Sermon – Page 3 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

Are we living in the end times?

Are we living in the end times? Is everything that is happening around us pointing to the end of the world as we know it? I’m sure many of us have asked this question before, and many people in history have also assumed that their own era is nearing the so called ‘end of the ages’. As a matter of fact, every generation of humans has had at least one group of people who claimed they would be the generation that would witness the so called “end of the world”. And so, it comes as no surprise, that in an exceptional time like the one we live in now, a time of pandemic, chaos, and panic, that many are also claiming that the end is near. But is it?

Mother Zion

Words cannot be sufficient enough to describe the honor and praise of our Holy Mother Saint Virgin Mary. Fortunate to us, for we are willed to use the words revealed to Saints in talking about and praise of her. “Our spiritual love towards the Savior Jesus Christ and His mother is deep-rooted in our hearts, and appears in our daily life. We love Saint Mary, the Virgin and mother of God, through whom we discover the nature of her Son as the Incarnate Son of God. Her life speaks of God’s redeeming deed, and explains man’s role in attaining the heavenly life by the divine grace. Saint Mary is our Mother, who became an archetype of the Church, receiving a universal maternity to man. She loves the whole world, longing for the perfect salvation of everybody…” says Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty in his book “Saint Mary in the Orthodox Concept)

The Nativity Fast

Brethren! We have become less fortunate when it comes to having good Religious and Patristic Fathers who can lead us to the right path. They are facing their own trail and impediments within this devious world. We are leaving in a universe filled with evil, deceptiveness, treachery, fornication and all the sinful acts disgraced by the Lord. As the days go by, we are sinking into the satanic storm and for this, we seek to have a shelter from all the deviousness and weapons in defeating the enemy. Our sturdy weapons are prayer, fasting, prostration and good deeds as we have read and learned from the fight of righteous and saints in scripted in their hagiographies.

Saint Angel’s Intercession

Dear Children of God! how are you? How is life and education? Our Great Lord has enriched us to the third month of this year! Glory to Him! Hope you have grown spiritually and in your Christian life. It is better to learn and study well in your young age for you would be a brave, good and obedient children of God.

Little ones! If you remember, we have learned about the meaning of intercession and our Holy Mother Saint Mary’s intercession on our last lesson. On this section, we will see about the intercession of Saint Angels; be with us!

The Holy Family’s Flight and the Returning

The flight of The Holy Family to Egypt and Ethiopia is both a significant and a living tradition for the people of the land of the Pharaohos and blessing to our country.

The Third Month

The third month of the Ethiopian Liturgical Year is known as “Hidar.” The word is derived from the Geeze word “Mahedere,” which means “abode.” According to the Holy Church teaching, the time from Hidar six up to Tahisas seven, the thirteen consecutive days are known as “Age of Mercy.” This is the time when we think the mercy, forgiveness and kindness of God.

Holy Mother Saint Virgin Mary’s Intercession

Dear Children of God! how are you? How is school? Are you are learning attentively? It is better if you start studying hard beginning now! Two months have passed since the New Year began. So then, what have you learned through these times? Some schools have started trail exams, testing students their knowledge. So how was the exam? Hope you have scored good grades! Well done!

Little ones! If you remember on our previous lesson, we have learned a bit about intercession. Now, we will see about Saint Virgin Mary’s intercession.

“There are many who say, who will show us any good?” (Psalm 4:6)

It seems as the Prophet David said these words for those who reached up to the harsh and hard time, seeking for the good rather than the bad; not the crooked but the straight; the light other than the dark; the confused pupil craving for a teacher.

The Second Month

The second month of the Ethiopian Calendar is known as “Month of Tikmet.” The Book of Synaxarium in its introduction section states about this month saying, “The time of the day is 11 hours; and after this decreases.” This means from the 24 hours of the day, the night is 13 hours and as for the light, is 11 hours. Therefore, on the month of Tikmet, the night hour is long than the day.

The word “Tikmet” comes from the Geeze word, which is “Tekim Tekimot” to mean “a made root.” The world is created on this month and so is known as “The beginning of work.”

Aleka Kidane Wolde Kiflae translates the word Tikmet as, “Name of a month; second of Meskerem, a Fruit, flower as its base; Month of Fruit; season of grain.” (Aleka Kidane Wolde Kiflae’s Dictionary. page 508)

Answers to the Questions

Dear Children of God! how are you? Glory to God for enriching us from the Year of John to the Year of Matthew! How are you spending the new year? Hope you are enriched with hopes, good wishes and bright future! We have been embraced also by another feasts “Feast of the Cross.” How was the holiday? We assumed you have spent it with joy and good endeavors with your families and beloved ones!

Children! it is important to take part in Church education. You shall attend the Church and learn the basic education of Orthodox Incarnation (Tewahedo) Religion in living Christian life and inherit the Kingdom of God.

Little ones! We have brought you the answers of the questions that we presented to you on our last lesson. We encourage those who have participated on answering the questions and invite others who have not to do so on our next quiz.