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.”
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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!
At the year 325 A.D., 318 fathers assembled in the city of Nicea, in the days of Emperor Constantine, the righteous Emperor. Among them were the heads of the four Sees and they were: Anba Alexandros, the 19th Pope of Alexandria, who was accompanied by Athanasius, his Archdeacon and private secretary; Estasius, archbishop of Antioch; Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem. Sylvestros, archbishop of Rome, because of his old age did not attend and sent two priests in his place.The reason for their assembly was to judge Arius who was a priest in Alexandria. He blasphemed against the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ by saying that he was not equal in essence to God, His Father, and there was a time when the Son did not exist.
The history of Gishen Mariam’s parishes establishment has its own reasons. The fragment of the Holy Cross came to Ethiopia from Alexandria in Mesekrem 10. Yet it was kept at Gishen in a church, in Meskrem 21 where Emperor Zera Yacob, announced it to the whole Ethiopia in reading texts.
The absolute love proven, the announcement of peace, our affirmation of liberation, and avow of salvation, the finding of the holy cross is a great feast and thus celebrated every year. The first man Adam betrayal put him to trail and so The Holy Son came down from the heavens to suffer and be sacrificed upon the cross. This being a big reason, we make a great feast on Meskerem 17.