Sermon – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

Labeling and its consequences

Labeling is categorizing a body or people by one character, and in terms of that, naming them. Professional experts states it has having numerous attitude. Amongst are its individualistic and socialistically naming people, stereotyping, and the fact about the labelers who present narratives but not the truth about punishing the wrongs. Labeling can be used as a measurement for stigmatization. It is not also a process which can be easily eradicated. It also makes the labelers and the labeled making their own judgment and even commit from hitting to murder.

Physical presence and spiritual absence

We might have heard teachers referring to our present situation in lessons or sermons, saying “your body is present but mind is absent.” This is their way of telling us we are neither listening to them nor following their teaching.

Offerings

There can never be a gift or present we could bestow to God Who is opulent, for all the marvelous work He endowed to the world. The Almighty Lord has created the heavens, the earth and all the gracious creatures in it. The entire universe is under His governance and thus seek no reward from any of His creatures. Yet in expressing gratitude, praise, prayer and love to Him, He wills to accept present from us.

Holy Water

The deeply rooted practice in Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, holy water, known as “Tebel” in Amharic, is a significant element of worship and ritual, believed to have healing and purifying powers. It is used in various ways, including for exorcism, treating illness, and purifying individuals. It can be poured onto people or consumed by drinking. Holy water is sometimes sprinkled on items or people when they are blessed, as part of the prayers of blessing.

The Fast of the Apostles

This fast, also known as the Fast of Peter and Paul in some traditions, is one of the four canonical fasting periods in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and other Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches. It follows the celebration of Pentecost (the descent of the Holy Spirit) and varies in length each year because it begins on the Segno, after Pentecost (which is movable) and ends on 5 Hamle in the Ethiopian calendar), the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

Feast of Paraclete

The Feast of Paraclete is a great feast of the Church, celebrated on the tenth day after our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ascended, and also on the fiftieth day from His resurrection. “Paraclete” is an ancient Greek word meaning “Comforter, Counselor, Advocate”; and this refers to the Holy Spirit. This feast is the day on which we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the proclamation of the birth of the Church, and the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise.

The Tenth Month

The month of “Sene” is the tenth one amongst the thirteen months of Ethiopian Liturgical Year. The meaning of the word is defined in the spiritual dictionary written by scholars Teacher Kfle Giorgis and Aleka Kidan Woldae and published by Desta Tekel Wolde. They have defined the word derived from “Senye,” to mean “it is beautified, to make two, folding, to put layer, change in appearance and character, to become another, to imitate.” (Aleka Kidan Wolde Kiflea, page 875)

Handouts

Dear Children of God! How are you? How is your spiritual life with your families and beloved ones? Hope it is pleasant, peaceful and joyful! How was the feast of “Ascension of the Lord,” and “Feast of Debre Mitmaq?” This was dual feast and celebrated colorfully in church! Did you go to the church with your families and beloved ones in spending it joyfully? Hope you did!

Little ones! We have now reached to the “Feast of Pentecost,” which is the “Feast of Holy Spirit.” Then after follows the “Fast of Apostle.” This is a fast that the apostles fasted after Holy Spirit descended upon them. They were given 72 languages to preach (teach the word of God) around the world and make people Christians by baptism.

The apostles fasted and so shall we Christians, by the name of Christ. This year’s fast begins at “Sene 2” and ends “Hamele 5,” at the feast of apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. So, in this season of fast, we do not eat food specifically, egg, milk and other milk products but only fasting foods such as vegetables, fruits and cereals.

Feast of the Ascension

The Feast of the Ascension is a feast in which we commemorate and celebrate the great mystery of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ascending to the highest heavens on the fortieth day after He rose from the dead, uniting His body with His soul, by the will of His Father, by His own authority, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit. This feast, in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, is one of the nine major feasts of our Lord and is celebrated with special spiritual rites and great joy.

“The hope of the righteous will be gladness” (Proverb 10:28)

The happiness in this world fluctuates. Falling, rising, sorrow and happiness are occurrences. One who gets money gets happy; when he losses get sad. Situations in our living vary; It becomes morning and gets darkened at night. There is no permanent thing on earth. Yet, happiness from God subsists for eternity!