Feasts – Page 17 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

Debre Gishen

Set at elevation of 3,019 meter above sea level in Ambasel woreda, some 80 kilo meters northwest of Dessie, Wollo and 480 km north of Addis Ababa lays a cross-shaped mountain. It is one of the ancient, most sacred monasteries in Ethiopia, popularly known as the second Jerusalem, “Debre Gishen”

Gishen is home to four churches: Gishen Maryam, Saint Gabriel, Saint Michael and God, the Holy Father (Egziabher Ab). This holy place is where the sanctioning of a piece of the “True Cross” took place in 325 E.C. Holy Church celebrates this festivity annually on October 1st.

Feast of the Holy Cross

The twentieth year of the reign of Emperor Constantine, hailed the consecration of the Church, the Sanctuary and the grave of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise, in the holy city of Jerusalem, and of all the holy places which ‘Eleni (Helena), the empress, laid bare…

Feast of Saint Mary

The revelation of the miracle of our Lady Mary in the city of Tsedenya when oil dropped from the tablet with her portrait [painted] upon it as if it had been clothed with flesh is commemorated in our Holy Church.

Feasts of Saint John the Baptist

…when the holy head of Saint John was cut off, it flew up into the air…

Ethiopian New Year

The precious value of time is the destination of human’s life. It is the gift of God for us to embrace and cherish; as the days come, and the flow of time cycle brings months and we pass on to years….

Epistle

O believing, beloved, and Orthodox brethren, it is meet that ye should magnify our Lord Jesus Christ and His honorable Blood, and that we should praise God the Most High, and multiply His praises, and exalt His highness exceedingly, because He hath given unto us the grace of His goodness and the greatness of His compassion, which have brought us to this hour, which is the end of the revolution of the year of mercy of Egypt, and of Ethiopia, and Nubia….

Archangel Raphael

Glory to Raphael the archangel, the third of the vigilant, holy and heavenly archangels; and the dedication of his church which was built to him on an island outside the city of Alexandria in the days of Saint Theophilus the Archbishop; and the miracle which was made manifest therein.

Saint Thomas of Mar’as

The Holy Father, the fighter, conqueror, the soldier and Apostle of Christ, Thomas, Bishop of the city of Mar’as, the confessor died on this day. The tongues of men are incapable of describing the glory and righteousness of this Saint. Beings of flesh are incapable of understanding his excellences and virtues…

Feasts of Abuna Tekle Haimanot

Abuna Haimanot was born in Zarare, in the country of Showa. His father’s name was Saga Ze’ab, and his mother’s name was Egzi’E Haraya. His father belonged to the family of priests who illumined Ethiopia with their Faith; his wife was barren, and they used to pray to God to give them a son. whilst they were living thus, Satan made Matalome governor of Damot, and he laid waste the whole of the districts of Showa, up to the border of ‘Amhara….

The Seven Saints

The seven young men were first in the army Emperor Decius, and he appointed them to offices in his government. When he established the worship of idols, certain men made accusations against these saints to him, and he seized them and shut them up in prison. But as he wanted to go to another place he released them from their bonds and sent them away until he returned, thinking within himself that they would turn from their good counsel….