The Sixth Month
Yekatit
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church education states the sixth month “as Yekatit.” Aleka Kidan Wolde Kefilea in his spiritual dictionary says the term is derived from “Ketete” and the phrases “Ketit, Ketitot” and means “the name of a month, the sixth month, the peak of harvest, inclusion, the beginning of autumn.” (Page 515)
Other writers have stated the term as “Yekatit” derived from “Ketit, Ketitot” and says has means “thresh, produce, gather and embed.” They have also said it is the month where the harvest is put into the barn.
Romanians acknowledge this month as the shortest; the length of its days is also 28 once 3 years and on once a fourth year, it becomes 29 days following the additional day of “Month of Pagumen.” Though the Romanians do not commemorate this month, following the Liturgical Calendar and affirms it as a month, the days are known in all countries. This is as result of the sun which has a known orbit and it is same in all countries. According to the Romanian calendar, its base for the commemoration is the establishment of Rome, but Kings who have reigned simultaneously have changed the names of the months.
However, according to the liturgical calendar of Ethiopia, there is not variation since all month contain 30 days. Accord the teaching of Abushaker, there are six windows on east and six windows on the west side that the sun rises on. One window has 30 seconds interval and thus, the sun rises by the one window for the whole month, and passes on the second window on the next month. The window starts on the south side. For the witness of this, the truth of sun and moon are created on the “Month of Miazya,” by the fourth window.
As we have seen above, the sun rises and sets on its window on the south side on the first window, on Yekatit and Hidar on the second window, on Megabit and Tikmete on the third Window, on Miyazia and Meskerem on the fourth window, on Genbote and Nehassie on the fifth window, on Senae and Hamele on the sixth window.
After this, it sets at the south side. By this comprehension, it rises on the second window on Yekatit. On the month of Yekatit, sun comes out and goes in on the second window; on the south window, the sun’s window begins. Therefore, the day hour increases and night decreases; the daily hours are 13 and the night hours are 11. The timing accord Enoch is the day hour is 8 and the night is 10.
The moon following the month, slumbers with the sun daily in the 6 windows of sun; it slumbers on the month of Yekatit; one day on the second window, for a day on the third window, on the fourth window for one day, one day on the fifth window, one day on the sixth window; on the fifth window for two days, on the fourth day for a two day, on the third day for two days, on the second windows for two days and on the first window for eight days.
Based the Ethiopian classification of seasons, the period of Tahesas 26 up to Megabit 25 is known as Hagaye (Bega), sunny and warm season. Patristic Fathers of Abushaker tell us a star known as “Narael” governs this season.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo (incarnation) commemorates feasts according to Holy Scriptures every month and year; in regards, the Book of Synaxarium commemorate Saints throughout this month. But we can only mention the major ones.
1. Yekatit 2 is the departure day of Aba Paulie.
2. Yekatit 3 is the discovery and resting of relics of Saint Ephraim the Syrian.
3. Yekatit 6 is the departure day of Mary, the woman who pours perfume on Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
4. Yekatit 8 is the day that Lord Jesus Christ entered the temple after 40 days of His birth. It is also the departure day of Prophetess Hannah.
5. Yekatit 10 is the martyrdom of Apostle Saint James.
6. Yekatit 15 is the departure of Prophet Zechariah.
7. Yekatit 16 is the feast of Holy Mother Saint Mary who received a covenant of mercy for the salvation of mankind through commemorating her day by feeding the poor, alms giving and good nurturing the destitute. It is also the departure day of Saint Elizabeth, the mother of Saint John the Baptist.
8. Yekatit 26 is the departure day of Prophet Hosea.
9. Yekatit 29 is commemoration of ancient feast day of Lord Jesus birth.
10. Yekatit 30 is the discovery of the holy head of Saint John the Baptist, after teaching for 15 years sole from its entire body. It rested on this day.
Glory be to God!