The history of Gishen Mariam’s parishes establishment has its own reasons. The fragment of the Holy Cross came to Ethiopia from Alexandria in Mesekrem 10. Yet it was kept at Gishen in a church, in Meskrem 21 where Emperor Zera Yacob, announced it to the whole Ethiopia in reading texts.
The absolute love proven, the announcement of peace, our affirmation of liberation, and avow of salvation, the finding of the holy cross is a great feast and thus celebrated every year. The first man Adam betrayal put him to trail and so The Holy Son came down from the heavens to suffer and be sacrificed upon the cross. This being a big reason, we make a great feast on Meskerem 17.
Later on the queen made a church be built and honorable placed the cross. The feast of the lighting of torch is related with the Saint Helena’s burning of Demera.
At the time where earth is ornamented by flowers, there is a feast we celebrate specifically on Mesekerem 10, known to be “Teketsel Tsige (The Feast of Flowers).” Teketsel meaning “crown”, and Tsige to mean “flower,” is a feast that Holy Church celebrate in this ending of winter season. There are reasons for this also. One of them is related with the previous King’s stories.
When he had arrived in Jerusalem he knelt and prayed in the holy places, and he set out on his return journey without having bought the picture. Immediately he heard a voice, which said unto him, “Why has you forgotten to buy the picture?” being troubled by the voice he turned back into the marketplace, and found a picture of our Lady Mary, which had sweet features and a beautiful form. Having bought it he wrapped it up in cotton and in fine linen. as he was traveling along a terrible road in the desert thieves rose up against him, and when he was wishing to take to flight, a voice came forth from that picture which said, “Fear not: complete thy journey”; and he went on his way and none challenged him. Another time a savage lion rose up against him and wanted to rend him, and straightway an awful voice came forth from that picture and drove away the lion.
The foremost reason for the downfall of humans is the result of bad advice. Our father Adam though kept God’s law for seven years and live in heaven, he was deceived by the evil advice of Satan, then loose almighty Lord like God and holy place like heaven. This is due to evil advice; Now on this earth, alike previously, being aware or unaware, there are some bad advisers in deceiving and leading to unlawfulness.
On the other hand, there are good advisers initiating for goodness, direct the real path in enriching God, like Apostle Philip who is good advisor and dear friends. (John 1:46-51)
The only extra month stated in the Ethiopian Calendar is pagumen. Ethiopia has her own equation in enriching new years. Thus she lives by her chronology, religion, liturgy, tradition devoid of tarnishing of identity.
Holy Church commemorates the second coming of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on this month. Patristic father teaches us about Pagumen which is the transgression month of summer to winter. These two seasons are the resemblance of light and everlasting life in the kingdom of God. They remind us about judgment day. Also on this month, we celebrate the feast of Archangel Saint Raphael and the opening of heavens.
The great righteous prophet Micah, departed on Nehassie 22. He prophesied about Samaria and Jerusalem during the time of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezkiah, kings of Judeah. Also about the incarnation of the Lord, to Whom is the Glory, saying, “For behold, the Lord is coming out of His high place. He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth.” (Micah 1:3).
The word “Nehassie”, is derived from “Nassie” which means “the last of, the twelfth of “Messkerem.”(Aleka Kidane Wolde Dictionary page 637)
Dear children of God! How are you? How is this season of “Fast of Assumption of Saint Mary?” we hope you are spending it with you beloved ones according to the church liturgy and order! This is a great occasion all of us eagerly await for every year for we pray, fast and prostrate much. Little ones, on this fasting occasion, we shall attend the church, learn the word of God, pray, participate on the Divine Liturgy as well as do much good deeds.
Children! On this lesson of “which do you remember”, we have presented to you questions on the lesson about Christians endeavors. You shall send us your response on the address on our website address website.english@eotcmk.org