Fasts – Page 5 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

Palm Sunday

Orthodox Christians around the world begin Passion Week with Hosanna; Palm Sunday. In the Gospel of Saint John Lord and Savior Jesus Christ exultant Entrance into ancient Jerusalem is in scripted as, ‘The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast of Passover heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” (Saint John 12:12-15)

Nicodemus the Righteous, “A secret disciple of Christ”

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews during the Apostasy era, who learned Lord Jesus Christ sermons. This man was a teacher himself but knew that our Lord’s Holy words were the only powerful and true. He use to go Him in the night hour to hear His words seeking to avoid others spotting speaking to Him. He also craved to escape the world of darkness since he saw the light of salvation and life in Christ. Our kind and caring Lord Jesus did not reject but received him with Heavenly instructions. He talked to Nicodemus in a way that encouraged Him to ask questions.

The Faithful Servant

The story in scripted in the Matthew’s Gospel is exemplary. A man travelling into a far country who called his own servants and delivered to them his goods. To one servant he gave five talents, to another, two and to the last, one talent according to their ability and straightway went away on his journey. Then the servant who had received the five talents went, traded and made other five talents. Likewise the one who had received two also gained other two. But the servant who had received one went, dogged in the earth and hid his lord’s money.

The Sermon on the Mount

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”And Jesus answered…

The Impotent Man

The Impotent Man embedded for 38 years was desperately seeking strength and restoration of his capacity. He was stuck to the ground for probably more than half of his life and his status by the pool of Bethesda describes how the “very sinful sin” can paralyze our inner man who was born of God in His own image.

Lord Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Jerusalem where Our Lord Jesus Christ was born, circumcised, baptized, and lived for thirty three years for fulfilling the vow of salvation of mankind was a blessed city. Being the reason during the apostasy era, the Lord preached that many were saved and healed with His divine power. Though before His forthcoming heresies and pagans surfaced, His spread of ‘The Gospel’ called thousands and thousands to the House of God for eternal life. His words, preaching and miraculous spread all over the world, bringing them to witness His presence in His birth town.

But though there were others who denied Him being ‘The Holy Son of The Holy Father’ and refused to accept His words. They even tried to destroy His house ‘Holy Temple.’ Especially Jews were His foremost enemies which later on even were the ones to crucify Him. Even though His will was upon their deed for He had to sacrifice His life in saving us. This being the reality, Lord Jesus forbidden all evilness whilst His reside on earth.

Holy

Holy is a word that expresses the notion of purity and righteousness. All creatures of “The Holy Father, The Holy Son and The Holy Spirit” shall be Holy as He created us as in His image and embodiment.

“He had fasted forty days and forty nights” (Matthew 4:2)

His Love and Passion driving Him on earth for the salvation of mankind, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came from heaven to hunger, suffer and die in giving His life in return of us.

Nineveh’s Fast

Nineveh’s Fast is the commemoration of the penance of the Ninevites through the preaching of Jonah. It lasts for three whole days, representing the time spent by Jonah inside the belly of the whale, starting on a Monday to Wednesday exactly two weeks before the fast of the Great Lent. The eating of fish and all forms of animal fat are abstained from by the Church during this fast. (Jonah 3:1-10)

The Vigil of Christmas and Epiphany

Our forefathers of the Church, the chiefs of the Councils, have laid down the law that believers should fast on this day until the evening and that they should eat no kind of moist (or, fatty) food whatsoever. Only that kind which is eaten during the Great Fast of Lent.