Feast of Mount Quskuam
Our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ and His holy mother returnee from flight of Egypt and Ethiopia to Mount Quskuam, is a great feast celebrated by Holy Orthodox Incarnation Church.
The Commemoration of the Lord’s Crucifixion
The blessed day, where the eternal Lord’s Crucifixion is commemorated, Jesus Christ Incarnate, to Him, is the Glory, for the salvation of the world. Holy Bible states it as, “From the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.” (Matthew 27:45) That day, at the ninth hour, the sun had hidden its light, the moon bled, the starts had fallen and dead people had risen from the grave, when they saw their creator incarnated, hanging with His own free will on the wood of the Cross, inclined His head, and yielded up His spirit.
Patristic fathers teach us, “His Divinity parted not from His Humanity for a single moment, nor a twinkle of an eye, and He descended to the hades from the cross to save those in bondage therein.”The Apostle Saint Peter has also said, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison.” (1 Peter 3:18-19)
Abune Abib
Abba Bula, who was surnamed ‘Abib departed on Tikmet 25. His name meaning Bula “servant of God” and Abib to mean “Father of Many.”
Archdeacon and Protomartyr Saint Stephen
The Archdeacon and Protomartyr Stephen was the eldest of the seven deacons, appointed by the Apostles themselves, on Tikmet 17, to oversee charity in the early Jerusalem church, according to the “Book of Acts.” Therefore, he is called “archdeacon.”
Abune Aragawi of Dabra Damo
On blessed and holiday Tikmet 14, our holy Father Aragawi, who is surnamed ZaMikael disappeared. This holy man became a guide to the servants of God on the road. He went up to the holy Dabra Damo holding the tail of a serpent, and there he fought countless noble fights.
Saint Gabra Krestos
As they were burying him they found a paper grasped tightly in his hand and they were unable to remove it. They prayed together to the God of heaven; When they had prayed the paper was released from his hand, and they read it. They knew that he was their son. Then they wept bitterly and buried him. His tomb became a place where the sick were healed, the blind, where many miracles were wrought and where countless acts of grace were performed.
The Departure of Abba Demetrius I, 12th Pope of Alexandria
On the year 224 A.D., the pure and celibate father, the fighter of lusts, and the vanquisher of nature, Abba Demetrius I, 12th Pope of Alexandria, departed. This saint was an illiterate farmer, and was married. He lived with his wife 47 years until he was chosen a Patriarch.
Pictures of Salvation
Dear Children of God! How are you? How have you been in this New Year and the season of summer? Have you planned good things in this year and put it into practice? We hope your good wishes will come true in this year.
Little ones, if you remember we ended our lesson of last year with questions and answers from the education we have been presenting it to you consequently. It was significant trial and lesson for you to test yourself. May our Lord make this year as fruitful for as well! Good!
Now, we will proceed to the present lesson which is about “Holy Icons” that are also known as “Pictures of Salvation.” Our Holy Orthodox Incarnation (Tewahedo) Church has doctrine (teaching) about holy pictures of our Lord, God, Holy Mother Saint Mary, the Archangels, Angels, Saints, Holies, Hermits, Monks and Martyrs.
The Dessert Star
The Dessert Star is a prominent epithet for Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus, an Egyptian-born saint and founder of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church monastery at Lake Zuqualla. This title reflects his spiritual power and his life of severe asceticism in the desert, where he lived among wild animals like lions and leopards, famously raising dead animals and taming the beasts.
Saint Arsema
By Teacher Getachew Bekele
Saint Arsema was born to devout Christian parents, her father Saint Theodorus and mother Saint Athanasia. They were well-known for their faith, spiritual works, and dedication to God through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. However, despite their pious life, they were deeply saddened as they had no children.
Her mother, Saint Athanasia, earnestly prayed for a child, inspired by the story of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. God answered her prayers, and through the intercession of Archbishop Lydius of Caesarea, Saint Arsema was born into this righteous family.
Raised in a household devoted to God, Saint Arsema grew up studying the Holy Scriptures, living a life of prayer and spiritual discipline. Her unwavering faith and righteous deeds made her a shining example of Christian virtue.
Persecution under King Dyrtades
During her lifetime, the pagan King Dyrtades of Armenia ruled with cruelty, demanding worship of idols and punishing Christians who refused. Those who disobeyed faced severe persecution, yet the Christian community remained steadfast. Saint Arsema, inspired by their bravery, dedicated her life to defending the faith.
When she was just 20 years old, she boldly resisted the king’s commands to worship idols, declaring her unwavering commitment to Christ. The king, infatuated by her beauty and moved by her wisdom, tried to persuade her with worldly wealth and power. But Saint Arsema remained firm, proclaiming, “I am a servant of Christ the King. I reject all earthly riches and honor.”
Angered by her refusal, the king subjected her to brutal torture. Miraculously, God protected her from harm, and even lions that were released to attack her became gentle in her presence. Witnessing these wonders, many turned to Christianity.
Martyrdom and Legacy
Despite all attempts to sway her, Saint Arsema held steadfast to her faith. Ultimately, she and her fellow Christians were sentenced to death, yet God continued to reveal His glory through them. When they were cast into fire, angels rescued them, and when swords were raised, their faith only grew stronger.
Saint Arsema’s martyrdom serves as a testimony to the power of unwavering faith. Her life and death have inspired generations of Christians, and her feast day is celebrated as a reminder of the victory of faith over persecution.
May the prayers of Saint Arsema strengthen us in faith, hope, and love!