Martyr Philopator Saint Mercurius

Martyr Philopator whose name is interpreted as “lover of the Father” and also meaning “servant of Jesus Christ” died on December 4. The holy man was a native of the city of ‘Asletes, which was also the city of his father, and his grandfather who were born therein, and he was brought up in the city of Rome. Now the occupation of his father, and grandfather, and his kinsmen was that of hunters of wild beasts.

Holy Zion

Zion biblically symbolizing our Holy Mother Saint Mary originally refers to Mount Zion, a hill in Jerusalem, where Prophet David’s Palace is built and the Ark of Covenant is found.

Feast of the Archangel Saint Michael

The festival of the honored Saint Michael the Archangel, the head of the hosts of heaven, the Angel who is merciful to the children of men, who stand at all times before the great throne of God speaking on behalf of the children of man is celebrated on November 21.

The Departure of Saint Anna

The pious and righteous Saint Anna (Hannah), the mother of our Lady, the Holy virgin Saint Mary, the Mother of God, departed on November 20. This Holy woman was the daughter of Matthan, the son of Levi, the son of Melki, who was a descendant of Aaron the priest. Her mother’s name was Mary (Mariam) and she was from the tribe of Judah.

Feast of Debre Qusquam

Qusquam in Arabic is the name of mountain in Upper Egypt on which the monastery and Holy Church of Al- Muharraka are still standing. The Monastery marks where the Holy Family is said to have dwelt during their exile in Egypt. The Homily of Theophilus compares the Holy Mountain in Egypt with the Holy mountain of Zion and Refers to Mary as “Mary of Zion.”

Commemoration of Saint Mark, The Apostle and Evangelist

Saint Mark was born of Jewish parents three years after the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Saint Mark was a native of the North Africa county of Libya. He was born in the city of Cyrene in Pentapolis, The western part of Libya, west of the border of Egypt….

Archdeacon and First Martyr Saint Stephen

Dedication to the ordination of the First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen, who was stoned to death about three years after the Ascension of the Lord.

Commemoration of Archbishop Abba Demetrius

The  Holy  father,  the  pure  virgin,  the  fighter  of  lusts,  the vanquisher of natural appetites, Abba Demetrius the twelfth Archbishop of the city of Alexandria died on October 22.  This holy man was a man of the people (i.e., of lowly origin) and he knew not letters, and he used to work in a vineyard. His parents gave him a wife in his youth, and he lived with her until he was appointed archbishop forty eight years…

Feast of Abune Gebre Menfes Qidus

The righteous father who is entitled as “The Star of the desert” and “The Head of Anchorites” Abune Gebre Menfes Qidus, was born on January 2, G.C. (829 E.C) from his father Simeon, and his mother ‘Aklesya who were righteous…

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.