Sermon – Page 27 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

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

© Photo: Press service of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia.

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.

H.G. Manager of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church urges believers to discharge spiritual responsibilitie

In featured news, August 25, 2016
His Grace Abune Deyoskoros, General Manager of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church Patriarchate, and Archbishop of southern Tigray Maychew Diocese, South Eastern and Eastern Tigray Adigrat diocese said believers who think that the church’s administration is not their business lack proper understanding of the Kale ’Awadi (a manuscript that contains a set of rules that govern the church’s administration.)

In an interview with Sim’atsidk (Mahibere kidusan’s fortnightly newspaper) on a range of topics, His Grace pointed out that the Kale ’Awadi lays out the roles of the clergy, youth and the laity in the administration of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He said problems are observed in some churches due to lack of understanding of the rules and guidelines in the Kale ’Awadi.

“Understanding and abiding by the rules and regulations of the church is crucial to avoid the recurrent problems,” he added. His Grace also called upon believers to discharge their responsibility of serving the church.

On the other hand, His Grace Abune Deyoskoros indicated that preserving the longstanding tradition of mutual respect and love among Ethiopians and passing it to the next generation requires the attention of every citizen. He also urged all to protect our way of living, which is shaped by spiritual teachings, from alien practices.

“Ethiopians’ culture is not just about sharing meal with one another. But it’s also about peaceful co-existence in both good and bad times,” the Manager of the Patriarchate said adding that all should guard against foreign cultures that loosen the ties among citizens. Since there have been high levels of widespread invasion of faith and culture, the work of evangelism and ministry should also be strengthened to protect the laity from marauding wolves, he added.

Translated by: Tsegaye Girma & Kassa Nigus

Statement of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarch on the Current Situation of Ethiopia

August 10, 2016

By Mesfin Zegeye

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church Patriarch, His Holiness Abune Mathias gave a statement regarding the current situation of the country on August 9, 2016.The statement emphasizes on the benefit of peace quoting from (Colossians 3:15) and urged the people to live in harmony with their bothers.

As always, the ultimate goal of Church is to keep peace and to let the people enjoy from its fruit. Ethiopian Orthodox Church is the founder of the nation, the mother of the population, an advocate of peace, love, unity and freedom of the people. It is also an undeniable fact that the people of our country maintain their freedom, love, brotherhood for three thousand years through peaceful religious doctrine of the Church.

Even though the greatness and mutual coexistence our people enjoyed have been long-lasting, currently the Church looks at the recent developments in the country with serious concern. It expresses its sadness about the loss of its children’s lives, as well as, destruction of property, due to the mass rallies in different parts of the country.

Thus, the Patriarch gives the following statements with a view to avoid further problems and damages that hinder the ongoing development program, as well as to keep citizens enjoy their right to life and to work.

1. Our Church by saying, “the name of peace sounds sweet always” not only teaches about the benefits of peace but prays and sings about it. In all Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church parish churches message about peace should be communicated so that all people fast and pray in these fasting days of St. Mary for the problem that has occurred in the country ends and is addressed legally, based on a spirit of brotherhood and discussion.

2. The Church calls upon elderly people, intellectuals, heads of families to teach and counsel their children and the youth of their respective localities with a view human life would not be lost; property of the country could be saved from destruction.

3. The Church notifies that all bodies should put forward any concerns they may have to the appropriate body in a peaceful manner for it to be addressed through discussion and consultation as well as handling the matter peacefully all the way.

4. The Church expresses its deep felt sorrow over lives lost and property destroyed due to the misunderstanding that occurred. We pray to God to save the souls of people who lost their lives and to make their families strong in this difficult time.

5. God tells us, “ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. ” (1Tim 2:1-3) Accordingly, our Church calls upon bishops in various dioceses, fathers, and preachers in monasteries and parish churches to teach the people about peace and love, unity and understanding so that peace and stability could continue in our country.

May God bless Ethiopia!