The Great Lent is the holiest fast of our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of human beings. Therefore, we fast for forty days on the fast following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. This year’s fast starts on Yekatit 13 (February 19, 2023), and ends at Miyazia 8 (April 16).
Humans have the ability to only vison the existing gears that surface around the world. Though there are many wonderful beings on earth that can be seen with eyes, touched with hands and felt by textures, God has created magnificent creatures with His Mysterious work within the world whom are not gazed by man’s vision and acknowledged with his capability.
The end-time will follow, with a permanent separation between good and evil, between those who will be awarded eternal life of happiness and bliss in heaven, and those who will be condemned to the fire of eternal damnation, to the eternal remorse of their conscience for having rejected God and authentic life in Him and having joined the inauthentic life invented by the devil and His servants. A new heaven and new earth will be established, inhabited by righteousness (2 Peter 3:13). The Kingdom of God will be fully established; the Church will cease to exist. Finally, the Son of God will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, “that God may be everything to everyone” (1 Corinthians 15:28)
Animals does not have the characters of humans but are obliged to be obedient and good with training without having the mind to acknowledge the good and bad. How is that humans became numb to be considered mindless and act as beasts?
Brethren, we shall look deep in to ourselves and recognize our sinful acts and deeds, all the mistakes and harms we brought upon us to receive God’s mercy. It is the time for much prayer and fast without the desire and will of corporeal.
Once Pope Shenouda III in his homily said, “The person with peace of heart, does not fear evil, for he says to the Lord as David the Prophet says, “If I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” (Psalm 23:4) The faithful person lives in peace, for God exists and acts; manages all. He is the protector and the helper.
However, the one who has lost peace, even imagines difficulties when they do not exist, and even though there is Divine power surrounding him, he does not recognize it, and that is his great crisis. If you have an accepted prayer, you shall live in peace, and you will feel that since you have placed your troubles in prayer before God, and that He has received your case and surrounds it with His abundant mercies, He will lift your sufferings. And in the beginning of this new year, we pray that God intervenes and solves the problems of individuals and nations, even if they seem complicated and unsolvable. “For that which is impossible with men, is possible with God.” (Homily in Saint George and Saint Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Church, January 7, 2006)
Saint Paul said, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21). Hominid shall have patient in overcoming every harms and pass his test than to face them by force using physical power. Lord Jesus Christ told us, “In the world you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33) “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ” (Matthew 11:28) It is even more better to do good by and for our enemy for satan will anguish towards us in seeing the predicament be solved and the devil will depart far.
In Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Liturgical language has a long history in Ethiopia going back to the time of the translation of the bible in to the Geez language in the fifth century. The main unique features are: –
The word ‘East’ has religious meanings accord Holy Churches education. To begin with, Holy Mother Saint Mary and Holy Church is symbolized by east. “Originally altars were located at the east end of churches because it is there where the sun rises, symbolizing Christ as the “Sun of righteousness who sends His illuminating rays to light our souls.” (Dictionary of Church terms by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty page 42)
Long ago, there was a great famine in Samaria, dreadful to the extent of tempting a mother to eat her child. Then, there was a man of God named Elisha in this regime and he said, “Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria. So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, “Look, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, could this thing be? And he said, “In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it.” (2 Kings 7:1-2)
Fasting that is done with prayer and bowing is delivered and accepted before God. Thus, it does not only grant us mercy and salvation, but blessing. Accord, our work, service and Marriage will also be blessed.
Prophet David said, “Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, For we have been brought very low.” (Psalm 79:8), Holy Son came down from heaven to save all imprisoned in enemy’s cell and preached Gospel.