“Man shall say, Zion is my mother” (Psalm 86:5)
The Holy, the sacred and abode of God, Zion, is most celebrated in our country, for we are bestowed the Ark of the Covenant on Hidar 21 in Ethiopia, Axum city, the home of our Holy Mother Saint Mary.
The Ark of the Covenant is the transmission of Israeli people from the Law of conscience to the Pentateuch Law, within the written words of the ten commandments on the tablet. It has rescued the Israelis from many travail from the era of Prophet Mosses up to King Solomon being their power and strength.
A thousand years ago, before the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the reigned Queen Saba of Ethiopia, travelled to Jerusalem craving to witness the wisdom of the wise King Solomon. On her journey to Israel, she met him and learned his wisdom which is from God, for six months whilst being pregnant her child Menelik.
On the return of the Queen Saba from Israel, the King gave her a ring as a sign for the conceived child to be aware of his father when he grows up. As she was turning back and reaching the Red (Eritrean) Sea, Maiyala in Hamasen district, she gave birth to her son. Then she took and raised him in their home town Axum until he grew to be 22 years old. But, his request of meeting his father became undeniable to the Queen for he got the permission to go to Jerusalem with the merchant Tamrin. Menelik went to Israel through Gaza and was well received by the people as he was exact look alike of his father Solomon and was escorted by troops. The Israel even bowed for him assuming the King came to them. Words by his arrival reached the castle of the King that made him eager to see his look alike. He did not need to ask for the ring as the sign but knew his son came to him.
Onwards, the wise King received Menelik with love and taught him the Israelis’ language, tradition, religion and liturgy for three years by the assigning teacher Priest Zadok. It was unfortunate for the King Solomon though, as he was to be separated from his son since the people were requesting for Menelik to return back to his country. Their first reason is the truth about the King and his sons face look alike that made it difficult to distinguish them when they are present at different places for they would bow for the King. They told him their concern about being governed for two Kings in the same country and even demanded for him to throne his son or else send him to his mother.
The King wanted to throne his son in Israel but was not the will of God and Menelik also. Wise Solomon accepted the decision on one condition; he told them he would send his son back to Ethiopia alongside all the eldest sons and Priests of Israel. Later on, Menelik, one thousand and two hundred eldest sons of Israeli’s and three hundred and eighteen Priests led by Azariah started their journey to our country. They were carrying many several books and materials written by Enoch and wise Solomon.
However, Azariah and the other Priests were planning to take the Ark of the Covenant without the King’s and his son’s awareness. For the success of their plan, they made another look alike of the Ark of the Covenant and took it to the temple where the real one was found. When they reached, the door opened, light filled the temple and Ark of Zion rose from her seat, because it was the will of God. They praise the Lord for his willing and took it right away by replacing the look alike instead of its place. As soon as they started their journey, Israel was hit by a great rumble. The Israelis escorted them in much sorrow and yelp for losing their sons.
King Solomon heart was filled with fear and even told Priest Zadok about his concern of Menelik’s journey. He even told him about his dream whilst his stay with the Queen Saba “the son rising in Israel and then setting in another country.” He spoke about his concern of the situation which he believed to have relation with the dream. He ordered him to check the Ark of the Covenant in its temple. Priest Zadok did what he was ordered. He went to the temple only to find the Ark of Zion was taken and could not believe his eyes. He fell down and became numb like a dead person.
King Solomon was worried when Priest Zadok did not return and had to send another people. They witnessed the same thing and told the king. He was furious and summoned his soldiers ordering them to bring back the Ark of the Covenant and kill all the Ethiopian soldiers. But, he said, “if they have crossed the red sea, leave them and return back.” As for him, he bowed down in front of God, entreating as to why the grace of His abode is taken from them.
Even if the ordered soldiers were very fast runners along with their horses, they were unable to reach the Ethiopian troop. Menelik, Azariah and the other Priest were carrying Ark of Zion, thus they were travelling by a fire carriage and was fast as a wind. The” Book of Kibra Negest” state about this truth affirming they were lifted up an arm high in their journey.” Crossing the red sea and reaching Egypt, they took a rest. By then Azariah told Menelik Junior about the Ark of the Covenant coming with them and no one even him or the king could take it back to Jerusalem as it was the will of God.
Menelik was filled with much delight hearing about it and was very happy. Right away, he ordered for the people and the soldiers to hear about it and praise God. They were all filled with contentment and until they reach Ethiopia from Egypt, a great voice of praise took place. On her Hidar 21, they reached Axum where Queen Saba received them with great joy and hearing their praise, she asked the reason. She was told about the Ark of Zion and her gladness was twice much.
Zion is representation of Our Holy Mother Saint Mary. The tablet it carries is the imitation of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Ark of the Covenant is made up of stainless wood which represents the purity of Lady Virgin Mary. The outer side made of gold is the clarification of her holiness and two-fold virginity.
Ark of the Covenant is the abode of God and so is Saint Mary, the Mother of God. No creature could ever be close to the Lord as our Holy Mother. Even the four beasts who carry the throne of God were not able to carry the Lord as Holy Mother Saint Mary did in her womb. For this, she is bestowed the gift of “Mercy of Covenant” for the salvation of people who believe in her prayer, intercession and mediation. Prophet David said, “Man shall say, Zion is my mother” and thus we shall call upon her in time of destitutions. (Psalm 87:5)
Ethiopia is now in misery for we are trapped with much tribulations, venalities and evils. The world is sinking in the storm of satanic depravity. Aware or unware, most are consumed by the deceitful of the evils work and fell to recognize its outcome. Men are monopolized by the devil’s work and are unable to be free of it. To make matter worse, life has become hard even worldly as the increment of the household expenses, tribal wars, conflicts and massacre killing has become unbearable for many.
Brethren! we shall wake up, see the world surrounding us and recon the evilness of this world. Has in it not become dark, hopeless and full of evil. This is the result of our impiety and defy of God’s commandment. We must not be blinded by all the falsity of this world, be tempted by its frill and fell for our bodily desire for it is just temporary which is not worthy of losing our soul. All the money we acquire, the delicious food and tasteful drink we consume and the luxury houses we dwell or else the high buildings or business we own are all to vanish within moments. This is somewhat we have proven in our eyes and experience in our lives. What lasts forever is the heavenly life we hope to inherit after corporeal death.
We need the mercy of God and intercession of Holy Mother Saint Mary for this though, as her name in Amharic language indicates “Mariam means one who leads to the kingdom of heaven.” The Lord has vowed to forgive all who plead in her name, give alms and feed the poor in particular to her feast days. We celebrate her holidays especially the annual feasts hoping she will intercede for us. Hidar 21 is a big feast in the history of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and all Christians commemorate the day honoring the Ark of the Covenant and Mother of God Lady Virgin Saint Mary.
May God’ mercy and the intercession of Holy Mother of Saint Mary be with us, Amen!