Archive for category: Sermon

Of the Church leaders some are commended, others are in the middle, while others were severely reprimanded. Church leaders found currently in Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church cannot say that the challenges that earlier Church leaders faced in those days do not exist today, as we are found in this world of many trials.

It would be difficult for one to make the claim that all problems can be avoided. However, we remember that great fathers arise amongst us who manage to exert utmost efforts to keep serious problems and gaps at bay. The fundamental issue is not the question why the gap emerged; rather the issue is, why there is complacency and lack of action in view of such a situation.  This conference is of huge significance and is expected to exert enormous efforts regarding this issue. 

Although there are tasks that should have been carried out by the Church but were not done satisfactorily, it should not be forgotten that there are still some areas of good performance.  Particularly, the efforts of the laity to support the Church and development works is very encouraging more than ever. More important of all, the efforts of the Church to spread the Word of God in different parts of the world can be claimed as an illustration that the Church has grown to become international.
Since the tasks of the Church are enormous and of diverse nature, it is important that some tasks need to be focused on for action:

• Laying down procedures to equip the Church with a modern administrative system for it to be able to manage its resources and property efficiently;
• Make sure that regulations, policies and rules that are designed  in accordance with the legal framework requirements of the Church are transparent and provide for accountability;
• Budget should be allocated this year for the master plan and media study that have been put on hold thus far, and they should be put to use urgently; 
• Laying down good governance and strengthen the spread of the Gospel so as to reverse the fleeing of the laity; 
• Strengthening the tie and relation of parish Churches overseas with the Mother Church;
• Making the Church economically prosperous by expanding development works in various sectors;
• Bringing up children and the young, who are the successor generation of the Church, with religious education and imbuing them with ethical values by organizing them in Sunday schools;
• Strengthening the efforts of Sunday schools and monasteries, and it is of utmost significance that particular attention be given to these efforts;
• On the other hand, we have realized that due to the lack of rain in our country this year, drought and shortage of food have occurred in different parts of our country, as reports of the diocese in the 34th general spiritual conference of the Church indicated;
• Thus, since it is natural that we need to carry the suffering of fellow citizens in accordance with the instructions of our religion and social values, in addition teaching the public to share what they have, this Holy Church, which is the Mother of the people, need to do everything in its capacity to help those in need, and that this conference of the Holy Synod deliberate on the issue.

Finally, we call up on this Holy Synod to discuss on the major issues raised above so as to reach at appropriate decisions. Hence this Holy Synod conference of October, 2015 has been blessed and declared open in accordance with the Church’s tradition of spiritual article 5 sub article 164.
                                                               May God Bless Our Conference  Amen!!
                        Aba Mathias Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Patriarch. 

Among the reports presented in the assembly, Mahibere Kidusan’s annual report was the one, and its details are given and summarized briefly as follows, as presented directly by the Deputy Head of the Department. 

In the previous fiscal year, MK carried out different development projects at Abba Giorogis Zegasicha Monastery in South Wollo Diocese, Debre Kewakibt Gundani Monastery in East Tigray Diocese, Harar St. Philip Monastery in East Harege Diocese , Haiq Estiphanos and Iyyesus Mo’a Monasteries in South Wollo Diocese, Arba Minch St. Mary Church in Gamogofa Diocese , Gondar Be’ata Aquaquam (a system of chants) church school in north Gondar Diocese, Motta St. George Church school in East Gojjam Diocese, Qoma St. Fasiledes Digua Misikir Bet (school of excellence in chant system) in South Gondar Diocese, Kemise St. Michael Church school construction at a total cost of 19,014,016.80 EthB.

Mahibere Kidusan carried out construction designs for 38 churches and managed to save an estimated cost of 1,800,000.00 Birr  as well as counseling service in different dioceses that asked the help of the organization as part of the voluntary service it offers free of charge.

The fellowship also organized 440 public sermons (guba’eyat) across the country and 15 others in North America and Europe as part of its evangelical mission. Mahibere Kidusan also made an apostolic journey to peripheral areas of the country in collaboration with archbishops who represent the localities. Accordingly, 13, 776 nonbelievers were baptized and became members of the church through the campaign held in collaboration with concerned archbishops representing the dioceses. Six churches were also built for the service of newly baptized believers.
 
Mahibere Kiduzan offered continuous spiritual courses for 200,000 Orthodox Christian students who pursue their studies in governmental and private higher institutions; the courses focus on the dogma, order and tradition of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church.

40,000 of the registered students who had successfully accomplished their courses graduated and received certificates from the hands of archbishops. Out of these, 1, 700 got chance of scholarship to learn in a regular church commentary schools through Mahibere Kidusan.  

In addition, Mahibere Kidusan has spent 1,800,000 Birr to provide regular financial support for 184 church teachers and for 1111 students in 163 church schools found in different dioceses. Over the past fiscal year, Mahibere Kidusan also published and distributed 376,000 copies of Sim’atsidk (means Witness of Truth), a bimonthly newspaper, and Hamer (means Ark, of Noah) magazine (published monthly), both of which are the official publications of the organization. The organization also published various spiritual articles and sermons on its website in Amharic, Affaan Oromo as well as English languages with the aim of targeting a diverse audience.

According to the decision of the Holy Synod, Mahibere Kidusan has used a receipt published by Tinsa’e Zegubae publication to collect its revenue from its member’s monthly fee, holy place development social service and evangelical expansion program. Out of 21,914,349.31 Birr income, 21,726,982.17 Birr was spent to finance spiritual services and projects carried out by the Church during the 2007 Ethiopian fiscal year. The balance shows that the remaining amount is 187, 367.14 Birr.

October 16, 2015

Managing director of development institutions administration, Ato Haylu Fiseha, delivered the welcoming remarks on the occasion. Some 256 trainees in Harp; 17 in single string instrument [Mesenqo]; 6 in beating and handling dram; as well as 11 in Ge’ez language attended the 9 months regular and 3 months summer training program. 

Megabe Sibhat Alemu Aga, a veteran professional player of harp, who was a guest on the event, played the instrument and had a message for the graduates. The important point is not graduating, he said. The skill is a profession and requires constant practicing to avoid losing the skill acquired. Harp has been played by King David and has been passed down generations intact without adulteration and changes to this day. The contemporary time changes fast and we are witnessing attempts to use the harp contrary to its history and tradition. This is absolutely wrong. You have to realize the fact that the instrument is for praising and singing for the Lord, and as such there a serious need to protect it and pass it down as intact, he said. 

Graduates had presentations in their respective training areas as part of the program on the day.

Graduates who took part in the training said that they have acquired sufficient skill from the training and in the future they will play their part by passing on their knowledge to others to make sure that the harp is maintained as spiritual instrument.

In addition to Abuna Gorgoriyos education and training centre,  Mahibere Kidusan development institutions administration has been providing its services by opening an additional branch at national palace primary school recently to provide training on harp, single string instrument [Mesenqo], and beating and handling dram, as well as Ge’ez language.

All Ethiopians;

 “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.”  Deut 32:7

Time is among the invisible and colorless things God created. It is something which manifests itself through events, and no one can deny its existence. It has been calculated using units such as minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, and so on.since time is the moment when events take place, people describe it as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ depending on the nature of the events that occurred at that particular time. What matters, however, is that we realize the benefits of time and that we do our best to make the most out of it. 

Time came into existence with the creation of the world, and is meant to be used by humans living in this world. The heavenly world lies outside the bounds of time. (Gen.1:14). Without time, human beings wouldn’t have been able to lead orderly and planned lives. So, time is a resource that humans need to make their existence in this world worthwhile.  

In addition to this, since people can learn from time and what happened in it, God tells us to remember the past and take lessons from it. Hence we should make good use of this valuable resource and refrain from wasting it. 

All of you, our dear children in the Holy Spirit;

Our country Ethiopia is a beautiful land endowed with diverse resources. We should all work together and stop talking about poverty while living in this earthly paradise. We have to find out the root causes of our poverty, and work hard to achieve sustainable development.  

If truth be told, the key to end poverty lies in developing a good work ethic and initiation, and striving hard to change our situation at home. Especially, the young generation should develop such working culture and improve their lives. When we understand this and take practical measures, we will be able to eradicate poverty. 

We know that, in today’s world, there are many countries that prospered through hard work though they are not endowed with diverse natural resources such as fertile land, clean water and suitable weather condition, all of which Ethiopia has. 

As we welcome the New Year, we call on the public, and especially the youth, to align their plans with the country’s development ambitions and act accordingly to achieve remarkable growth and realize our renaissance.