Sermon – Page 25 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

Hamer ZeOrthodox Tewahdo Magazines Appear on the Web

November 26, 2015

By Mesfin Zegeye

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department Mahibere Kidusan Media department have made available on website photographic copies of magazines published between May 1985 and August 2000 (Eth. Cal.), Mahibere Kidusan announced.

Head of the department Deacon Dr. Mersha Alehegne told the media department that the reason behind uploading the magazines on website in this way is the fact that there are people who were not able to get the magazines that appeared regularly in the 15 years and these were unable to access copies of such educational materials. Thus, the target is making the magazines accessible to these people using internet technology.

One of the tasks bestowed upon Mahibere Kidusan by the Holy Synod is “to spread the Word of God among the laity,” the departmeent head said and went on to add, “accordingly, on the morrow of receiving such a mission from the Church, it started publishing Hamer ZeOrthodox Tewahdo magazine and Sime’a Tsidik ZeOrthodox newspaper and has been serving the Christian community for the last 24 years.

It has continued providing this service by adding various other media products to this day. Since a major focus of our association is strengthening this endeavor further, God willing, photographs of the magazines published for 15 years from the beginning will be made available particularly to the youth who have access to the technology and found spread around the world by putting the material on our website /http://eotcmk.org/hamer/. This service will also be provided in other publications of the magazine and Sime’a Tsidk newspaper as well”, the head indicated.

We will pray that God may reward our brothers and sisters who made it possible for the magazine to go so far by contributing the whole of their time, providing materials and opinions on content of the magazine, reading and distributing the publications, and finally making a lot of efforts for the publication to be on website, the head said. Deacon Dr. Mersha went on to add that this message be passed on to the public so as Christians read the publications.

Mahibere Kidusan announces launch of second round scholarship program (Featured news)

November 17, 2015

By Kassa Nigus

Mahiber Kidasan’s (MK) Holy Places Development and Social Service Department announced the launch of the second round of Abba Giyorgis Zegasicha free scholarship and training award at a ceremony held last week, on November 8, 2015 at Semein Hotel. The event was also aimed at raising the needed fund for the scholarship program run under the theme “ውስተ፡ አዕጻዲነ : ኵሉ፡ አቅማሕ : ሐዲስ : ምስለ : ብሉይ፡፡ At our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old) ” (Song 7:14).

Abba Giyorgis Zegasicha free scholarship and training award was initially launched last year with the aim of strengthening and preserving the traditional education system and schools as well as the canon and dogma of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and pass them on to future generations by equipping church scholars with modern secular education.

The scholarship program was initiated by visionary youth Christians recognizing the fact that the Church is lagging behind in terms of positioning itself in the modern world though it was the first to provide the country with an arts of early civilization, such as indigenous alphabet and writing system that making it one of the few countries in the world having their own unique alphabets.

The launching event for the second round of the scholarship program was attended by His Grace Abune Lukas, Secretary General of the Holy Synod and Archbishop of Setit Humera diocese, MK’s management staff, representatives of MK’s 46 area offices (Ma’ekelat), heads of coordinating bureaus, scholarship awardees and invited guests.

His Grace Abune Lukas noted on the occasion that the scholarship will go a long way towards reviving the country’s ancient church schools, history and tradition, and ensure their continued existence. Commenting on the university graduates who will attend church education as per the scholarship, His Grace said, “What amazes me most is their decision to dedicate their lives to study church education. I’m very glad to witness this as it reassures me that their communal learning program keeps the church’s doors open. We can use better approaches to maintain the church’s canon and dogma without distorting its rules.”

Ato Gizachew Sisay, Board chairman of Mahibere Kidasan’s Holy Places Development and Social Service Department, for his part said, “A survey we carried on church schools revealed that there are some high-level church scholars who cannot write and identify numbers. Some even use their finger print as signature as they couldn’t write though they are well educated church scholars. So we held an event in 2004 E.C at Gion Hotel to discuss the issue with both church and university intellectuals and find a way to run church education in harmony with modern secular education system. Then we decided to start the scholarship program under the title, “‘Abba Giyorgis Zegasicha’ free scholarship and training award”.

Ato Gizachw also added that the first (pilot) program started at basic primary education and adult training program at church schools in Gondar diocese. However, the second round is granted to awardees including church school students and teachers from 5thgraders to students of higher learning institutions.

At the event, W/o Alem Tsehay Meseret, Deputy Chairperson of Mahibere Kidasan’s Holy Places Development and Social Service Department, handed certificates to 17 awardees of the second round program. The awardees include both church schools teachers and students, parish administrators, students who studied in theological colleges and in colleges and universities and are interested in upgrading their church knowledge. On the occasion, the awardees presented different Ge’ez poetry (Qine), songs and short sermons in three languages (Gumuz, Oromifa and Amharic).

According to information obtained from the Department, the scholarship program includes both formal education and short and long term trainings.

1. Modern Education: secular education for church school teachers and students, which include:

Basic primary education
Secondary, preparatory school and higher institution education for outstanding students
Higher church’s college education

2. Church Education: to provide free church education for university graduates and certify them in one of the church school of excellences

3. Trainings: to improve the knowledge of church school teachers and students as well as evangelists who serve at different positions of the church’s hierarchy

Opportunities for Implementation of the Program: Better church school methodologies to understand modern education, for example, existence of:

Creativity, peer learning andself-learning among the students
The need to contribute to the fulfillment one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), providing basic primary education for all
Fulfilling the desire of church school students for modern education in parallel with their church education
Mahibere Kidusan’s experience in supporting church schools serves as spring board Beneficiaries of the program
Church school teachers currently engaged in teaching
Church school students currently studying at schools of excellence (Gubaeyat)
Church servants at different levels of the church’s hierarchies and engaged in evangelic services
Church school students who joined modern higher institutions and want to serve in different professions

Types of sponsorship the program covers:

Food supplies
Clothes
Training and formal education
Provision of educational supporting materials
House allowance for those who studied modern education and joined church’s school of excellence

List of 2008 E.C Award’s Costs

No	Level of Education	Average Monthly Aid	Financial Aid rate/year	Number of Beneficiaries	Annual Cost(in birr)
1	1^st -4^th class (adult program)	65.00	12	1000	780,000
2	5^th – 8^th class (regular)	375.00	12	30	135,000
3	9^th _ 12^th (regular)	400.00	12	20	96,000
4	5^th – 8^th class (distance)	375.00	12	10	45,000
5	9^th – 10^th (distance)	450.000	12	10	54,000
6	Theological Colleges	100.00	12	10	120,000
7	Higher learning institutions	300.00	12	5	18,000
8	Church’s schools of excellence (Guba’eyat )	1500.00	12	15	270,000
9	Leadership and entrepreneurship	250.00	1	800	200,000
10	Faith education and evangelical methodology	450.00	1	1300	585,000
Total				3200	2,423,000

Please join us for sustainable and efficient church services!

May the grace of Gob be up on us all!

Statement from Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church Holy Synod

November 4, 2015

By Kassa Nigus

In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and 0f the Holy Spirit, One True God, Amen!

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church makes its regular Holy Synod meeting twice in a year in accordance with the Church’s book of Fitha Negest, Article 5, and Sub-article 164. Accordingly, it has run its first meeting starting on October 22 to November, 2015 for twelve days. The Holy Synod opened the session with prayer to discuss on the following agenda:

Preservation and enforcement of the church’s faith and canon;
keeping and controlling church canon ;
Coordinating priests in their spiritual mission;
Teaching believers to persist in their faith and deeds and,
Deciding an order for the praise of God and church services .

The Holy Synod pledged to implement the declarations the council had passed before it wrapped up with the blessing and fatherly orders of His Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church.

The main declarations drawn from the statements include:

The Holy Synod has assessed every church aspects, both spiritual and social services, and it realized that due to the lack of rain in our country this year, drought and shortage of food have occurred in different parts of our country; thus, since it is natural that we need to carry the suffering of fellow citizens in accordance with the instructions of our religion and social values, in addition to teaching the public to share what they have, this Holy Church, which is the Mother of the people, needs to do everything in its capacity to help those in need, and that this conference of the Holy Synod deliberates on the issue. The Holy Synod appreciates what the government has worked on the disaster and deliberates to work being in the side of the government and other concerned charity organizations by establishing a committee led by one archbishop.
The Holy Synod has done meticulous discussion on the identification of the root causes of maladministration that affects the country and mankind as a whole. Accordingly, the Holy Synod has established a committee with nine members embracing archbishops to work on the general problems of the church, especially on corruption and maladministration.
It is known that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has valuable contribution to the country for centuries in teaching about peace, development, patriotism, and tolerance in all what she can. Now also it has completed the prerequisite criteria to launch modern media system (a 24hr TV channel) at a cost of 12 million birr for one fiscal year budget after studying the area by experts. The satellite TV will cover North East Africa, Western Europe and North America.
Establishing charitable organizations and sustainable development schemes in a diocese that has no charitable organizations to help orphans and helpless elderly people was another topic of discussion in the meeting.
It has been known that the Ethiopian Church is the pioneer in teaching- learning process of the country before modern education system started. Beyond many traditional church schools across the country, currently it has three spiritual colleges (Holy Trinity College, St. Paul Sewaswe Birhan Theological and Abba Selama Kesate Birhan [Revealer of Light] College), which have been producing many disciples serving the country in general and the church in particular . In view of that the Holy Synod has assigned three archbishops to assess the internal structure of the colleges and to increase the quality of education given there.
The Holy Synod has also decided to make accountable those who transmit evangelical services through different media and publish magazines, newspapers, songs, different pamphlets without the approval of the church under the country’s law.
To commence an assessment up on the usage of church instruments (vestments, crosses, drums, sistra, prayer stcks, etc.) which are the blessed property of the ancient, apostolic and orthodox church has been found mandatory because some other religious institutions have been using them corrupting the church’s innate ownership.
It is decided that children and family affairs organization established under the Ethiopian Church shall reinforce its aid to the orphans taking into consideration the current occurrence of drought and shortage of food in different parts of the country.
The Holy Synod has discussed on the strengthening of the newly opened theological colleges in Jimma and Bahir Dar towns to run their learning teaching process effectively in harmony with the benefits of the society;
The Holy Synod ratified the 2008 Ethiopian fiscal year strategic plan and budget that enables the Church to accomplish its duties in a better way than ever;
Ethiopia has endowed with the blessed young generation that understood the value of work and fearing of God as the beginning of wisdom that is witnessed in the social and spiritual services they contributed. Accordingly, the church has passed its message to the youth to improve their thinking capacity and innovation abilities;
To reinforce the evangelic mission through the improvement of the spiritual knowledge of the preachers, the Holy Synod discussed and passed special emphasis for its implementation;
It is obvious that, today, there is a great effort to improve the living standards of the society and to bring all round development for the benefits of the mass by government and society; in the same way, the Holy synod discussed in awakening the society for the accomplishment of the Renaissance Dam and preservation of natural resources;
In response to the request of Ethiopian believers abroad, the Holy Synod decided to establish churches in Japan and Korea and to send preachers to widen the social and spiritual mission of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church;
Members of the Holy Synod also passed a decision to build on the efforts to bring about reconciliation with their fellow bishops who set up another Synod abroad, and they confirmed that continuous discussion for unity is in the best interests of the church and the country at large; and
Finally, following the opening of the session by the speech of His Holiness the Patriarch, the Synod endorsed the declaration of the 34th general parish holy council to be the direction for the activities to be carried out in the 2008 Ethiopian fiscal year.

Abune Fanuel writes letter to Obama condemning legalization of same sex marriage

October 28, 2015

By Kassa Nigus

During the 34th regular General Parish Holy Council of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church which lasted three days, from October 19-22, 2015, the reports of all departments were presented. Among the presented reports, one is the report of Abune Fanuel, archbishop of Washington DC and California diocese under the Ethiopia Orthodox Tewahido Church.

In his report, His grace Abune Fanuel attached the letter written to the 44th and current President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama. The letter is full of rebukes against the endorsement of the same sex marriage in the constitution of USA in the presidency of President Obama. The letter read as follows;

To His Excellency, President Barack Hussein Obama
President of United States of America.
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. Washington D.C. 20500

Your Excellency, May God’s grace be up on you!

I am Abune Fanuel, archbishop of Washington DC and California diocese under the Ethiopia Orthodox Tewahido Church writing this letter to you. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has three dioceses (the throne of archbishops) in the USA: New York, California and Washington DC. We have no less than one hundred parish churches with more than one million church members.

Your Excellency,

We would like to thank you for visiting our country Ethiopia, the blessed land of GOD. This historic visit makes you the first American president to visit Ethiopia. We are so grateful for this visit.

Your Excellency,
We are in extreme sadness about the endorsement of same sex marriage during your presidency. GOD condemns same sex marriage. America is a blessed and sovereign country that is a host to people without any discrimination in race and colour. But the practice of Sodomite violates God’s law; brings disorder to the rule of marriage; and puts in danger the God-given law of generation succeeding generation.

This blessed land has been living by worshipping God and puts the label “we trust in GOD” in its currency to express subservience to GOD. But the law that was enacted recently will be invoking the Wrath of GOD the same way as recorded in the Holy Scripture, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted His way upon the earth.”(Genesis 6:11-12), “Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.” (Genesis 19: 24-25) This Wrath could befall in this land in your presidency for giving legal recognition for the rule of sodomite and trespassing GOD’s Commandment.

In the New Testament, St Paul in his epistle to Rome also teaches about the wickedness of sodomites and God’s rage in response to this shameful action, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, …Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever… For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Rome 1: 22-28)

Your Excellency,

In your term of office, a period in which we saw a lot of good things with our eyes and heard good news, it is not understandable to hear you, who we believe cares about all mankind, approved such a legal provision (sodomite), while we are still expressing our admiration for good job you have done. It is very wise to give the issue a lot of thought before it had a chance to take roots in the nation; not only for the sake of the kind of history you are making but also for America, the mother of all mankind, for it might bring the Wrath of God.

If the “GOD bless America” kicker sweet to the ears across the USA, is not counterbalanced by a practical respect for the Law of God, will be like the epistle of St Paul to Timothy, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof…”(Tim2. 3:5), as we learn from our apostolic fathers, “….We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts3:5).

Accordingly, we would like to express our indignation at and condemnation of this sodomite law on my own behalf and on the behalf of parishes found in my diocese.

Your Excellency,

We beseech you in the strongest terms possible to correct this historic error and to retrace the steps from this evil deed and repent so as to make sure God’s Laws are respected.

May GOD’s peace be with us all!

Abba Fanuel, archbishop of Washington DC & California diocese

The Patriarch Identifies Focus Areas for Holy Synod to Ponder

October 27, 2015

By Mesfin Zegeye

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one True God, Amen!

His Holiness Patriarch Abuna Mathias delivered message to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Holy Synod regarding focus areas for action in the time to come. The message communicated to the Seven Asian Churches and their respective leaders also holds true for the Church today and its leaders, the Patriarch said.

Of the Church leaders some are commended, others are in the middle, while others were severely reprimanded. Church leaders found currently in Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church cannot say that the challenges that earlier Church leaders faced in those days do not exist today, as we are found in this world of many trials.

It would be difficult for one to make the claim that all problems can be avoided. However, we remember that great fathers arise amongst us who manage to exert utmost efforts to keep serious problems and gaps at bay. The fundamental issue is not the question why the gap emerged; rather the issue is, why there is complacency and lack of action in view of such a situation. This conference is of huge significance and is expected to exert enormous efforts regarding this issue.

Although there are tasks that should have been carried out by the Church but were not done satisfactorily, it should not be forgotten that there are still some areas of good performance. Particularly, the efforts of the laity to support the Church and development works is very encouraging more than ever. More important of all, the efforts of the Church to spread the Word of God in different parts of the world can be claimed as an illustration that the Church has grown to become international.
Since the tasks of the Church are enormous and of diverse nature, it is important that some tasks need to be focused on for action:

• Laying down procedures to equip the Church with a modern administrative system for it to be able to manage its resources and property efficiently;
• Make sure that regulations, policies and rules that are designed in accordance with the legal framework requirements of the Church are transparent and provide for accountability;
• Budget should be allocated this year for the master plan and media study that have been put on hold thus far, and they should be put to use urgently;
• Laying down good governance and strengthen the spread of the Gospel so as to reverse the fleeing of the laity;
• Strengthening the tie and relation of parish Churches overseas with the Mother Church;
• Making the Church economically prosperous by expanding development works in various sectors;
• Bringing up children and the young, who are the successor generation of the Church, with religious education and imbuing them with ethical values by organizing them in Sunday schools;
• Strengthening the efforts of Sunday schools and monasteries, and it is of utmost significance that particular attention be given to these efforts;
• On the other hand, we have realized that due to the lack of rain in our country this year, drought and shortage of food have occurred in different parts of our country, as reports of the diocese in the 34th general spiritual conference of the Church indicated;
• Thus, since it is natural that we need to carry the suffering of fellow citizens in accordance with the instructions of our religion and social values, in addition teaching the public to share what they have, this Holy Church, which is the Mother of the people, need to do everything in its capacity to help those in need, and that this conference of the Holy Synod deliberate on the issue.

Finally, we call up on this Holy Synod to discuss on the major issues raised above so as to reach at appropriate decisions. Hence this Holy Synod conference of October, 2015 has been blessed and declared open in accordance with the Church’s tradition of spiritual article 5 sub article 164.
May God Bless Our Conference Amen!!
Aba Mathias Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Patriarch.

The 34th regular General Parish Holy Council concludes

October 26, 2015

By Kassa Nigus

The 34th regular General Parish Holy Council of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church has ended on October 22, 2015 after three days of meetings. During the council which was held at the patriarchate, the reports of all departments were presented by His Grace Abune Matewos, General Manager of the Patriarchate and Archbishop of Wolayta Konta and Dawro Dioceses.

The participants pledged to implement the 23 declarations the council passed before it wrapped up with the blessing and fatherly orders of His Holiness Abune Mathias. The declarations passed based on the presented reports include:

Strengthening the evangelic mission especially in keeping church members, achievement of transparent and accountable administration in line with the teachings of the Church, and one that ensures the supremacy of the law, as maladministration in the church is leading many believers astray,
Protecting the supremacy and legitimate administration of the Holy Synod from different groups which evolved around it and have been challenging its power by circulating rumors and heretic teachings,
Strengthening evangelic missions to peripheral areas of the country through the leadership of archbishops and church fathers to provide better church service to the local people,
Introducing ‘the double entry book keeping system’ to modernize the church’s financial system and to stem wastage of resources,
Increasing the number of preachers who teach in their mother tongues so as to expand evangelic services to different nations and nationalities who seek the church’s service,
Providing evangelic services beyond the church’s compound in prisons, hospitals etc using modern media,
Banning self-declared ‘baptizers’ and ‘preachers’ who spread heretic teachings in name of the church’s dogma, which eventually affects the wellbeing of the church,
Requesting collaboration from the participants to amend the ‘Kale Awadi’ (A book detailing the church’s rules and regulations) taking into account to cope with today’s world,
Strengthening and paying prime attention to church schools and training centers as well as the disciples they produce, by allocating adequate budget and resources,
Solving the problems of churches, monasteries and parish church diocese affected by drought in collaboration with concerned bodies,
Strengthening and sustaining the ongoing global evangelic mission and cooperation with Oriental sister churches especially the Coptic Orthodox Church,
Working together with the Holy Synod to implement the canonization of 30 Ethiopian Christians martyred in Libya’s desert,
Establishing charitable organizations and sustainable development schemes in every diocese to help orphans and helpless elderly people,
Confronting and curtailing the expansion of homosexuality which is against nature and God’s Commandments.

At the end of the council, the general parish holy department awarded recognitions to selected diocese which achieved better performance in the previous fiscal year. The session was finally concluded with sermons, prayers, blessings.

Last Year Report of Mahibere Kidusan Presented

October 22, 2015

By Kassa Nigus

The 2014/2015 fiscal year annual report of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church was presented in the 23rd of the General Parish Council Department of the Patriarchate held at its head office on October 19/2015 by Dr. Abba Haile Mariam Melese, the Deputy Head of the Department.

Among the reports presented in the assembly, Mahibere Kidusan’s annual report was the one, and its details are given and summarized briefly as follows, as presented directly by the Deputy Head of the Department.

In the previous fiscal year, MK carried out different development projects at Abba Giorogis Zegasicha Monastery in South Wollo Diocese, Debre Kewakibt Gundani Monastery in East Tigray Diocese, Harar St. Philip Monastery in East Harege Diocese , Haiq Estiphanos and Iyyesus Mo’a Monasteries in South Wollo Diocese, Arba Minch St. Mary Church in Gamogofa Diocese , Gondar Be’ata Aquaquam (a system of chants) church school in north Gondar Diocese, Motta St. George Church school in East Gojjam Diocese, Qoma St. Fasiledes Digua Misikir Bet (school of excellence in chant system) in South Gondar Diocese, Kemise St. Michael Church school construction at a total cost of 19,014,016.80 EthB.

Mahibere Kidusan carried out construction designs for 38 churches and managed to save an estimated cost of 1,800,000.00 Birr as well as counseling service in different dioceses that asked the help of the organization as part of the voluntary service it offers free of charge.

The fellowship also organized 440 public sermons (guba’eyat) across the country and 15 others in North America and Europe as part of its evangelical mission. Mahibere Kidusan also made an apostolic journey to peripheral areas of the country in collaboration with archbishops who represent the localities. Accordingly, 13, 776 nonbelievers were baptized and became members of the church through the campaign held in collaboration with concerned archbishops representing the dioceses. Six churches were also built for the service of newly baptized believers.

Mahibere Kiduzan offered continuous spiritual courses for 200,000 Orthodox Christian students who pursue their studies in governmental and private higher institutions; the courses focus on the dogma, order and tradition of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church.

40,000 of the registered students who had successfully accomplished their courses graduated and received certificates from the hands of archbishops. Out of these, 1, 700 got chance of scholarship to learn in a regular church commentary schools through Mahibere Kidusan.

In addition, Mahibere Kidusan has spent 1,800,000 Birr to provide regular financial support for 184 church teachers and for 1111 students in 163 church schools found in different dioceses. Over the past fiscal year, Mahibere Kidusan also published and distributed 376,000 copies of Sim’atsidk (means Witness of Truth), a bimonthly newspaper, and Hamer (means Ark, of Noah) magazine (published monthly), both of which are the official publications of the organization. The organization also published various spiritual articles and sermons on its website in Amharic, Affaan Oromo as well as English languages with the aim of targeting a diverse audience.

According to the decision of the Holy Synod, Mahibere Kidusan has used a receipt published by Tinsa’e Zegubae publication to collect its revenue from its member’s monthly fee, holy place development social service and evangelical expansion program. Out of 21,914,349.31 Birr income, 21,726,982.17 Birr was spent to finance spiritual services and projects carried out by the Church during the 2007 Ethiopian fiscal year. The balance shows that the remaining amount is 187, 367.14 Birr.

The 34th regular General Parish Holy Council begins

October 20, 2015

By Tsegaye Girma

The 34th regular General Parish Holy Council of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church kicked off on 19 October, 2015 at the Patriarchate Assembly Hall. The council was opened with the blessing of His Holiness Abune Mathias and is attended by archbishops, archpriests from across dioceses as well as heads of different departments at the patriarchate.

In his opening speech, Abune Mathias stated that the church`s children are renouncing it and joining other denominations at an alarming rate. His Holiness the patriarch called participants of the meeting to look into the root causes of ‘the exodus’ asking why believers are leaving the church: “Why are believers leaving the church and joining other camps? Do they lack teachers? Or is there a problem in the church’s doctrine? Or is it due to maladministration? Is there shortage of clergies? Or are the other camps better than us?”

The Patriarch also suggested solutions which need more attention going forward. He said, “As we are not discharging our pastoral responsibilities properly, we should rise together for boundless evangelization. We should also put in place transparent and accountable administration in line with the teachings of our church, and one that ensures the supremacy of the law, as maladministration in the church is leading many believers astray.”

His Grace Abune Matewos, General Manager of the Patriarchate and Archbishop of Wolayta Konta and Dawro Dioceses also noted, “We should preserve our ancient church and strengthen its role in the society by reinforcing parish councils and the church`s overall mission as well as boosting its development efforts to meet the challenges of today`s world.“

Dr Abba Haile Mariam Melese, Deputy Manager of the General Patriarchate, presented detailed report of the 2014/2015 fiscal year. In his report, Dr. Abba Haile Mariam mentioned main activities of the office of His Holiness the Patriarch, the Council of Church scholars (Yelikawnt Guba’e), Parish Council department, Finance and Budget department, Monastery department, Heritage Preservation, Library and Archives department, Evangelic Service and Apostolic Mission department, Mahibere Kidusan etc. The General Holy Parish Council will continue until October 23, 2015.

Spiritual Instruments Trainees Graduate

October 16, 2015

By Mefin Zegeye

Abuna Gorgoriyos education and training centre of Mahibere Kidusan development institutions administration graduated its 11th round trainees in spiritual instruments and Ge’ez language numbering 290 at a ceremony held in its meeting hall on October 10, 2015.

Managing director of development institutions administration, Ato Haylu Fiseha, delivered the welcoming remarks on the occasion. Some 256 trainees in Harp; 17 in single string instrument [Mesenqo]; 6 in beating and handling dram; as well as 11 in Ge’ez language attended the 9 months regular and 3 months summer training program.

Megabe Sibhat Alemu Aga, a veteran professional player of harp, who was a guest on the event, played the instrument and had a message for the graduates. The important point is not graduating, he said. The skill is a profession and requires constant practicing to avoid losing the skill acquired. Harp has been played by King David and has been passed down generations intact without adulteration and changes to this day. The contemporary time changes fast and we are witnessing attempts to use the harp contrary to its history and tradition. This is absolutely wrong. You have to realize the fact that the instrument is for praising and singing for the Lord, and as such there a serious need to protect it and pass it down as intact, he said.

Graduates had presentations in their respective training areas as part of the program on the day.

Graduates who took part in the training said that they have acquired sufficient skill from the training and in the future they will play their part by passing on their knowledge to others to make sure that the harp is maintained as spiritual instrument.

In addition to Abuna Gorgoriyos education and training centre, Mahibere Kidusan development institutions administration has been providing its services by opening an additional branch at national palace primary school recently to provide training on harp, single string instrument [Mesenqo], and beating and handling dram, as well as Ge’ez language.

Miskaye Hizunan Medhanealem Monastery Graduates 27 Disciples

September 19, 2015

By Mesfin Zegeye

Miskaye Hizunan Medhane’alem Monastery graduated 27 disciples trained for six years in the New Testament and Qine at the Monastery Secondary School compound on September 14, 2015 in a ceremony attended by archbishops.

Of the graduates, 24 studied the New Testament interpretation while three studied Qine courses. His Grace Bishop Abuna Gerima, Head of the Office of His Holiness the Patriarch and External Relations Department and Miskaye Hazunan Medhane’alem Monastery board chairperson, handed out the certificates to the graduates. Miskaye Hizunan Medhane’alem Monastery has produced Church intellectuals in Nibab (readings), Kiddase (Liturgy), Qine (Ge’ez poetry), Biluyat and Hadistat (New and Old Testament) interpretation since 1950.

Church intellectuals who have been producing disciples at the Monastery have been awarded certificates from the hands of His Grace Abuna Gerima who endorsed the titles bestowed upon them as part of the graduation process.In a message delivered following the handing out of the certificates, His Grace said, it is important that the spiritual and modern education which earlier and present generations worked so hard to maintain is passed on intact to the next generation.

The graduates are currently serving at various parishes and monasteries in Addis Ababa and have already been certified in Zema, Kidase, Digua, Zimare mesiwaet, Qine, etc at abinet (traditional church) schools. Of the disciples who graduated in New Testament interpretation, Ri’ese Debr Berhanu Akal shared his observation on the knowledge he acquired in the course of his training. He said that he has attended school for a long time in Kidase, Akuakuam bet as well as modern education. Especially learning New Testament interpretation has given him knowledge as if he knew nothing about the subject before, he said.

He added that the time in the school was so exciting because the teacher is so knowledgeable and of exemplary personality as well as the fact that the disciples come from various knowledge background.
There are learning sessions twice or thrice in one day. It is only after they went over the lesson over and over again and grasped the subject matter well that the teacher would let them move on to another subject matter. There are sessions on all other days except on Saturdays and Sundays.

In addition, the teacher has been teaching them Widdase Maryam and Kidase Maryam interpretation during Filseta LeMaryam (the Fast of the Assumption of St Mary); Kidan and Timhirte Hibu’at during Himamat (Passion Week); and Bahire Hassab during Pagumen (the 13th month in the Ethiopian Calendar ). They completed New Testament interpretation lesson one year faster than it used to take.

Ri’ese Debr Berhanu mentioned problems as well. The room in which the courses are given is very small. As a result of the lack of space, late comers attend their lessons standing at the doorway outside. Disciples who will attend courses in the future should not go through the same hardship like them, he underlined.

When Meskaye Hazunan School was established it had six class rooms, five rooms for different services, five teachers, seven supporting staff members and 33 students, according to information obtained from the School. Currently, the school has 109 teachers and2, 779 students from kindergarten to 12th grade levels.

The school has a reputation for having its students promoted. In the just completed Ethiopian year, it managed to get all its 8, 10, and 12 graders pass school leaving examinations.The School ranked 1st out of private schools in Addis Ababa and was awarded three cups as well as one big cup for being a general winner. Students who scored the best results have been awarded prizes from the hands of His Grace Abuna Gerima.

Source: Mahibere Kidusan Amharic Web site: http://eotcmk.org/site

Faith education and evangelical methodology