Sermon – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

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!

The Month of Flower

Time welcomes plentiful natural events. The universe receiving continuous occasions ornaments, the earth sometimes prosperous whilst other time desiccates. In winter season wets by the rain whilst in summer dries by the sun and warmth. When the wind in this season shakes her, the blooming flowers gives beautify.

This might be the reason for the holy man Abba Tsege Dingel to present flowers to holy mother Saint Virgin Mary. Rise on fourteenth century, this patristic father wrote the praise “Mahlete Tisge”, where all Christians praise in harmony beginning Meskerem 25 until Hidar 5, commiserating the exodus/flight/ of Lady Virgin Mary with her Beloved Son baby Jesus, Saint Joseph and Salome to Egypt and Ethiopia.

May the prayer, intercession and mediation of Holy Mother Saint Virgin Mary be with us; Amen!

The Assembly of the Ecumenical Council at Nicea

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.

Gishen Mariam

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 Finding of the Cross

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.

Demera

Later on the queen made a church be built and honorable placed the cross. The feast of the lighting of torch is related with the Saint Helena’s burning of Demera.

The Feast of Flower

At the time where earth is ornamented by flowers, there is a feast we celebrate specifically on Mesekerem 10, known to be “Teketsel Tsige (The Feast of Flowers).” Teketsel meaning “crown”, and Tsige to mean “flower,” is a feast that Holy Church celebrate in this ending of winter season. There are reasons for this also. One of them is related with the previous King’s stories.

The Miraculous Painting

When he had arrived in Jerusalem he knelt and prayed in the holy places, and he set out on his return journey without having bought the picture. Immediately he heard a voice, which said unto him, “Why has you forgotten to buy the picture?” being troubled by the voice he turned back into the marketplace, and found a picture of our Lady Mary, which had sweet features and a beautiful form. Having bought it he wrapped it up in cotton and in fine linen. as he was traveling along a terrible road in the desert thieves rose up against him, and when he was wishing to take to flight, a voice came forth from that picture which said, “Fear not: complete thy journey”; and he went on his way and none challenged him. Another time a savage lion rose up against him and wanted to rend him, and straightway an awful voice came forth from that picture and drove away the lion.

A Good Advisor

The foremost reason for the downfall of humans is the result of bad advice. Our father Adam though kept God’s law for seven years and live in heaven, he was deceived by the evil advice of Satan, then loose almighty Lord like God and holy place like heaven. This is due to evil advice; Now on this earth, alike previously, being aware or unaware, there are some bad advisers in deceiving and leading to unlawfulness.

On the other hand, there are good advisers initiating for goodness, direct the real path in enriching God, like Apostle Philip who is good advisor and dear friends. (John 1:46-51)

The Truth about Pagumen

The only extra month stated in the Ethiopian Calendar is pagumen. Ethiopia has her own equation in enriching new years. Thus she lives by her chronology, religion, liturgy, tradition devoid of tarnishing of identity.

Holy Church commemorates the second coming of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on this month. Patristic father teaches us about Pagumen which is the transgression month of summer to winter. These two seasons are the resemblance of light and everlasting life in the kingdom of God. They remind us about judgment day. Also on this month, we celebrate the feast of Archangel Saint Raphael and the opening of heavens.