Sermon – Page 28 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

Mahibere Kidusan Launches Encyclopedia of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church

June 16, 2016

By Kassa Nigus

Mahiber Kidasan’s (MK) Research Center announced the launch of Encyclopedia of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church at a ceremony held on June11, 2016 at Semein Hotel. The Encyclopedia is named Bahire Tibebat, temporarily, a Ge’ez term meaning sea of wisdom.

In his opening speech, Deputy Secretary-General of Mahibere Kidusan, Ato Seyfe Alemayehu, made the remark that preparation of the Encyclopedia is one among the major activities carried out by the Research Center of MK. He also thanked Church and university scholars who contributed towards the success of the project.

Director of Research Center, Dr. Abate Mekuria, said that since the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is the owner and source of many invaluable treasures, ancient monuments and has thousands of believers, the absence of church Encyclopedia till now has created a gap not only for the Church but for the country in general. Taking this fact into consideration, Mahiber Kidasan decided to prepare Bahire Tibebat in consultation with the relevant bodies in order to facilitate further the transmission of the teachings of the Church. Dr. Abate added that the Preparation of the Encyclopedia (Bahire Tibebat), directed by an Advisory Board under the chairmanship of Archbishop Abune Lukas, incorporates editorial staff members. The project embraces the involvement of three hundred and seven more local and foreign experts.

Mel’ake Tabor Teshome Zerihun, one of the members of the Advisory Board, in commenting on the matter cited an Ethiopian saying, “journey of a thousand miles begins in one step”. Though the work required many trials and efforts, one should strive using shortcuts to attain the project before one passes away to see its fruition. He also recommended that the term Medbel be incorporated parallel to the word Encyclopedia,
Dr. Mikre Sillasie G/Amanuel, another member of the Advisory Board, thanked Mahibere Kidusan for taking the initiative and start of this project. Though it is sad that Church Encyclopedia is absent till now, now they are sitting there making every effort to attain it. He also added that as the word encyclopedia comes from the Greek word meaning a source of knowledge, it is better to give it an equivalent name for it. He suggested alternative names such as Mezgebe A’emro, Mezgebe Tibebat, Felege A’emro, Felege Tibebat etc.

During the ceremony, the Advisory Board and other members of the editorial board expressed their excitement for being participants in the project. They also added that it is important to anticipate problems through insight so that it is possible to go past it and exhibit patience and understanding. They also underlined the need to ask God in prayer for the success of the project.

During the event, an Advisory Board and an Editorial Board were set up. Accordingly, Prof. Shiferaw Bekele [chairman], Prof. Baye Yimam [vice chairman], Dr. Abate Mekurya [Secretary], became members of the Advisory Board while members for the Editorial Board are Dr Yohannes Adgeh [chairman], Dr. Abebaw Minaye [vice chairman], and Deacon Mulalem Kassa [secretary].

Finally, Dr Yohannes Adgeh, chairman of the project, expressed his appreciation to the participants of the event and the owners of Semien Hotel for letting them use the hall for free. Following the lunch program to the guests, the event was closed in prayer.

18th General Assembly of Mahibere kidusan American Branch launched

June 4, 2016

By America Branch

Mahibere kidusan (MK) America Branch under the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church Sunday School department organized its 18th General Assembly from May 28-29, 2016 in Seattle, Washington DC. The event was attended by more than 400 members of MK, Sunday Sschool students, representatives and management bodies of DC, California and Western America diocese, and invited guests.

In his welcoming speech, Dr. Hilmneh Snishaw, the head of MK American branch office, highlighted the main activities carried out in the course of the budget year. Mel’ake Selam Kesis Mesfin Tegeng, (Dr.), Secretary General of DC diocese, delivered a message on behalf of his grace Abune Fanuel. Father Dejenie Shiferaw, (Dr.), gave a sermon citing 1 Cor. 9:16.

Each department of the branch office presented their respective annual report and plan for the next budget year. Representative of Mahibere Kidusan head office, Like Tiguhan Kesis Mulugeta Seyoum, (Dr.), presented the report of the main office and responded to questions and ideas raised by the participants. He also elaborated on the activities of heretics in particular and the general current issues of the church in general.

A film entitled, “Zikre abew” – reminiscing the lives of fathers – was shown to the audience as part of the 7^th year commemoration of Like Gubae Abera Bekele, who contributed greatly for the expansion of MK services.

In the course of the assembly held as part of the ceremony, 13 new management bodies were elected after prayer was held and lot was cast to lead for the next two years, following the end of the last two year term of the outgoing management.

Finally, it was decided to hold the next 19^th and 20^th general assembly at Boston and Virginia, respectively. The assembly was closed in prayer and hymn of the church.

(Translation – Kassa Nigus)

‘Free Healthcare’ to Ziquala Monastery Community campaign launched

June 4, 2016

By Adama branch office

Mahibere Kidusan Adama branch office, under the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church Department of Kidusat Mekanat provided free medical services to the community of Ziquala Debre Kewakibt Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus Monastery on 15 May, 2016. Abbots, nuns and disciples of the monastery are the main target beneficiaries of the services.

About 38 health professionals including medical specialists, health providers, laboratory technicians from Debre Zeit and Adulala area office and campus students of Adama Medical College participated in this blissful voluntary service.

The abbots, nuns and disciples of the monastery received full health examination, such as hyperbaton, eye examination and diabetics as well as medical support. The medical supplies were funded by Kidusat Mekanat Development and Social service department of the main office and one individual donor. Medical specialists of Adama Eyyor Clinic contributed a lot in this medical campaign by providing medical instruments and medicines.

In addition to the medical services, the disciples of the monastery got personal hygiene and environmental sanitation trainings by the health professionals. Kidusat Mekanat Department of MK Adama branch office offered dressings and body and cloth soaps as part of the campaign. More than 250 communities of the monastery are the beneficiaries of the campaign.

Then, the communities of the monastery expressed their appreciation to Mahibere Kidusan and promised to remember them in their prayers. They also commended MK to keep up the good work. Finally, the campaign was closed by prayer and blessings by the abbots of the monastery.

May the prayer of our Church Fathers be with us!

(Translation – Mesfin Zegeye)

Mahibre Kidusan Launches Its 5th Orthodox Tewahido Exhibition

‘Be versed with EOTC doctrines, and live up to one’s duties’

May 26, 2016

By Mesfin Zegeye

The Special Exhibition organized by Mahibere Kidusan (MK) and eagerly awaited by the laity has been launched in the presence of senior Church fathers, management and members of MK, invited guests, and visitors. The Exhibition will remain open for six consecutive days from May 25 to 30, 2016 at Addis Ababa Exhibition Centre.

Spiritual sermon with verses from the Gospel, referring to the mysterious ways in which God works, accompanied the opening ceremony of the Exhibition. The Exhibition has very important messages to impart particularly to children of the Church but also to the general public, it was underlined.

The motto for the Exhibition focuses on the need for children of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to be well aware of the Church’s doctrine as well as the need for them to play their part in the Church. Components in the Exhibition include major features of the Church and its evangelical mission in the world, in Africa and Ethiopia; current challenges faced by the Church; and the roles the laity are expected to play. The Exhibition, on top of so many illustrations and displays, included audio-visual elements that prove to be very informative and insightful.

The Exhibition helps each member of the laity to take a very close look into oneself as a Christian and the potential role expected of each given the current situation of the Church and oneself. It helps see where oneself stands as a Christian and as a member in the Church community.

Although the Exhibition was originally planned to be staged from March 24 to 30, 2016, it was banned in a move that was not very clear. MK took up the issue with appropriate bodies and managed to achieve the lifting of the ban and the launching of the Exhibition for the laity as well as for the general public.
The Exhibition would remain open from 8 AM to 6 PM for consecutive six days.

8620 new believers baptized in Gilgel Beles of Metekel

April 28, 2016

By Mesfin Zegeye

Some 8620 new believers have been baptized and came into the fold of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church in a historic evangelic mission carried out at three weredas of Gilgel Beles in Metekel diocese, south western parts of Ethiopia, from April 23 – 24, 2016, Mahibere Kidusan Education and Apostolic Service Main Department disclosed.

Through the coordination of Mahibere Kidusan and in cooperation with Metekel diocese, wereda parishes and Gilgel Beles center, residents of Mandura, Dibate and Dawro woreda have been receiving spiritual lessons on the dogma of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church and in preparation for their re-birth before their baptism.

The newly baptized members of the church expressed that they always have had a special place for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church in their hearts and have been yearning for that day all their lives. They expressed their deepest joy for seeing such a day and becoming children of God and members of the church.

Mahibere Kidusan Launches Oromiffa TV Program in Minnesota

April 21, 2016 (Mahibere Kidusan US Office)

Mahibere Kidusan has launched Oromiffa TV programs in Minneapolis and Saint Paul cities of Minnesota. Transmission commenced on April 17, 2016, the Mahibere Kidusan US Office indicated. Transmission of the TV program is aired starting from 4:00 PM /USA central time/ on Sunday via channel 75.

US Mahibere Kidusan Office encouraged the laity to exploit the good opportunity by tuning to the program. In a separate development, Mahibere Kidusan Office in Minneapolis organized spiritual sessions on April 16 to 17, 2016, sources indicated.

The Banned Exhibition Gets the Green Light

April 20, 2016

Mahibere Kidusan’s 5th Grand Exhibition which was scheduled to be shown from March 24 – 30, 2016 was suddenly suspended following a ban issued by government bodies just a few hours before its planned opening.

After almost a month of uncertainty about the fate of the event, the exhibition has now got the go-ahead for display thanks to a series of discussions Mahibere Kidusan held with concerned government bodied. As per the new schedule, the exhibition will be shown to the public from May 25 – 30 at Addis Ababa Exhibition Center. The exhibition halls will be open from 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM.

Mahibere Kidusan cordially invites Orthodox Christians to attend the exhibition. The exhibition aims at raising the awareness of Orthodox Christians about the challenges the church is facing currently and encourage them to make a difference through simple intervention.

Mahibere Kidusan Gives Statement on Orthodox Exhibition Ban

March 28, 2016

By M/hr Kassa Nigus

It is public knowledge that Mahibere Kidusan has finalized preparations to hold its 5th Grand Exhibition from March 24 – 30, 2016 at Addis Ababa Exhibition Center. But in a rather surprising move the exhibition has been banned very unexpectedly by government bodies just a few hours earlier from the due time for the opening of the exhibition. Last Thursday, Mahibere Kidusan gave a press conference regarding the issue.

General Secretary of the association, Ato Tesfaye Bihonegn explained the steps went through and the activities carried out in organizing the exhibition. According to Ato Tesfaye, Mahiber Kidusan has reached agreement with the exhibition center to stage a one week exhibition a year before, August 2015. He also added that, they have fulfilled all the required criteria. First, a letter of endorsement giving the go-ahead and written by the general manager of the Patriarchate of Archbishop Abune Mathewos was submitted to the company followed by the signing of an agreement with the company and handing over of the initial payment.

In accordance with the agreement, we made the last payment on March 21, 2016. But in the morning of March 23, 2016, a day before the due opening date, when the exhibition committee requested the key to the exhibition hall to take-in materials for the event, in a rather shocking move the committee was told that they could not enter the exhibition hall. When they asked them the rationale for their unexpected refusal, they told them that they should bring permission letter from Addis Ababa city administration. This request was unusual requirement and such a question has never been raised before. As it turns out, the rationale behind the ban has not been openly and clearly expressed, and the company itself has found the measure puzzling. The exhibition center has taken the responsibility for the suspension of the exhibition.

Lastly, Ato Tesfaye indicated that the exhibition was banned by government bodies. He also elaborated on the problem, and expressed his hope that it will be solved through discussion with the concerned bodies. The management of Mahiber Kidusan will announce where and when the exhibition takes place in the future.

Afan Oromo Language Book of Liturgy Inaugurated

March 28, 2016

By Kassa N. & Tsegaye Girma

The Book Liturgy of the Ethiopian Orthodo0x Tewahido Church has been translated into Oromoiffa. The inauguration ceremony of the newly published Book of Liturgy was held last week on March 19, 2016, at Elili International Hotel, Addis Ababa

His Holiness Abune Mathias, Archbishops, former Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giorgis, officials of the Oromia region, administrators and staff members of Addis Ababa Diocese, Oromifa speaking intellectuals and believers attended the inauguration ceremony.

During the event, a report on the translation project which took about ten years was presented by the committee and concerned archbishops. According to the report, the project was started by the good will of the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Church in 1998 E.C.

The committee tasked with the project consisted of four members from the council of intellectuals of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and five additional scholars, and was led by four Oromiffa speaking archbishops: His Grace Abune Henok, His Grace Abune Sawiros, His Grace Abune Yared and His Grace Abune Ewostatewos. The translation was meticulously observed and edited by scholars of Addis Ababa University and native speakers of the language. The book consists of different dialects to make it comprehensive and inclusive of all Oromiffa speakers.

In his welcoming speech to the invited guests who attended the program, His Grace Abune Sawiros, archbishop of Western Shewa diocese, recalled the significant role the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church played in producing God-fearing generation. He said, “The church led its children on a path of civilization by illuminating the light of knowledge through the invention of unique Alphabets with their syllables before the establishment of the modern ministry of education. So, she has been praised forever for her contribution.” His Grace also congratulated the participants of the ceremony on the translation of the Book and thanked the parties involved in the project.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, His Holiness noted that the translation of the Book of Liturgy, which consists of the 14 Anaphoras, is aimed at enabling the Church’s Oromo fellowship to worship and praise God in their native tongue. He added, “This proves that our church is all inclusive and has been serving its children equally. We will also devise long and short term plans to translate the Book into the languages of the country’s diverse nations and nationalities.

His Grace Abune Henok, archbishop of western Wellega (Qelem and Assosa) diocese, on his part said,“The translation work started in 1998 E.C and took 10 years to complete. Some anti-Orthodox groups have tried to politicize our faith saying Ethiopian Orthodox church is a faith of certain ethnic groups. Now, this work is a turning point for this stereotype. The original Ge’ez language and its Yaredic hymn are preserved without modification and no one touches it. The Ethiopian Ge’ez language is a center of unity and unifies all nations and nationalities.”

Participants of the event also expressed their delight over the translation of the Book of Liturgy into Oromiffa. The newly published Book consists of three columns: Ge’ez, Amharic, Afan Oromo (Latin alphabet letters). Each copy is available for sale at a price of ETB 375.00.

Welcome to the 5th Grand Exhibition of Mahibere Kidusan

March 18, 2016

The exhibition, which will be held under the theme ‘Realizing the doctrine of Orthodox Church, and our roles’, aims at acquainting Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Christians with the Orthodox Christianity doctrine and encouraging them to contribute their share in preserving their faith.

The Exhibition explores the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church teachings by focusing on four themes:
• Major features of the church,
• The Apostolic Mission of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church particularly in Ethiopia and Africa, and in the world in general,
• The current challenges of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church,
• What can Orthodox Christians do? What is expected of them?

The exhibition includes slide presentations, short Documentaries, animations, photographs, saint icons, audiovisual pieces, artworks, films, and banners. Striking presentations supported by modern technologies are available.

Highlights of the exhibition will be presented, accompanied by special sermons and Saint Yared hymns. And much more.

Mahibere Kidusan cordially invites Orthodox Christians to attend this event of utmost importance. Learn about your church and make a difference through simple interventions.

Venue:- Addis Ababa Exhibition Center
Date:- March 24 – 30, 2016 /for seven consecutive days/
Time:- 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entrance Fee:- Eth. birr 20
Organizer:- Mahibere Kidusan

If you have comments, suggestions and questions, please feel free to forward them via:
Phone: 09 47 35 47 47 / 09 47 47 35 47