Sermon – Page 21 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

Mahibere Kidusan Graduates Spiritual Instruments and Geez Language Trainees

“The Sacred Harp song revives and resumes to its original status”

October 27, 2016

By Kassa Nigus

Abune Gorgoryos Education and Training Centre under Mahibere Kidusan (MK) Development Institutions Administration graduated 550 trainees in spiritual instruments and Ge’ez language at a ceremony held on October 23, 2016 at MK’s headquarters. Graduates of the 12th round of training include 358 trainees of Harp (Begena); 35 in single string instrument (Mesenqo); 89 in drum; 6 in flute and 62 in Ge’ez language.

Deacon Getnet Frew, Vice Chairman of the Board of Mahibere Kidusan Development Institutions Administration made welcoming remarks at the occasion. In his congratulatory message at the graduation ceremony, H.G. Abune Mathias, Archbishop of Canada Diocese, said “You all guests of honor are gathered here to serve God, and to do this we need peace in the country. So we need to pray vigilantly that God gives love, peace and kindness to our country.”

Seife Alemayehu, Head of Domestic Centers and Deputy Secretary General of MK, on his part said the primary objective of the association is to transfer the tradition of the church across successive generations without distortion. He added, “You graduates should pass what you learned to others and fulfill this mission.”

It was also disclosed at the ceremony that Abune Gorgoryos Education and Training Centre has plans to expand the training program. Ato Haily Fesha, Managing Director of Development Institutions Administration, handed certificates to candidates and donor organizations. The ceremony was finally closed with prayer.

The institution cordially invites you to participate in one of these programs.

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Holy Synod undertakes its first annual session

October 24, 2016

By Mesfin Zegeye

The regular session of the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church started on October 22, 2016 per the declaration stated in Feteha Negest which stipulates that the Synod convenes its regular sessions twice a year (in October and May).

During His opening speech, His Holiness patriarch Abune Mathias dwelt on the importance of love, unity and development quoting from the Gospel of John chapter 17 verse 11. The following are points drawn from the statement the patriarch emphasized on:

Overcome and reverse the evil thoughts of those who have been using healthy and natural differences of people for stigmatization so as to break up peaceful co-existence of people God has made one by His grace.

Our Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to make the unity among His creatures strong, as His teachings and deeds amply showed. Nowadays, the world is becoming one village socially and economically; this is made possible by the Will and Wisdom of God, and not by the making of the world.

We, bishops are ordained as the apostles of peace by the Lord God; God’s Peace has been sent to the people through us. However, we have not been discharging our responsibility as required to make the people live in harmony, unity, peace, and love. So we have to fulfill our duty as per our promise to that end.

The current state of violence inflicts enormous damages of conscience and peace in the people. Thus, we have to make utmost efforts until peace is established on solid foundation.

We, bishops, theologians, priests, and preachers have to be models by teaching and being exemplary in deed.

The Church shall communicate its message of peace centrally and in neutrality to all.

The Church should show her motherly role to the youth through development endeavors and creating job opportunities for them.

Over 50 Thousand New Believers Baptized Orthodox

October 22, 2016

By Kassa Nigus

According to 2015/2016 Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church Patriarchate annual report presented during the 35th General Holy Council of the Church (from 17 – 20 October, 2016), 50,737 new believers have been baptized and flock into the fold of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church through evangelical expansion program.

In some of the diocese where new believers baptized, churches built; native preachers of the area have been trained and priests assigned for church service.

Among a total of 50,737 new believers, 18, 578 are baptized in collaboration with Mahibere Kidusan. It also indicated that there are multiple members who have been attending Pre-baptism courses in preparation for their re-birth before their baptism.

List of Newly Registered Members with respective Diocese

No	Name of Diocese	Number of newly baptized members
1	North Wollo	409
2	Assosa (including the regions Vice president called Abdul Muhammad)	217
3	Metekel	13,019
4	Kemessie	130
5	Sidama	1,817
6	East Wellega	341
7	South West Shoa	1,631
8	North western Shoa (selale)	71
9	Gambella	87
10	Western Wellega	887
11	Western Shoa	5,500
12	Keffa	4,550
13	Michew	81
14	Sheka Bench Maji	957
15	Hadya and Siltie	1,224
16	South Omo	6,075
17	Hararghe	114
18	Awi Zone	52
19	Bahir Dar	25
20	Gamo Gofa	12,099
21	Western Gojam	90
22	Welayta Konta	1,305
23	South Gondar	55
Sum		50, 737

Source: Bulletin, “Awaji Negari” Prepared for the annual parish council of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

The Largest Cross Tower Erects in Adigrat City

Infeatured news, October 20, 2016

By Kassa Nigus

Africa’s great cross tower inaugurated and displayed for public in Adigrat city in a specific place called Kenda’ero after the sanction of His Holiness Abune Mathias I, Patriarch of Ethiopia, Archbishop of Axum and Ichege of the See of Saint Taklehaimanot.

The Cross Tower made up of pure iron and aluminum at a cost of bir1.4mn covered by the Adigrat City administration, Tigray State Culture and Tourism Bureau and local believers. The Cross has 22m height, 15m width, and a weight of seven tons.

The new Cross tower is built at the hub of several church compound; Debre Tsehay Holy Trinity in the northwest, Debre Golgotha Keranyo Holy Savior Cathedral in the East, Debre Hail Mar George in the South, St Kirkos in the western part.

Alhough there were efforts of local believers to set up the project, it mainly accomplished by the initiation of a devoted Christian called Hagos Wolde Gabriel. Hagos made a great contribution along with their friends who have been living in the United States of America. He started the work being with the recognized committee after having obtained building permit from Adigrat city administration.

His Holiness patriarch Abune Mathias delivered his inaugural address to the crowds, “We shall feel a great sense of pride and happiness as we watched the cross tower on the top of this mountain on the feast day of the cross; Peace, love and unity are derived from the cross. Anyone who believes in Cross, he will not be suing each other and hasn’t a grievance against his brother too; Jesus Christ said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do’ to preach love; the Cross itself is love. We should pray for our country and preserve our faith and safeguard the holy cross which is the Savior of all”.

His Grace Abune Deyoskoros, Archbishop of the Diocese and General Manager of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church noted on the feast celebrated at Debre Menkirat St Kirkos and Holy Savior Church, “It is splendid to raise the cross on peak of this mountain as it is the seats of early holy places which may contain sacred materials. The cross is the savior of life, the logo of peace and unity".

Archbishops, senior government officials including Ato Abay Weldu, president of Tigray State, and more than fifty thousand pilgrims attended the inauguration ceremony.

Source: Sem’atsidk News Paper (from October 12-26, 2016), a bimonthly Newspaper published by Mahibere Kidusan.

The 35th Patriarchate General Parish Holy Council Begins

October 18, 2016

By Kassa Nigus

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church started this year’s annual patriarchate General Parish Holy Council in the hall of the Patriarchate on October 17, 2016, in accordance with the Church’s Regulation Act (Kale’awadi) to hold the council at the beginning of October annually.

More than 400 participants from the Holy Synod, departments of the patriarchate, as well as representatives from various organizations and officials from more than 50 domestic and foreign dioceses, parish councils, and the laity are in attendance at the session.

His Holiness Patriarch Abune Mathias, chairman of the council, in his benediction on the occasion said, “We, priests should never forget the crucial role of the parish council, the evangelist device that confirms our richness”. He stated that the Parish Council is the single most important key to ensure the sovereignty of the Church by strengthening and asserting the spiritual, social and economic status of the church.

He also noted that the parish council is the biggest source of wealth that guarantees the day to day functioning of the church; though the Church is exhibiting slow growth due to maladministration. However, priests should not think about their personal wealth. Rather, they should take great care, constantly day and night, about the protection of believers faithfully to serve as God’s Word commands.

During this general assembly, performance of the Church in the past fiscal year and future plans of every diocese as well as every issue that concerns the church, including the current burning issue, the issue of peace, are big agendas of the session. The Council will be closed on Thursday, October 20, 2016.

Official Statement of the Holy Synod up on the Current Affairs of the Country

October 10, 2016

By Kassa Nigus

“And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” Jer 29፡7

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen.

Previously, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church has been expressed her sadness and declares a period of prayer up on the loss of many lives, damage and destruction of property following a frequent violence of people against the government in most parts of the country. Now, the Church also issued a statement on the loss of human life gathered at the Oromo Irreechaa annual festival in Bishoft ( Debre Zeyit), 47.9 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa on October 1, 2016.

As the prophet Jeremiah taught us that humans shall seek peace for the country for peace of its people based on the peace of their country. The basic concept of peace is a condition whereby people live together in unity. Even everybody can understand that ‘Greetings’ people communicate in their everyday life is the result of peace.

Our Beloved Ethiopians:

Following the loss of our brothers in Irrecha Oromo annual festival, the Holy Synod of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has now released a statement expressing their “deepest sympathy and sorrow”. Accordingly, the Holy Synod decided to hold a seven – days period of prayers;

To remember those who lost their lives from this world for God may rest in Heaven the departed souls since October 5, 2016 across the country and foreign diocese, monasteries, parishes and churches.
May our Lord, the owner of Peace grants peace for Ethiopia and its people and to heal victims of the violence.
Even if the need to come up with everlasting peace is a task of everybody, our church takes joint effort remarkably with all stakeholders to bring peace. Finally, the church strongly commends that unsatisfied Ethiopians shall forward their valid question in a socially responsible Ethiopian manner, and the government shall respond a fair and timely response according to his responsibility.

May God saved the soul of our brothers departed from this world!

May God glorify His mercy for those who are in medical treatment!

May God protect Our Country and its People!

His Holiness Abune Mathias I,

Patriarch of Ethiopia,

Archbishop of Axum andIchege

of the See of Saint Taklehaimanot.

Orthodox Patriarch Kirill Signs Appeal to Ban Abortion in Russia

September 30, 2016

By Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church signed on Tuesday an appeal to introduce a total nationwide ban on abortions in Russia, Patriarch Kirill’s spokesman said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to Father Alexander Volkov, the appeal calls for recognition of the beginning of human life at the moment of conception and stresses that the embryo should be legally protected.
The document also proposes to ban any surgical or therapeutic interruption of pregnancy, as well as “the use of contraceptives with abortion-inducing effects.” According to Russian pro-life activists, about 1 million women in Russia have induced abortions every year.
Source: http://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog/news/orthodox-patriarch-kirill-signs-appeal-to-ban-abortion-in-russia/

Ethiopian Orthodox Church Marks Festival of the Holy Cross

September 28, 2016

The finding of the True Cross ( Meskel ) celebrated on September 26, 2016 before the presence of the Patriarch, Archbishops, Directors of departments of the patriarchate, heads of churches and monasteries, priests and preachers, members of Sunday schools, many thousands of believers, senior government officials and visitors from various parts of the world at Meskel square in Addis Ababa. The feast celebrated across the nation similarly in other public squares in the rest of Ethiopia.

His Holiness Abune MathiasI, Patriarch of Ethiopia, Archbishop of Axum and Ichege of the See of Saint Taklehaimanot said that the festivity of Cross forces us to remember two things: first, Christ and His love; second, God’s salivation that took place on the cross. Meskel (Cross) preaches about peace, unity, freedom, reconciliation and testifies about salivation of mankind, God’s saving plan and the sing of victory, he added.

The main reason why the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of Cross (Meskel) is that the cross abolished separation wall between God and mankind, instead it teaches about peace, unity, brotherhood, morality, respect, trust and tolerance. It mainly brings a perfect and lasting love. He also appreciates the registration of Meskel festivity in UNESCO as intangible world heritage in the name of Ethiopia since through which we get favorable ground in the world forum to preach the Cross and hence we shall glorified our great God who gifted us this opportunity.

Mahibere Kidusan undertakes its 12th general Council

September 7, 2016

By Kassa Nigus

Mahibere Kidusan (MK) undertook its 12th general assembly for three consecutive days from September 3 – 5/ 2016. The biennial deliberation on performance involved a series of intensive discussions that continued day and night.

The day time deliberation took place at the hall of the patriarchate while the night time discourse occurred at MK’s hall.

Archbishops including the General Manager of the Patriarchate, his grace Abune Deyoskoros, his grace Abune Lukas, his grace Abune Selama, his grace Abune Gabriel and his grace Abune Entons attended the general council and expressed their fatherly message and blessings. Members of MK who participated in the discussion came from within and outside of Ethiopia, such as US, Europe, Africa and Arab countries.

Two studies were presented in the conference focusing on “current challenges of Orthodoxy and its negative global pressures on its believers and its solution, and how we can work with stakeholders of the church for effective services.

Also presented on the occasion was implementation report of the last two years plan by the association, which was followed by a thorough discussion on various problems encountered in realizing targets set.

Furthermore, the overall financial report of the last two years has been presented by external auditors who have satisfied the necessary legal requirements.

Election of a new management body for MK took place as the terms of office for the former management has elapsed after four years in office.

Best practices in Christian way of life by selected area offices was also presented as part of the event in an attempt to inspire the youth to energize their spiritual lives by sharing experience.

At the end of the program, a 20 minute spiritual documentary film was presented to the participants. The documentary consisted of advice and promise of archbishops and evangelists to protect the Church. Message in the film stressed the need to understand one’s own role as a Christian and in the life of the Church, and the need to safeguard the church vigilantly.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church Reclaims Its Confiscated Houses

August 31, 2016

By Tsegaye Girma

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church reclaimed 28 houses which were confiscated from the Church during the nationalization program of the Dergue regime.

Megabe Kahinat Haile Selassie Zemariam, director of department of clergy administration and chairman of houses and building joint committee, which is tasked with returning the churches’ confiscated properties, said the 28 confiscated houses were returned to the church from three sub cities of Addis Ababa on August 25, 2016: 18 houses from Lideta sub city, five from Yeka and another five from Kirkos sub cities.

He also noted that based on the assessment of the committee, 283 buildings of the church, which were seized by the Dergue regime, have been identified in different sub cities of Addis. Among the houses, 137 of them have legal land certification. Furthermore, 109 of the houses will be returned to the church till the end of this year.

The committee will continue its efforts to reclaim all the remaining buildings and houses to the church in the future, Megabe Kahinat Haile Selassie added.