Sermon – Page 7 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

The Twelfth Month

Our country Ethiopia is embraced with sundry graces. Her beautiful infrastructure, natural resources and the Thirteen Months of Sunshine are few to be mentioned. As she is the only one who has thirteen months from any other country of the world, it makes her unique.

The twelfth month “Nehassie” in particular has its own consecrations. This season of winter is which we are endowed rain, plants, vegetables, flowers, grass and as such. We are graced with the fullness of oceans, seas, lakes, river and the wind blow. Desolated hills are rewarded; headwaters are strengthened.

The Seven Sacraments

Dear Children of God! how are you? How are you doing? How are you spending your break time in this winter season? We hope you are using it properly being obedient, good and smart children to your family and God, at home as well as in Church.

Children! It is very important to learn and know about the mysteries of our church that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ taught, because it is through them that we can have the right knowledge, live a true life and go to heaven/inherit God’s Kingdom/.

This was the main reason we have been teaching you about the sacraments of the Church consequently on our lessons. We hope you remember our last lessons on “The Mysterious of the Church,” and “The Seven Sacraments.” And today, we will see the second part of it.

The Immense Wealth

The inimitable is its nature, having neither white nor black, or grey but different color. Many are inept to express about it thus remain silent. Those marveled by its beauty are astonished. But could not describe it.

The Seven Sacraments

Dear Children of God! how are you? How are you spending the winter season? As you know, this is the occasion that is cold, wet and snowy. Therefore, it is better to use your break time for reading of Holy Scriptures, studying your school lessons at home and local churches, whilst helping your family on house chorus. Ok? good!

Children, may we remind you that we have been learning about “The Mysteries of Church” for the last consecutives weeks. Hope you understood our lessons and put them into practice because in Christian life, the main purpose is the act of good deed by keeping the law of God and church’s order. Well! And now we will proceed to our lesson of “The Seven Sacraments.”

Our Sense Organs in Christianity

Humans express feelings through the sense organs when in various situations. Happiness, anger, fear, pain, love and alike are our feelings. We express these feelings by the eyes, hands, legs, mouth, face and physical emotion.

The Life of the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul

The marvelous witness, miraculous work and deed, is the signification of the disciples afore they departure later an astonishing fight and struggle for the Love of the Lord. The apostles were the closest one to talk, walk, share food and whose feet are even washed by His Holy Hands.

We celebrate the feast of our fathers the pure Apostles on the day of the commemoration of the Martyrdom of Saint Peter and Saint Paul which is 5th day of the Hamele, Ethiopian calendar. Then, it is so vital to commemorate their hagiography.

Mystery of The Resurrection of the Dead

Dear Children of God! How are you? How is this season of fasting of the apostles? Hope you have hold on strong through it, praying, fasting and obeying God’s command. This fast known as “The Fast of the Apostles” is amongst the seven chronical fast. After receiving the grace of the Holy Spirt, Saint Apostles began their service in prayer and fasting. Making their fast exemplary, after the “Feast of Pentecost”, we fast until Hamele four. Then the feasts fall on Hamele Five, which is also the Feasts of Saint Peter and Saint Paul’s departure day.

Good children! Do you remember our last lesson? We hope so! May we remind you it was about “Mystery of of Eucharist.” And for today, we will teach you about “Mystery of the Resurrection of the Dead.”

“We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29)

The very first thing that our Lord, God seeks from His every creature, is obedience. In particular to humans, obedience is the way of showing love to our creator; abiding by His law and commandment, living by keeping the order of Church, we play the role of God’s children.

“Then they will fast” (Matthew 9:15)

The Love of the Lord unconditional and bestowed dearly to them, it kept them yarning and fretful after His death, unable to believe His rise until their eyes witnessed His appearance, hands touched His pierced body and yet again ate with Him.

The Lord’s promise was what made their strength and brought grace upon them. “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were gifted of the Holy Spirit that empowered them spiritual grace and endowing them seventy-one surplus languages. For this, they exited to fulfill the Lord’s order, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

This tremendous work of God was not to be done without payer and fast. The Lord has previously said, “When the bridegroom will be taken away from them, … then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:15) For this truth, the apostles embraced by the Holy Spirit and the Love of Christ, fasted on the Month of Sene.

Mystery of Eucharist

Dear Children of God! How are you? How are you spending this season of Fifty Days of Feast? And How was the holiday of The Ascension of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Hope you have spent it with your family in accordance to the Church Liturgy.

Children! On the tenth day of our Lord’s ascension and the fifth day of His resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. Then, the apostles were sent out to preach the word of God (Gospel), baptize gentiles (unbelievers) and cast out demons from humans. Subsequent to their teaching and work of the Lord, we celebrate “The Ascension of the Lord on the fortieth day,” “Feast of Pentecost” on the fiftieth day and fast “The Apostles Fast” starting the following day of the feast on the “Month of Sene” until the Feast of Departure of the Two Pillars of Church, Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul on “Hamele 5.”

Dear Children of God! our Lord and Savior not only taught us about fasting and the Church Liturgy through the disciples, but also about the “Mystery of Eucharist.”