The Fifth Month
Tir
The fifth month of the Ethiopian Liturgical Calendar year is known as “Tir.” Aleka Kidan Wolde Kiflea in his spiritual dictionary has stated the definition of the word Tir. According to the stated definition, the term is derived from the Geeze words “Ter, Teyero, Teyere, (Teriaa, Yiteree, Tsireha), which means “calling, shouting, saying yes.” (Book of Sewasew Wegese Wemezegbe Kalate Hadis, page 510). Tir is the name of the month, which is found between Tahesas and Yekatit.
On this season, “The Age of Aster’eyo” is commemorated. The word of the meaning is “revelation.” Holy Church celebrates this season specifically amongst other feasts. This is occasion that the revelation of Holy Trinity, The revelation of Heavenly Father by the human flesh for the salvation of the world, and heavenly mysteries were revealed and thus is called as such.
The age of Aster’eyo (Year of Revelation), is from the birth day of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Tahesas 29, including Christ’s Baptism, Tir 11, the departure of Holy Mother Saint Mary on Tir 21, until Megabit 3. At this time, we commemorate the major feasts of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Birthday, Epiphany and minor feasts including Lord’s Circumcision and Canna of Galilee. Other than these feasts, the revelation of Lady Virgin Mary for the heavenly souls is commemorated. Moreover, three major seasons are commemorated which are “Age of Birth”, “Age of Baptism” and “Age of Wedding,”
Age of Birth
Onwards the betrayal of Adam and Eve, the creator God has cursed and punished them including to be mortal. But then, all the sorrow, the pain, agony, misery, grief and tears brought the Holy Son from the heavens to the earth in sacrificing His life to the salvation of mankind.
The Lord came to the world to be born from human flesh and blood. When the time of 5500 years was finished, He was born from the pure, Saint Lady Virgin Mary at Bethlehem in animals cave.
Age of Baptism
The time included in “The Age of Aster’eyo” is the “Age of Baptism.” Our Lord and savior Jesus Christ’s Baptism by the hands of Saint John the Baptist, is what liberated us from satanic slavery and saved us from eternal fire. By His baptism, our Lord showed us absolute humbleness. In accordance to Lord Jesus Christ’s baptism, we be baptized for the salvation of the soul.
Age of Matrimony
This is a feast amongst the minor feasts of our Lord Jesus we celebrate on Tir 12. It was primarily commemorated on Yekatit 23. But then, on the month of Yekatit, lays the Great Lent and thus no feasts will be performed. So, it was changed to Tir 12.
Canna of Galilee is a feast where Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was presented with His Holy Mother Saint Mary and the apostles. It is the day that the Lady Virgin Mary interceded for the weddings when they run out of wine. Lord had accepted Saint Mary’s intercession and changed the water into wine.
There are also feasts we commemorate on this month as in scripted in Holy Scriptures; The Book of Ethiopian Synaxarium honors Saints throughout the month but we can only mention the major known feasts.
- Tir 1 is Saint Stephen’s departure.
- On the third of this month is celebrated the departure of Abba Libanos.
- The fourth day of Tir is the when Apostle and evangelist Saint John disappeared.
- Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s Circumcision is celebrated on Tir 6. It is also the day of disappearance of Prophet Elijah.
- The Great Feast day of Holy Trinity is celebrated on Tir 7 for two reasons. First it is the day the Lord broke the Tower of Babel and it is the honorable day of Holy Trinity’s Church.
- Tir 11 is Lord Jesus Christ’s baptism day by the hands of Saint John the Baptist. It is also the departure of our Father Abune Hara Denegle.
- The following day Tir 12, is celebrated Canna of Galilee, where Lord Jesus performed miracle at the wedding place changing the water into wine by the intercession of Holy Mother Saint Mary.
- The fifteenth day of Tir, we celebrate the martyrdom of Saint Cyrus and Julitta and 11, 004 martyrs
- Tir 18 is the feast day of Saint George the martyr, where his Holy Body was kept in his new built Church.
- Tir 21 is the departure day of Holy Mother Saint Mary.
- Tir 22 is the appointment day for the Archangel Saint Uriel. Also it is the departure day of Abune Antonios.
- Tir 23 is departure day of Apostle Saint Timothy.
- Tir 28 is the Holiday that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ fed 5000 people by two fishes and five Injera.
May our Lord’s mercy and blessing be with us, Amen!