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

Fasting, Prayer & Repentance: Keys to Approach the Holy God, Abune Mathias

February 20, 2017

By Kassa Nigus

.jpg

His Holiness Patriarch Abune Mathias has made an address regarding the Fast of Great Lent, locally known as Abiy Tsom/Hudade, which will begin on Monday Yekatit 13, 2009 E.C.( February 20, 2017).

Abune Mathias addressing extensively about the worth of fasting, prayer and repentance quoting on (Ps.34:5, Math, 17:14 -21, Joel 2:12 – 18, Isa. 58: 6-8).

Based on the verse of Psalm 34:5, H.H shows the relationship of man and God, equal to the basic necessity of earthly life that emanated from carnal nature of man, man has great desire to have a relationship with His Creator through his spiritual nature that begotten from God. On the other hand, more than man needs to approach His Creator; God wants man to be His abode. These mutual attractions of love recognized both by natural Law and Holy Bible.

Though there are many sinful practices that separates man from God, fasting is one of the main ingredients draws man to his God. In addition to fasting, prayer and repentance are the key spiritual element to narrow the gap that arises between God and man.

H.H highlighted on the meaning of fasting saying, the purpose of fasting is to create an obedient and broken heart that worships God through repentance and prayer. Christians shall discipline your body and keep it under the control of their soul. It is also necessary to fast through removing the quarrel with pardon; ensuring peace through true friendship and self-control; avoiding materialism; defeats the evil desires arose through the pressure of wicked spirits, and prepare ourselves to the Holy Communion.

At the end of His message, H.H urged all Christians saying, as the main purpose of fasting is to obey God’s Command, we shall utilize the earth that God gifted us to take care of it. Accordingly, we shall work hard and beautify our country so as to make it easy to life. As work is one of the means to prevent ourselves from sin Christians shall spend the fast through hard work and helping others in need.

Let us prepare ourselves to cleanse our flesh & soul!

Nine Theological College Students Dismissed for Heretic Tendencies

January 13, 2017

Saint Frieminatos Abba Selama Kesate Berhan Theological College of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church based in Mekele town, 761 km north of Addis Ababa, dismissed nine students on January 6, 2017 for displaying heretic tendencies.

According to information obtained from Mekele Branch of Mahibere Kidusan, the students whose college education has been terminated have been taking heretical trainings from Ato Yared Tsegay who was also dismissed for similar dissent. Following his dismissal, Ato Yared formed a denomination of his own, known as “Ye ‘ewnet qal teketayoch” (literally meaning ‘Followers of the true word’) and has been unlawfully spreading heretical teachings in and around Mekele town.

The nine dismissed students were caught by members of Saint Frieminatos Abba Selama Kesate Berhan Theological College including the dean, Sunday School students of Debre Selam St Michael Church and law enforcement officials, while they were preparing to “be baptized by the spirit”, as they claimed, at the conclusion of their training.

The dismissed students are Amanuel Demsie, Tamirat Altaye, Betemariam Wedaje, Tesfa Gebremichael, Weldberhan Kahisay, Henok Asmare, Wendye Abebe, Melese Lema and Ephrem Matebe. According to the statement of the College, the measure was taken following a series of investigations into the allegations, which were later confirmed.

The Guardian of the College, His Grace Abune Yohannes, explained the likely cause of such heretic deeds saying, “This problem happened due to flawed admission process and lack of follow-up on candidates on the part of the dioceses as well as the sophisticated, underground work of heretic groups in Mekele which operate as a network.”

He added that though there is a procedure set by the Holy Synod for admission of candidates seeking to join Theological Colleges, laxity in the application of the procedure has contributed to the occurrence of such heretic tendencies among students.

His Grace also urged Sunday School students and members of Mahibere Kidusan saying, “As you have the potential to keep heretics away from the Church through a system fitting to the present day, you should pray and work hard to defend our colleges and the Church from being tainted by the heresies of those wolves.”

Going forward, the College will conduct strict investigation into similar cases, His Grace added, and on behalf of the College, he extended his gratitude to Sunday School students of Debre Selam St Michael Church, devout disciples and others who contributed to the exposure of the heretic movement.

Source: Sem’atsidk Newspaper published from January 25 – February 6, 2017, pp.1.

Translation: Kassa Nigus

Editing by Tsegaye Girma

Patriarch Matthias: ‘Peace is the Message of Every Day’

January 13, 2017

GENEVA, Feb. 10, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ — Patriarch Abune Matthias of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church offered a special greeting at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on 10 February, commending the success of global ecumenical work while acknowledging the grave crises tearing the world apart.

Photo: Patriarch Matthias at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva. © Peter Williams/WCC

Patriarch Matthias is in the midst of a four-day visit to Geneva, during which he spoke with students and staff at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute, met with World Council of Churches (WCC) senior leadership, and toured the Orthodox Centre in Switzerland.

In his remarks, he brought greetings on behalf of more than 50 million members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. He also commended the World Council of Churches (WCC) for remaining dedicated to its founding principle of forging unity between and among the worldwide Christian community.

The WCC’s work is more vital now than ever, said Patriarch Matthias. "Compared to that historic time of the creation of the WCC, today Christianity is under assault, challenge and confrontation throughout the world," he said. "Let it be clear, therefore, that the principle and objectives articulated when the WCC was established have relevance and meaning today more than ever."

Much has been achieved to date, yet much more remains to be done, he said. "And may I stress that in all the activities and successes of the past, you, the staff of the organization and your predecessors, have played key roles – and must in the future continue to do so—not only by carrying out the normal functions expected of you, but also by devising creative and innovative ways of meeting the intricate challenges of each member church worldwide."

He cited the injustice, war, strife, poverty, and narrow nationalism tearing the world apart or tearing it down. "Hence the WCC has been calling not only member churches and ecumenical councils but also governments, world leaders, and social movements to stand together in the fight against devastation – responding to manmade and natural disasters, ensuring peace, justice and dignity of all, and making our earth a safer place to live."

No human philosophy, high technology or weapons can bring peace and reconciliation better than the word of God, he continued. The WCC’s pilgrimage of justice and peace continues to guide people in their mission of teaching and mobilizing churches and individuals to stand for peace and justice.

"In our church, peace is the message of every day," he said. "We have faithfully followed the call of the WCC for interreligious dialogue to be integrated as an important part of our ecumenical responsibility."

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, established in the first century, now has more than 50 million members; 35,000 parish churches; 1,500 ancient monasteries (including those in Jerusalem); 50 archbishops and bishops; 400,000 ordained clergy, and 20,000 classical and ecclesiastical schools.

Read full speech by Patriarch Matthias at https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/other-meetings/greeting-from-patriarch-matthias-i-at-ecumenical-centre-geneva-10-february-2017/

Source: Christian News Wire – http://christiannewswire.com/news/7655779096.html

US Center of Mahibere Kidusan Ordains Deacons

February 2, 2017

Abune Fanuel, Archbishop of Washington, D.C. and California Diocese, ordained young pupil who pursued their ecclesiastical studies in the US, on January 22, 2017.

The children completed their two-year training at Abuna Gorgoriyos Education and Training Center of Mahibere Kidusan, based in Seattle Debre Selam St Michael Cathedral under the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, in Washington State.

The students were ordained after fulfilling the required qualifications for Deaconship.

Source: US Center of Mahibere Kidusan

Translation: Kassa Nigus

Egypt: Four Christians Slaughtered in 10 Days

January 23, 2017

Coptic Solidarity – Raymond Ibrahim – 18/1/17 – That the Coptic Christian Church continues to voice its support for President Sisi should not be interpreted to mean that the situation of Egypt’s Christian minority has improved. One need only look to the substratum of news for confirmation.

The current month of January alone has already witnessed three separate instances over the course of 10 days where four Copts were slaughtered in Egypt.

On January 3, a Muslim man of the Salafi variety crept up behind a Copt, 45, and slit his throat, killing him in Alexandria. The murderer’s reasoning was that the Christian man owned a shop that sold alcohol, which the Salafi deemed “contrary to the shar‘ia [Islamic law] and the religion [Islam].”

A couple of days later, as reported in a January 6 report, a Coptic man, 62, and his wife, 55, were found slaughtered in their home in Monufia, north Egypt. The Christian couple’s throats were slit and their bodies had multiple stab wounds. Nothing was stolen from their apartments; it was a hate crime.

Then, on Friday, January 13, another Christian man, a young surgeon, was found slaughtered in his apartment in Asyut, southern Egypt. He too had stab wounds to his neck, chest, and back. Colleagues of the doctor say he was well mannered and seemed to get along with everyone.

Such is the ongoing and hemorrhaging of the Coptic Christian minority that rarely comes to light because such “commonplace” murders are not as spectacular as, say, the bombing of Coptic churches—for instance, last December’s bombing of St. Peter’s in Cairo—which leave many dozens dead.

Source: ORTHODOXY COGNATE PAGE

Fire Destroys a Prominent Gubae Bet in Gojam

January 17, 2017

By Mesfin Zegeye

‘Qenie Misikir Guba’e Bet’ (School of Excellence of Ge’ez Poem), established in Chegode Hana, Quarit Wereda parish at Fengetta kebele in the West Gojam Diocese of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, was destroyed in a fire accident that started in the morning of January 15, 2017.

This Qine Misikir Guba’e Bet – a certification center – of Liqe Liqawint Yared Shiferaw, has produced a lot of church intellectuals since its establishment and continues to do so to this day.

Witnesses say that the windy weather, the fact that the pupils of the Guba’e Bet and the laity in the area were at the annual Trinity celebration some distance from the locality, and the fact that the Guba’e Bet was made of wood and grass, all combined making the fire accident more destructive than it would have been otherwise.

Local sources indicate that 500 to 600 pupils have been attending their studies at the Guba’e Bet and currently these have been sheltered in the parts of the Guba’e Bet house that remained undamaged by the fire.Mahibere Kidusan expresses its heart-felt sorrow to the Guba’e Bet teacher, Liqe Liqawint Yared Shiferaw, the pupils and the laity in the locality about the tragedy. Mahiber Kidusan wishes God give them the strength to go through this painful moment.

The Guba’e Bet has called out to fellow Christians to give them their support so as to restore the Gube’e Bet to its original condition, avoid leaving of pupils studying there and the school from being closed down.

The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Message by Patriarch Abune Mathias

January 5, 2017

By Kassa Nigus

H.H. Patriarch Abune Mathias expressed his good wishes and congratulations to the laity on the occasion of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ this Ethiopian Christmas celebrated on Tahisas 29, 2009 Eth. C./ January 7, 2017 G.C.

H.H. in his address dwelt on the benefits of God’s blessings to man quoting from (Genesis 22:18); the promise given to Abraham, the father of many. God has endowed man with great things including to rule over every living thing that moves on earth. (Gen 1:28) Although this blessing of man was corrupted due to sin, God’s compassion has saved man through the Birth of His Son Jesus Christ, as foretold by the prophets and saints of God.

H.H. said that the central message that was sent from above to earth during the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ was ‘peace and blessings’. Quoting from St. Yared, who composed hymns as revealed to him by God, said of God’s blessing, “during the Birth of Jesus Christ, the mountains become the bread of life; wild trees bear the fruit of blessings and the water of the sea becomes milk and honey”. From this we can understand that as a result of the Birth of Our Lord both living and non-living things spent all the day in peace and cheerfulness. Angels and humans sang together in equality about peace.

H.H. added that we Christians should preserve the religious and ethical aspect of this feast by sharing what we have with others. The Holyday is also a day of reconciliation, equality and solidarity since after a long period of separation and isolation, God has become man and dwells within us; providing witness to the greatest reconciliation between people and God.

Finally, since Ethiopia is one of the ancient countries in the world where the Birth of Christ was preached, we would like to pass the message that it is God’s will that everyone shall live in love, peace, and reconciliation and also protect one’s country and work hard for its development.

Ethiopian Orthodox Church Benefiting from Mahibere Kidusan Free Professional Services

December 30, 2016

By Kassa Nigus

Church of Abe Bezuhan Abraham designed by Mahibere Kidusan

The Department of Professional Services and Capacity Building under Mahibere Kidusan continues to offer free professional services to Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido churches and monasteries in different dioceses. In an interview with Sem’atsidq newspaper,

the Coordinator for the Department Ato Desta Belay explained that the Department has been offering such services since 2007 in the area of engineering including church building design; legal consultancy related to church land ownership and control; health service for church and monastery communities including archbishops; training and capacity building focusing mainly on church canon and dogma; as well as Information Technology services to modernize church data storage system.

According to Ato Desta Belay, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo churches in different diocese have so far benefited from these services offered by voluntary Christian youth professionals. Accordingly, so far by head office of Mahibere Kidusan, designs have been made for 257 church buildings free of charge, saving an estimated cost of 6.7 million birr.

The Department screens requests for such services based on the need for a design relevant to the Church’s architectural tradition and lack of financial capacity which warrants the free engineering services. Ato Desta pointed out that there is a huge gap between the demand for the services and the limited service the Department can offer due to lack of professionals. He said only 40% of the total requests are entertained due to this problem.

Photo of some of church building designs

Photo of health service delivery for traditional church students

Every member of the church with a profession is welcome to join the department and deliver the much needed free services. Our diversity of backgrounds, talents, gifts and interests strengthen our congregation, as we seek to realize our mission.

Glory be to God forever, amen!

Source : Sem’atsidq newspaper, December 25- January 8, pp. 1 – 2.

Edition : Tsegaye Girma

STATEMENT BY BISHOP YOUSSEF ON THE BOMBING AT SAINT PETER COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH

December 12, 2016

Statement on the bombing at Saint Peter Coptic Orthodox Church (known as “Botrosiya”), Abassiya, Egypt, December 11, 2016, Coinciding with the Blessed Month of Koiahk 2, 1733 [a.m.].

Today, heaven’s gates opened wide to many victims of terrorism, angels placed the crowns of martyrdom upon their heads, and our Lord Jesus Christ welcomed them into the paradise of joy. Shortly after receiving the Holy Eucharist, a bomb exploded on the side of this ancient church, where women, infants, and young children await their turn to partake of the Holy Eucharist.

There is no God in any religion that can accept this savagery, for it is incomprehensible that heaven can be comprised of murderers. Where is the bravery in these atrocities? Where is the heroism in such violent acts? Bravery and heroism are marked by the courage of all Christians, regardless of their dire circumstances, whether poor, ill, or disadvantaged, but greet each day with faith and fill every church in this great land that has been blessed by the blood of the martyrs for more than 2000 years.

We are not praying for our martyrs, for they have won the kingdom of God. We are praying and fasting for those who commit these cowardice acts and hide behind the cloak of religion to destroy a nation trying to recover from years of the poison of extremism. We are praying and fasting, not for our martyrs, for they have obtained forgiveness through the body and blood of Christ, but for those who do not know the meaning of love and will not be forgiven until they learn the power of love.

We are praying and fasting, not for our martyrs; for they held their children in their arms so that they would grow in their footsteps and follow the rules of love and forgiveness, but for those who are steered by hate and teach their children to kill.We are praying and fasting for the healing of all Egyptians, Christians and Muslims, that we may live together in peace, safety, and civility for the good of all citizens.

We are praying and fasting, not for our martyrs, for they followed God’s commandments, but for those who do not denounce these horrific crimes, that will worsen matters by not taking a stand.We are praying and fasting that the Lord will be swift in hearing the call of the martyrs’ blood and bring these murderers to justice here on earth and in eternity. May the Lord comfort the families and loved ones of our beloved martyrs and may He root out all aggression from His beloved Egypt, and may He heal the pain of all Egyptians suffering from the consequences of terrorism.

"And when you hear that we look for a kingdom, you suppose, without making any inquiry that we speak of a human kingdom. Instead, we speak of that which is with God, as can be shown from the confession of their faith made by those who are charged with being Christians, even though they know that death is the punishment awarded to those who so confess.

For if we looked for a human kingdom, we would deny our Christ, so that we might not be killed. We would try to escape detection, so that we might obtain what we hope for. But since our thoughts are not fixed on the present, we are not concerned when men cut us off; since death is a debt which must at all events be paid" (Justin Martyr, c. AD 150, First Apology 11).

We ask the Lord to protect His church and the Christians all over the world, to grant His peace upon us, to support our beloved father and patriarch, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, and to guide all the leaders and governors entrusted with the lives of all the people in the whole world.

Glory be to God, forever. Amen.

Bishop Youssef

Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

Source: Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States (https://suscopts.org/).

Statement by Bishop Angaelos after explosion kills at least 25 at St Peter Coptic Orthodox Church

December 12, 2016

It is with great sadness that we receive the news today of at least 25 people brutally murdered by an explosion during regular Sunday worship at St Peter’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo, adjacent to the Grand Cathedral of Saint Mark.

Our prayers are with those whose lives have been so senselessly ended, those who have been injured, and every family and community affected. We also pray for every Coptic parish and community across Egypt as they fill their churches this morning, as well as for the broader Egyptian society that fall victim to similar inhumane attacks.

Coptic Church Blast Kills Twenty Five People: Several Injured

Many within our Coptic community in Britain will have family and friends in Egypt, and we also pray for them at this time of uncertainty.

We share in this tragedy but are encouraged by the strength and resilience of our brethren in Egypt that we have grown accustomed to and learn from. We pray God’s peace and protection upon the Christians of Egypt, the broader Egyptian society, Christians around the world worshipping this morning and all faith communities that fall prey to similar attacks.

Source: Orthodoxy Cognate Page