formed the inner core of the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. They were personally chosen by the Lord Himself, had the power of working miracles, and were inspired to teach and to do extraordinary mission work. On the Feast of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came down on the apostles and they became great, giving witness with the power of the life and death and the resurrection of Lord Jesus as He declared they should. “When the Bridegroom shall be taken from them then they shall fast.” (Matthew 9:15)

The Apostles’ Fast is the oldest fast and the first one kept by the Christian Church. During the Apostles’ Fast, the Holy Spirit spoke to them, “As they ministered to the Lord and Fasted the Holy Spirit said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” (Acts 13:2-3)

The Suffering and Death of Lord Jesus Christ

As we contemplate Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s Passion, we have a tendency to overemphasize the physical suffering and sacrifice Jesus Christ experience because it is material, tangible and easy to understand. He was spat upon, cursed at, whipped, beaten, humiliated, scourged and finally crucified. But overemphasizing the physical suffering leads to undervaluing the enormous spiritual suffering He experienced during those last days.

Holy Passion Week

Passion Week is celebrated in Holy Church in the observation of the sufferings of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; it is the week is the week of praises. The path of Lord Jesus’ suffering started since His birth. The prophet Isaiah said, “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3) Lord Jesus was born in a manger because Saint Joseph the righteous and the Holy Virgin Mary were unable to find room on their way to the registration of Census. (Luke 2: 7)

Passion Week

Dear Children of God how are you? Praise to the Almighty for His mercy and will to keep us alive and peace!

Children, we hope you are well and strong throughout these fasting weeks. How is school and life at home? We assume you are behaving as well as Christian children obeying and respecting you father, mother, siblings and you other elders.

Dear Children! Today we are going to teach you about the last week of ‘The Great Fast’ which is called ‘Passion Week.’