{"id":3941,"date":"2016-04-27T03:05:45","date_gmt":"2016-04-27T03:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/through-the-solemn-lent-to-the-joyous-easter-belief-and-practice-in-christian-ethiopia\/"},"modified":"2016-04-27T03:05:45","modified_gmt":"2016-04-27T03:05:45","slug":"through-the-solemn-lent-to-the-joyous-easter-belief-and-practice-in-christian-ethiopia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/through-the-solemn-lent-to-the-joyous-easter-belief-and-practice-in-christian-ethiopia\/","title":{"rendered":"Through the Solemn Lent to the Joyous Easter: Belief and Practice in Christian Ethiopia"},"content":{"rendered":"

April 27, 2016 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b> <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

By Dr.  Mersha Alehegne<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b> <\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b> <\/p>\n

Ethiopia, as the stronghold of the Apostolic Christian faith, can be regarded as an open air Christian museum. It is the only country where Christianity deposits its two thousand years of tradition and history where biblical teaching gets the truest application. A lot of religious pasts come alive in Ethiopia in the form of strange and beautiful movements and ruins, built living centuries ago, or in the form of the unalterable biblical traditions. <\/span> <\/div>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

This, in fact, is the unique and most valuable legacy of the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, an indigenous and integral Church of Africa, who has the credit to shape the overall identity of the country for years.<\/span> <\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>Nonetheless this land of Christianity "is truly a land of discovery brilliant and beautiful, secretive, mysterious and extra ordinary" for the fact that it too, "is a land of astonishing natural beauty offering an almost unbelievable variety of landscapes . . . deserts . . . astonishing lake lands . . . savannas teems with game".<\/span> <\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>Literally speaking, the life of Christian people of Ethiopia are revolving around two things: fast and feast. For her children, to stay strong in their Christian life, the church recognized and chastised the necessity of the mastery spirit over the body. For this, she prescribed lots of spiritual deeds and practices. The one to come in the first list here is fasting which amounts to about 250 days a year. ” Their fasts are more numerous perhaps than those of any other Christian people, more than two – thirds of the year being assigned to abstinence. ” (Parkyns:276).<\/span> <\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>Although faithful of the church fast two-third of the year, they, in some degree relax themselves by the number of annual and monthly feasts they celebrate incessantly. These feasts can be categorized as the Feasts of Lord, Feasts of Virgin Mary, Feasts of Saints, and Feasts of the Angels. This short article aims at introducing, very briefly, a fast (Lent) and a feast (Easter) which are considered by the church as the most significant (than others) in the history of Christ’s revelation to man.<\/span> <\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>Lent (<\/span>;b!Y <\/span>ÛM<\/span><\/b>; Abiy som):<\/b> is one of the fasts which is observed following the example of Jesus Christ who fasted for forty days and nights in a desert after His baptism. The fast is known by several names: <\/span>ወ<\/span>R` <\/span>Û<\/span>M<\/span><\/b>(wärha śom) meaning the month of fasting: <\/span>›RÆ <\/span>ÛM<\/span>(Arba śom), meaning the forty days’ fast and ; <\/span>;b!Y<\/span>ÛM<\/span>(<\/span>Abiy <\/span>som<\/span><\/i>),<\/span>),<\/span> <\/span>meaning<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>big<\/span> <\/span>fast.<\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n

 During  <\/span>these  <\/span>fasting  <\/span>season,  <\/span>t<\/span>h<\/span>e  <\/span>Ethi<\/span>opian  Orthodox  Tewahido  church  <\/span>de<\/span>votees  <\/span>attend  <\/span>Church services al<\/span>mo<\/span>st <\/span>every <\/span>da<\/span>y<\/span>. <\/span>Each <\/span>day<\/span>, <\/span>services are <\/span>hel<\/span>d <\/span>from <\/span>m<\/span>o<\/span>rning to <\/span>2:45 <\/span>P.M. <\/span>every <\/span>early <\/span>in <\/span>the m<\/span>o<\/span>rning <\/span>when <\/span>the <\/span>priests <\/span>sing <\/span>from <\/span>books <\/span>of <\/span>devo<\/span>tion <\/span>such <\/span>as <\/span>S<\/span><\/i><\/span>∂<\/span>bhatä Näg<\/span>h <\/span><\/i>m<\/span>e<\/span>aning <\/span>"<\/span>m<\/span>ornin<\/span>g praise." <\/span>There, <\/span>they <\/span>read <\/span>a<\/span>nd sing <\/span>fr<\/span>om <\/span>such <\/span>books <\/span>of <\/span>devotion <\/span>as the <\/span>W<\/span><\/i><\/span>∂<\/span>ddase <\/span>Maryam <\/span><\/i>(The <\/span>praise <\/span>of Mary<\/span>), <\/span>Mälk<\/i><\/span>∂<\/span>‘<\/span><\/i>a <\/span>Maryam<\/i>,  <\/span>Mälk<\/span><\/i><\/span>∂<\/span>‘<\/span><\/i>a <\/span>Iyyäsus <\/span><\/i>(The <\/span>prai<\/span>se <\/span>of <\/span>our <\/span>Lor<\/span>d <\/span>Jesus <\/span>Chris<\/span>t) <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>abso<\/span>lution of <\/span>their<\/span> <\/span>sins,<\/span> <\/span>t<\/span>h<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>longevi<\/span>t<\/span>y<\/span> <\/span>o<\/span>f<\/span> <\/span>their<\/span> <\/span>spirit<\/span>u<\/span>al<\/span> <\/span>fathers,<\/span> <\/span>a<\/span>n<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>di<\/span>v<\/span>ine<\/span> <\/span>protection of<\/span> <\/span>their<\/span> <\/span>count<\/span>r<\/span>y<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>its people.<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

In most cases, <\/span>only one full <\/span>m<\/span>e<\/span>al <\/span>is <\/span>taken a <\/span><\/span>day at three o’clock in the afternoon in obedience to fasting rule of the Church.<\/span> <\/span>However, on <\/span>Saturday<\/span>s and Sunda<\/span>y <\/span>p<\/span>eople <\/span>are allo<\/span>wed <\/span>to <\/span>eat <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>m<\/span>o<\/span>rning. <\/span>Meat, <\/span>butter <\/span>and m<\/span>ilk <\/span>are <\/span>forbidden. <\/span>D<\/span>rums <\/span>and cy<\/span>m<\/span>b<\/span>als <\/span>ar<\/span>e <\/span>not <\/span>allowed <\/span>to <\/span>be <\/span>used, <\/span>since <\/span>th<\/span>e <\/span>fast <\/span>repre<\/span>sents <\/span>a se<\/span>aso<\/span>n <\/span>of m<\/span>ourning.<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

\n

Apart <\/span>fro<\/span>m <\/span>the <\/span>abstinence <\/span>fro<\/span>m <\/span>different <\/span>kinds <\/span>of <\/span>food, <\/span>any <\/span>po<\/span>pular <\/span>entertainment <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>form <\/span>of m<\/span>u<\/span>sic <\/span>is <\/span>forbidden. <\/span>Bä<\/span>gän<\/span>a<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>one <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>traditional <\/span>m<\/span>u<\/span>sical <\/span>instru<\/span>ments, is <\/span>common <\/span>in <\/span>these <\/span>fasting day<\/span>s. <\/span>The <\/span>G<\/span>änätä <\/span>Tsige <\/span>kidus <\/span>Gi<\/span>y<\/span>o<\/span>rg<\/span>is <\/span>church <\/span>at <\/span>Addis <\/span>Ababa <\/span>has <\/span>a <\/span>per<\/span>man<\/span>ent evening <\/span>program devoted to <\/span>sing <\/span>b<\/span>y <\/span>this <\/span>ins<\/span>trument. <\/span>Despite the <\/span>gene<\/span>ral <\/span>and <\/span>im<\/span>perative <\/span>fasting <\/span>not <\/span>of <\/span>Lent, <\/span>exem<\/span>ptions are <\/span>allowed <\/span>to <\/span>newly <\/span>m<\/span>arried <\/span>couples, <\/span>sick <\/span>persons <\/span>and <\/span>wom<\/span>en <\/span>who <\/span>have <\/span>gi<\/span>ven <\/span>birth.<\/span> <\/p>\n

A <\/span>day <\/span>before, <\/span>the <\/span>Pas<\/span>sion <\/span>Week <\/span>start<\/span>s, <\/span>Hosa‘<\/span><\/i>∂<\/span>na<\/span><\/i>, the <\/span>Palm <\/span>Sunda<\/span>y <\/span>is <\/span>observed <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>proper cere<\/span>m<\/span>onie<\/span>s <\/span>with <\/span>pal<\/span>m<\/span>s, <\/span>processions a<\/span>nd <\/span>special <\/span>se<\/span>rvices. <\/span>In <\/span>some <\/span>plac<\/span>es <\/span>lik<\/span>e <\/span>st. <\/span>Mary <\/span>Churches <\/span>of Axum Tsion <\/span>and <\/span>Entoto, <\/span>this <\/span>feast <\/span>is <\/span>observed in <\/span>a <\/span>more <\/span>dramatic <\/span>way <\/span>as <\/span>it <\/span>has <\/span>happened in <\/span>Jerusale<\/span>m when <\/span>Jesus <\/span>en<\/span>tered <\/span>into <\/span>the <\/span>city <\/span>from <\/span>Bethlehe<\/span>m <\/span>and <\/span>Bethany<\/span>.<\/span> <\/p>\n

The <\/span>week <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>passio<\/span>n <\/span>(<\/span><\/i>sÑ<\/span>n <\/span>?¥¥<\/span>T<\/span><\/span>; <\/span>Sämunä <\/span>H<\/span><\/span><\/i>∂<\/span>mamat)<\/span>: <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b>this <\/span>is <\/span>the <\/span>last <\/span>we<\/span>ek <\/span>of <\/span>Lent which <\/span>covers <\/span>the <\/span>da<\/span>y<\/span>s <\/span>from <\/span>Monday <\/span>(after <\/span>Palm <\/span>Su<\/span>nda<\/span>y<\/span>) <\/span>to <\/span>Satu<\/span>rday<\/span>. During <\/span>this <\/span>week, <\/span>the <\/span>spirit <\/span>of devotion <\/span>rises <\/span>to <\/span>a <\/span>clim<\/span>ax; <\/span>the <\/span>absten<\/span>tions become <\/span>more <\/span>firm <\/span>and <\/span>worship, <\/span>charity <\/span>and <\/span>other <\/span>religious activities <\/span>take <\/span>on <\/span>a m<\/span>o<\/span>re <\/span>so<\/span>le<\/span>m<\/span>n <\/span>feature.<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

The <\/span>church <\/span>established this <\/span>week <\/span>by <\/span>which <\/span>all <\/span>th<\/span>e <\/span>faithful <\/span>re-lived <\/span>and <\/span>received <\/span>graces <\/span>from <\/span>th<\/span>e fundam<\/span>ental <\/span>m<\/span>y<\/span>steries <\/span>of <\/span>redem<\/span>p<\/span>tion. <\/span>During <\/span>this <\/span>week, <\/span>the <\/span>faithful <\/span>are <\/span>exp<\/span>ected <\/span>to <\/span>bow <\/span>down <\/span>as m<\/span>u<\/span>ch <\/span>as <\/span>they <\/span>can. <\/span>As <\/span>a <\/span>rule, <\/span>all <\/span>faithful <\/span>begin <\/span>pros<\/span>tration on <\/span>Monday<\/span>. <\/span>This <\/span>is <\/span>to <\/span>comme<\/span>m<\/span>or<\/span>at<\/span>e <\/span>Jesus<\/span>‘ frequent <\/span>bowing <\/span>down <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>dawn <\/span>of <\/span>Thursday <\/span>be<\/span>fore <\/span>the <\/span>prosecutors <\/span>seized <\/span>Him<\/span>. <\/span>(Mt. <\/span>26 :<\/span> <\/span>39).<\/span> <\/p>\n

In <\/span>this <\/span>week, <\/span>faithful <\/span>are <\/span>also <\/span>e<\/span>xpected <\/span>to <\/span>pra<\/span>y <\/span>m<\/span>uc<\/span>h <\/span>to <\/span>comme<\/span>m<\/span>or<\/span>ate Je<\/span>sus<\/span>‘ <\/span>extensive <\/span>pray<\/span>ers <\/span>at Gethse<\/span>mane <\/span>before <\/span>He <\/span>was captured. <\/span>G<\/i>∂<\/span>brä H<\/i>∂<\/span>mamat, <\/span><\/i>a <\/span>book <\/span>whic<\/span>h <\/span>is <\/span>com<\/span>pose<\/span>d <\/span>of <\/span>different <\/span>passages taken <\/span>fro<\/span>m <\/span>th<\/span>e <\/span>scriptures and <\/span>other <\/span>religious <\/span>books <\/span>dealing <\/span>with <\/span>th<\/span>e <\/span>passion <\/span>an<\/span>d <\/span>death <\/span>of <\/span>our <\/span>Lord, <\/span>is also <\/span>read <\/span>as <\/span>a <\/span>special <\/span>featu<\/span>re <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>devotion <\/span>of <\/span>this week. The <\/span>priests <\/span>usually <\/span>read <\/span>all <\/span>passa<\/span>ges <\/span>relate<\/span>d to <\/span>Jesus’ <\/span>life <\/span>i<\/span>n <\/span>flesh <\/span>and all <\/span>the passions H<\/span>e <\/span>receive<\/span>d <\/span>to <\/span>emancipate <\/span>man <\/span>fro<\/span>m <\/span>the colony <\/span>of <\/span>Satan. <\/span>The sty<\/span>le <\/span>of <\/span>reading <\/span>from <\/span>the <\/span>Bible <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>G<\/i>∂<\/span>brä H<\/span><\/i>∂<\/span>ma<\/span>mat <\/span><\/i>is <\/span>a <\/span>m<\/span>u<\/span>si<\/span>cal <\/span>expressio<\/span>n <\/span>of <\/span>sorrow.<\/span> <\/p>\n

Since <\/span>this <\/span>week <\/span>is <\/span>a <\/span>ti<\/span>me <\/span>on which <\/span>faithful <\/span>of the church <\/span>co<\/span>mme<\/span>morate <\/span>the <\/span>suffering <\/span>and <\/span>da<\/span>m<\/span>n<\/span>ation <\/span>of the <\/span>5500 <\/span>y<\/span>ea<\/span>rs, <\/span>absolution <\/span>to <\/span>persons <\/span>who <\/span>die <\/span>duri<\/span>ng <\/span>this <\/span>week <\/span>is <\/span>prohibited<\/span>. <\/span>Those <\/span>who <\/span>died this week may <\/span>si<\/span>m<\/span>p<\/span>ly <\/span>be <\/span>buried <\/span>and <\/span>then <\/span>given <\/span>absolution <\/span>wh<\/span>en <\/span>Passion <\/span>Week <\/span>is <\/span>over<\/span>. <\/span>However, <\/span>a<\/span>ccording <\/span>to the <\/span>canon of <\/span>t<\/span>h<\/span>e <\/span>church, <\/span>ab<\/span>solution <\/span>is <\/span>also <\/span>gi<\/span>ven <\/span>in <\/span>ad<\/span>vance <\/span>on <\/span>t<\/span>h<\/span>e <\/span>previous <\/span>Sun<\/span>d<\/span>ay<\/span>, <\/span>the <\/span>Palm Sunda<\/span>y in <\/span>case <\/span>any <\/span>one <\/span>dies <\/span>in <\/span>week <\/span>of <\/span>passion. <\/span>Furtherm<\/span>ore<\/span>, no <\/span>baptisms <\/span>or <\/span>celebrations of <\/span>saints’ <\/span>day<\/span>s <\/span>are carried <\/span>out <\/span>du<\/span>ring <\/span>this <\/span>week.<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n

For <\/span>the <\/span>sam<\/span>e <\/span>reason, <\/span>priests <\/span>do <\/span>not <\/span>give <\/span>blessings <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>faithful<\/span>; <\/span>and <\/span>faithful <\/span>cannot <\/span>kiss <\/span>the <\/span>Hol<\/span>y Cross <\/span>during the <\/span>week <\/span>of <\/span>Passion. Greetings among <\/b>the fellowship are also suspended for the week to remember that Judas betrayed the Lord after he kissed Him.<\/span> The <\/span>priests <\/span>start <\/span>blessing <\/span>their <\/span>children <\/span>by <\/span>the <\/span>cross <\/span>at <\/span>the <\/span>dawn <\/span>of <\/span>Friday <\/span>when, <\/span>a<\/span>ccording to <\/span>the <\/span>teaching <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Chur<\/span>ch, <\/span>Jesus <\/span>liberated <\/span>Adam <\/span>who <\/span>has <\/span>been <\/span>under <\/span>the <\/span>yoke <\/span>of <\/span>Devil <\/span>in <\/span>Hell.<\/span> <\/p>\n

Maundy <\/span>Thursday <\/span>(<\/span><\/i><\/b>xÄM <\/span>\/ÑS<\/span><\/span>; <\/span>Adam <\/span>Hamus): <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b>Maundy  Thursda<\/span>y <\/span>marks <\/span>the <\/span>borderline between the <\/span>first <\/span>half <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Week <\/span>of <\/span>Passion <\/span>and <\/span>its <\/span>final <\/span>cli<\/span>m<\/span>a<\/span>x <\/span>which <\/span>lasts <\/span>up <\/span>to <\/span>cock <\/span>– <\/span>crow <\/span>on Saturday. <\/span>Hence, <\/span>Holy <\/span>Communion is <\/span>delivered <\/span>on <\/span>this <\/span>day <\/span>since <\/span>it <\/span>was <\/span>on <\/span>this <\/span>day<\/span>. <\/span>(Mt. <\/span>26<\/span>: 26-28). On <\/span>this <\/span>da<\/span>y<\/span>, <\/span>before <\/span>the <\/span>Liturgy <\/span>service, the <\/span>priest <\/span>brings <\/span>water <\/span>in <\/span>a <\/span>basin <\/span>and <\/span>washes the <\/span>fe<\/span>et <\/span>of <\/span>the faithful <\/span>say<\/span>in<\/span>g <\/span>the <\/span>pray<\/span>er <\/span>of <\/span>thanksgi<\/span>ving. <\/span>This <\/span>is <\/span>to <\/span>co<\/span>mmemorate <\/span>what <\/span>Jesus <\/span>has <\/span>done <\/span>to <\/span>His Apostles <\/span>(John <\/span>13:<\/span>1-2<\/span>0<\/span>).<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

Back <\/span>home, <\/span>the <\/span>faithful <\/span>unusually, <\/span>eat <\/span>split <\/span>beans <\/span>and <\/span>wheat <\/span>cooked <\/span>together known as <\/span>gulba<\/span>n<\/i>. <\/span>There are <\/span>different <\/span>explanations <\/span>why <\/span>t<\/span>h<\/span>e<\/span>y <\/span>eat <\/span>this special <\/span>food: It is to remember that Israelites eaten unleavened bread during their Exodus from Egyptian bondage. Since the children of Israel left Egypt hastily, they did not have time for the bread to rise, so it was made on that very first Passover without leaven. In the Bible, leaven is almost always symbolic of sin. <\/span>Some said, gulb<\/span>a<\/span>n <\/span><\/i>is <\/span>eaten <\/span>in <\/span>order <\/span>to <\/span>m<\/span>ourn for <\/span>Je<\/span>sus.  <\/span>This <\/span>is <\/span>in <\/span>keeping the Ethiopian <\/span>custo<\/span>m <\/span>of <\/span>preparing <\/span>a <\/span>ty<\/span>p<\/span>e <\/span>of <\/span>food made <\/span>of <\/span>split <\/span>beans <\/span>called <\/span>n<\/span><\/i>∂<\/span>fro <\/span><\/i>when <\/span>people <\/span>die.<\/span> <\/p>\n

Good <\/span>Friday <\/span>(<\/span><\/i><\/b>SQlT<\/span>; <\/span>S<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b>∂<\/span>k<\/span><\/i><\/b>l<\/span><\/i><\/b>ä<\/span><\/i><\/b>t<\/span><\/i><\/b>)<\/span><\/i><\/b>:  <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b>T<\/span>h<\/span>e <\/span>next <\/span>da<\/span>y <\/span>is <\/span>G<\/span>ood <\/span>Fri<\/span>d<\/span>a<\/span>y <\/span>o<\/span>n <\/span>which <\/span>th<\/span>ou<\/span>sands <\/span>of <\/span>believers <\/span>are expected <\/span>to <\/span>attend <\/span>the <\/span>sole<\/span>m<\/span>n <\/span>church <\/span>se<\/span>rvice <\/span>in <\/span>their <\/span>respective <\/span>pa<\/span>rishes. <\/span>This <\/span>day <\/span>is <\/span>decidedly <\/span>a <\/span>da<\/span>y of <\/span>prostration for <\/span>everybody. <\/span>There <\/span>is <\/span>a <\/span>sense <\/span>of <\/span>sorrow <\/span>and <\/span>desol<\/span>ation. <\/span>All <\/span>the <\/span>sy<\/span>m<\/span>bols, <\/span>images <\/span>and instruments used <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>pa<\/span>ssion <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>savior <\/span>are <\/span>pu<\/span>blicl<\/span>y <\/span>exhibit<\/span>ed <\/span>covered <\/span>in <\/span>black <\/span>curtain <\/span>in <\/span>the church. <\/span>For exa<\/span>m<\/span>ple, <\/span>priests <\/span>who <\/span>lead <\/span>the ritual <\/span>w<\/span>ear <\/span>black <\/span>vestm<\/span>e<\/span>nts. <\/span>All sacre<\/span>d <\/span>objects <\/span>including <\/span>the altar <\/span>is <\/span>also <\/span>c<\/span>overed <\/span>with <\/span>a <\/span>black <\/span>cloth. <\/span>This <\/span>is <\/span>to <\/span>re<\/span>me<\/span>m<\/span>b<\/span>er <\/span>the <\/span>dark <\/span>centuries <\/span>during <\/span>which <\/span>Ada<\/span>m was <\/span>alienate<\/span>d <\/span>from <\/span>his <\/span>C<\/span>reator. The <\/span>priests <\/span>perfu<\/span>me the <\/span>church <\/span>not <\/span>with <\/span>inc<\/span>ense <\/span>but <\/span>with <\/span>m<\/span>y<\/span>rrh<\/span>. According <\/span>to <\/span>the Church’s <\/span>t<\/span>eaching, <\/span>the <\/span>m<\/span>y<\/span>rrh <\/span>sy<\/span>m<\/span>bo<\/span>lizes <\/span>the <\/span>deat<\/span>h <\/span>of <\/span>Jesus. <\/span>Th<\/span>is <\/span>is <\/span>justifie<\/span>d <\/span>fro<\/span>m <\/span>th<\/span>e say<\/span>ing <\/span>of <\/span>St. <\/span>Ephraim<\/span>, <\/span>the <\/span>Sy<\/span>rian:<\/span> <\/span>x<\/span>M{x<\/span># :<\/span>È<\/span>n <\/span>k<\/span>m <\/span>x<\/span>M§K <\/span>W:t$ <\/span>wRq <\/span>XSm <\/span>Ng<\/span>#| <\/span>WXt$ $ <\/span>wkRb@ <\/span>zYTwhB lät$ <\/span><\/span>;<\/span> <\/span>bring <\/span>incense <\/span>for <\/span>He <\/span>is <\/span>God, <\/span>gol<\/span>d <\/span>for <\/span>He <\/span>is King <\/span>and <\/span>m<\/span>y<\/span>r<\/span>rh <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>dea<\/span>th <\/span>He <\/span>receives´<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

Men <\/span>and <\/span>women <\/span>go <\/span>to <\/span>church <\/span>to <\/span>prostr<\/span>ate <\/span>themsel<\/span>ves, remaining <\/span>there <\/span>fro<\/span>m <\/span>early <\/span>m<\/span>o<\/span>rning <\/span>until <\/span>5-6 p.m<\/span>.  <\/span>the hour<\/span>  <\/span>of  <\/span>the  <\/span>death  <\/span>of  <\/span>Jesus  <\/span>Christ.  Good Friday<\/span> therefore<\/span>, <\/span>is a<\/span> special<\/span> day<\/span>  <\/span>for confession.<\/span> <\/p>\n

Good  <\/span>Frida<\/span>y  <\/span>is  <\/span>the  <\/span>day  <\/span>when  <\/span>faithful  <\/span>sorely  <\/span>re<\/span>mem<\/span>b<\/span>er  the  <\/span>passion  <\/span>Jesus  <\/span>received  <\/span>to  <\/span>redee<\/span>m hum<\/span>ankind. This <\/span>is <\/span>so <\/span>n<\/span>o<\/span>t <\/span>onl<\/span>y <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>elderly <\/span>ones <\/span>but <\/span>t<\/span>o <\/span>the <\/span>chi<\/span>ldren <\/span>also. <\/span>B<\/span>efore <\/span>elders <\/span>go <\/span>to <\/span>their parishes <\/span>to <\/span>participate in <\/span>the <\/span>office, <\/span>young <\/span>boy<\/span>s <\/span>an<\/span>d <\/span>girls <\/span>go <\/span>r<\/span>ound, <\/span>and <\/span>knocki<\/span>ng <\/span>at <\/span>the <\/span>door <\/span>of <\/span>each house <\/span>demand <\/span>food <\/span>calling <\/span>out:<\/span> <\/p>\n

¸š¸ë<\/span> <\/span>…<\/span> <\/span>¸š¸ë<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

XGz!xB\/@R<\/span><\/a><\/span> <\/span>xBZè <\/span>YSÈCh# <\/span>kkBt$½<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n

yL<\/span>J <\/span>br<\/span>kt$<\/span>NM <\/span>ÃB²§C<\/span>h<\/span>#¿<\/o:p><\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

ytw<\/span>l<\/span>ÇT<\/span>M b-@<\/span><\/a><\/span>Â<\/span><\/a><\/span> <\/span>Ydg<\/span>#<\/span>§C<\/span>h#<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

¸š¸ë<\/span> <\/span>…<\/span> <\/span>¸š¸ë<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

mÈN<\/span> <\/span>m<\/span>ÈN<\/span> <\/span>lKRSèS<\/span> <\/span>SQlT<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

¼s@èC<\/span><\/a><\/span> <\/span>h#l#¼ <\/span>Ñl# <\/span>bÇ<\/span>q&T <\/span>Xí<\/span>ÒCN<\/span>N XNd <\/span>q$N<\/span>Å <\/span>xÃl@ <\/span>nN<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

¸š¸ë <\/span>… <\/span>¸š¸ë<\/o:p><\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

ysb# <\/span>kB<\/span>èC <\/span>XGz!xB\/<\/span><\/a><\/span>@<\/span><\/a>R <\/span>YS<\/span>ÈC<\/span>h# LíCNM <\/span>b¥<\/span>?iÂC<\/span>h# <\/span>S-#N<\/span> <\/span>Sõ<\/span>¬<\/span>Ch#NÝÝ<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

Mishamisho <\/span>… <\/span>mishamisho…<\/i><\/o:p><\/span> <\/p>\n

 May <\/span>God <\/span>give <\/span>you <\/span>cattle <\/span>in <\/span>your <\/span>yard, and <\/span>chil<\/span>dren <\/span>to <\/span>your <\/span>boso<\/span>m;<\/i><\/span> <\/p>\n

and <\/span>may <\/span>th<\/span>ose <\/span>you <\/span>have <\/span>al<\/span>ready <\/span>grow <\/span>up <\/span>in <\/span>heal<\/span>th <\/span>an<\/span>d <\/span>strength<\/i><\/o:p><\/span> <\/p>\n

 Mishamisho <\/span>… <\/span>mishamisho…<\/i><\/span> <\/p>\n

 We <\/span>come <\/span>for <\/span>your <\/span>crucifixi<\/span>on <\/span>(Oh <\/span>Christ) Fill (our <\/span>hands) <\/span>with <\/span>flour <\/span>(ye <\/span>women)<\/i><\/span> <\/p>\n

W<\/span><\/i>e <\/span>are <\/span>many <\/span>as <\/span>fleas Mishamisho <\/span>… <\/span>mishamisho… May <\/span>He <\/span>(God) <\/span>give <\/span>ye fat <\/span>cattle Children <\/span>in <\/span>y<\/span>our <\/span>womb<\/i><\/o:p><\/span> <\/p>\n

Give <\/span>us <\/span>gifts.<\/i><\/o:p><\/span> <\/p>\n

 Since <\/span>the <\/span>rationale behind the <\/span>M<\/span>isha <\/span>M<\/span>i<\/span>sho <\/span><\/i>food <\/span>is <\/span>to <\/span>m<\/span>ourn <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>cruc<\/span>ified Jesus, <\/span>faithful <\/span>give <\/span>the children different kinds <\/span>of <\/span>food  <\/span>li<\/span>ke <\/span>freshly <\/span>– `<\/span>ba<\/span>ked <\/span>bread, <\/span>powder, pepper, <\/span>salt, <\/span>onio<\/span>n<\/span>s, <\/span>beer, <\/span>mead, bear, <\/span>cookery, <\/span>etc. <\/span>After <\/span>they <\/span>have <\/span>go<\/span>ne <\/span>their <\/span>roun<\/span>ds, <\/span>the<\/span>y <\/span>take <\/span>the <\/span>collected <\/span>food, <\/span>an<\/span>d, <\/span>retiring <\/span>to so<\/span>m<\/span>e <\/span>corner <\/span>of <\/span>their <\/span>village, <\/span>eat <\/span>and <\/span>am<\/span>u<\/span>se <\/span>themsel<\/span>ves. Then, <\/span>to <\/span>sy<\/span>m<\/span>bolize <\/span>the <\/span>m<\/span>ourn <\/span>to <\/span>Jesus, <\/span>they make <\/span>a <\/span>sham <\/span>corpse <\/span>of <\/span>a <\/span>bundle <\/span>of <\/span>clothes, <\/span>and <\/span>pla<\/span>cing <\/span>it <\/span>on <\/span>a <\/span>couch, <\/span>carr<\/span>y <\/span>it <\/span>in <\/span>pr<\/span>ocession <\/span>through the <\/span>village; <\/span>part <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>boys <\/span>dressed <\/span>up <\/span>as <\/span>priests, <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>rem<\/span>ain<\/span>ders as <\/span>m<\/span>ourners. As <\/span>they <\/span>go <\/span>along, im<\/span>itating <\/span>in <\/span>e<\/span>v<\/span>ery <\/span>poi<\/span>nt <\/span>a <\/span>real <\/span>funeral, <\/span>they <\/span>wail <\/span>and <\/span>cry <\/span>out <\/span>”<\/span>Wai, <\/span>wai, <\/span>wai… <\/span>.” <\/span>And <\/span>when <\/span>they <\/span>are tired <\/span>of <\/span>walking <\/span>about <\/span>the<\/span>y <\/span>g<\/span>o <\/span>and <\/span>make <\/span>a <\/span>grave <\/span>near <\/span>so<\/span>me <\/span>of <\/span>th<\/span>e <\/span>m<\/span>o<\/span>st <\/span>frequ<\/span>ented <\/span>thorou<\/span>ghfares <\/span>in <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>place<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>bury<\/span> <\/span>it<\/span> <\/span>which<\/span> <\/span>clearly<\/span> <\/span>r<\/span>e<\/span>mind<\/span> <\/span>how<\/span> <\/span>Joseph<\/span> <\/span>took<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>body<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>Jesus<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>bury<\/span> <\/span>it.<\/span> <\/span>The<\/span> <\/span>whole of<\/span> <\/span>this<\/span> <\/span>perfo<\/span>r<\/span>mance<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>children<\/span> <\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>imitated<\/span> <\/span>from<\/span> <\/span>t<\/span>h<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>Bible. This dramatic interpretation of Bible shows that how the Ethiopian faithful live life to the full in practice as Christ since their childhood.<\/span> <\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

 Although<\/span> <\/span>chi<\/span>l<\/span>dren<\/span> <\/span>pass<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span>i<\/span>r<\/span> <\/span>day<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>Good<\/span> <\/span>Friday<\/span> <\/span>enj<\/span>o<\/span>y<\/span>i<\/span>ng<\/span> <\/span>with<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>collected<\/span> <\/span>food<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>y<\/span>m<\/span>bolically<\/span> <\/span>for Jesus,<\/span> <\/span>m<\/span>o<\/span>re<\/span> <\/span>r<\/span>igid<\/span> <\/span>form<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>fasting<\/span> <\/span>continues to<\/span> <\/span>m<\/span>o<\/span>st<\/span> <\/span>o<\/span>f<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>elders<\/span> <\/span>until<\/span> <\/span>ti<\/span>m<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>cockcrow on<\/span> <\/span>Saturday night. During<\/span> <\/span>these three<\/span> <\/span>da<\/span>y<\/span>s, priests<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>elders<\/span> <\/span>n<\/span>e<\/span>ither<\/span> <\/span>eat<\/span> <\/span>br<\/span>e<\/span>ad<\/span> <\/span>nor<\/span> <\/span>drink<\/span> <\/span>water, but<\/span> <\/span>remain<\/span> <\/span>in<\/span> <\/span>the churches<\/span> <\/span>singing<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>pr<\/span>a<\/span>y<\/span>i<\/span>ng incessantly<\/span> <\/span>bo<\/span>t<\/span>h<\/span> <\/span>d<\/span>a<\/span>y<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>n<\/span>i<\/span>ght.<\/span> <\/span>This<\/span> <\/span>form<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>sole<\/span>m<\/span>n<\/span> f<\/span>asting is<\/span> <\/span>known as "<\/span>Akfelot<\/i>."<\/span> <\/span>The<\/span> <\/span>faithful<\/span> <\/span>do<\/span> <\/span>this<\/span> <\/span>in<\/span> <\/span>accordance<\/span> <\/span>with<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>tradition<\/span> <\/span>which<\/span> <\/span>holds<\/span> <\/span>that<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>Apostles<\/span> <\/span>did<\/span> <\/span>not eat<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>drink<\/span> <\/span>until<\/span> <\/span>th<\/span>e<\/span>y<\/span> <\/span>knew<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>resurrection<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>t<\/span>h<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>Lord.<\/span> <\/span>T<\/span>h<\/span>ose<\/span> <\/span>Christians<\/span> <\/span>who<\/span> <\/span>have<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>strength to<\/span> <\/span>abstain<\/span> <\/span>from<\/span> <\/span>every<\/span> <\/span>kind<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>food<\/span> <\/span>for<\/span> <\/span>t<\/span>wo<\/span> <\/span>da<\/span>y<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>can<\/span> <\/span>fast<\/span> <\/span>on<\/span> <\/span>both<\/span> <\/span>Friday<\/span> <\/span>a<\/span>n<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>Saturda<\/span>y<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Ho<\/span>w<\/span>ever,<\/span> <\/span>those are<\/span> <\/span>not<\/span> <\/span>that<\/span> <\/span>much<\/span> <\/span>strong<\/span> <\/span>f<\/span>a<\/span>st<\/span> <\/span>on<\/span> <\/span>Saturd<\/span>a<\/span>y<\/span> <\/span>on<\/span>l<\/span>y.<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

 <\/span>Holy Saturd<\/span>ay (<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b>ቀ<\/span>ÄM <\/span><\/span>ሥ<\/span>;#R<\/span>; <\/span>k<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b>∂<\/span>dame <\/span>S<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b>∂<\/span>‘ur <\/span>) : <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b>The  <\/span>seventh  <\/span>day  <\/span>of  <\/span>the  <\/span>Passion  <\/span>Week (Saturday)  <\/span>is known <\/span>as <\/span>k<\/i><\/span>∂<\/span>dame <\/span>S<\/span><\/i>∂<\/span>‘u<\/span><\/i>r <\/span><\/i>meaning <\/span>uno<\/span>bserved. <\/span>It <\/span>is <\/span>called <\/span>so <\/span>be<\/span>cause <\/span>unlike <\/span>other <\/span>Saturday<\/span>s <\/span>of <\/span>the y<\/span>ear, <\/span>it <\/span>becomes <\/span>a <\/span>fasting <\/span>day<\/span>. <\/span>It is also <\/span>called <\/span>Green <\/span>Saturda<\/span>y <\/span>fo<\/span>r <\/span>on this <\/span>da<\/span>y t<\/span>h<\/span>e <\/span>sedge <\/span>is <\/span>given <\/span>to the people <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>sy<\/span>m<\/span>bol <\/span>of <\/span>good <\/span>news. <\/span>At <\/span>earliest <\/span>dawn <\/span>Saturday <\/span>m<\/span>o<\/span>rning, <\/span>about <\/span>5:3<\/span>0<\/span>, <\/span>priests <\/span>an<\/span>d deacons <\/span>put <\/span>on <\/span>their <\/span>best <\/span>garm<\/span>ents, including ‘<\/span>ka<\/span>pa’ <\/span><\/i>(cape) <\/span>a<\/span>nd <\/span>‘läm<\/span>id’<\/span>, <\/span>carry <\/span>their <\/span>colorful <\/span>sun um<\/span>brell<\/span>as <\/span>as <\/span>if <\/span>in <\/span>processi<\/span>on, <\/span>and <\/span>pass through <\/span>the <\/span>streets <\/span>with par<\/span>ade <\/span>cross, bel<\/span>l, and arm<\/span>ful <\/span>of <\/span>y<\/span>ellow <\/span>– <\/span>green <\/span>palm <\/span>strips <\/span>called <\/span>‘<\/span>qetema<\/span><\/i>’<\/span>. <\/span>The<\/span>y <\/span>stop <\/span>before <\/span>every <\/span>house, <\/span>ringing <\/span>the <\/span>bell and <\/span>singin<\/span>g <\/span>o<\/span>ut <\/span>the <\/span>foll<\/span>owing:<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

                    <\/span>KRSèS <\/span>tmrmr<\/span>፣<\/span> <\/span><\/span>Ä!ÃBlÖS <\/span>¬<\/span>\\r <\/span>፣ <\/span>bmSql#<\/span>M <\/span>s§MN <\/span>xd<\/span>r<\/span>g<\/span>፡፡<\/span> <\/p>\n

J<\/span>esus <\/span>Christ <\/span>has <\/span>been <\/span>challenged<\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/i> <\/p>\n

The <\/span>Devil <\/span>is <\/span>chained,<\/i><\/o:p><\/span> <\/p>\n

He <\/span>made <\/span>reconciliation <\/span>by H<\/span>is <\/span>crucifixion. <\/i><\/o:p><\/span> <\/p>\n

The<\/span> <\/span>sleepy<\/span> <\/span>o<\/span>wner<\/span> <\/span>answering <\/span>t<\/span>h<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>call<\/span> <\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>given<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>r<\/span>e<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>to<\/span> <\/span>wi<\/span>n<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>f<\/span>l<\/span>at<\/span> <\/span>around<\/span> <\/span>his<\/span> <\/span>fore<\/span> <\/span>head,<\/span> <\/span>a<\/span>nd<\/span> <\/span>he<\/span> <\/span>will wear<\/span> <\/span>it<\/span> <\/span>all<\/span> <\/span>day.<\/span> <\/span>And<\/span> <\/span>in<\/span> <\/span>appreciation of<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>good<\/span> <\/span>n<\/span>e<\/span>ws,<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>head<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>house<\/span> <\/span>gives<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>priest<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>o<\/span>me <\/span>m<\/span>one<\/span>y<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>receives<\/span> <\/span>a <\/span>blessing<\/span> <\/span>in return.<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

The sedge is used as a sign of good news based on the story of Noah and his dove that sent to   see if the flood had subsided. The dove returned with an olive leaf and knowing that the water had abated. Accordingly, since the leaf of the olive tree served as a sign of good news during Noah’s time, the Church also presents sedge to the laity to herald the good news that the waters of destructive sin and the punishment of soul are removed from mankind through the death of Christ. <\/o:p><\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

 On <\/span>the <\/span>night <\/span>before <\/span>Easter<\/span>, <\/span>m<\/span>any <\/span>go <\/span>to <\/span>church <\/span>and <\/span>pass <\/span>the <\/span>night <\/span>making pray<\/span>e<\/span>rs. <\/span>The <\/span>night <\/span>wear<\/span>s <\/span>on acco<\/span>m<\/span>p<\/span>anied by <\/span>pra<\/span>y<\/span>ers <\/span>and <\/span>Hy<\/span>m<\/span>n<\/span>s, <\/span>and <\/span>someti<\/span>m<\/span>e<\/span>s <\/span>after <\/span>m<\/span>idni<\/span>ght, <\/span>everybody <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>k<\/i><\/span>∂<\/span>ne <\/span>mahlet <\/span><\/i>is <\/span>given <\/span>a <\/span>li<\/span>ght<\/span>ed <\/span>candle <\/span>which <\/span>he <\/span>carries <\/span>during <\/span>the <\/span>three <\/span>joy<\/span>ous <\/span>circuits <\/span>around <\/span>the <\/span>mäkdäs<\/span><\/i>. <\/span>Cock- crow <\/span>marks <\/span>the <\/span>end <\/span>of <\/span>devotions <\/span>at <\/span>ch<\/span>urch <\/span>when <\/span>the <\/span>resurrection <\/span>is <\/span>loudl<\/span>y <\/span>de<\/span>clared <\/span>amidst <\/span>shouting and <\/span>ringing of <\/span>bells. <\/span>Then <\/span>people <\/span>rush, <\/span>out <\/span>of <\/span>th<\/span>e <\/span>sm<\/span>oky<\/span>, incense filled <\/span>church, hom<\/span>e <\/span>with <\/span>m<\/span>ouths watering <\/span>at <\/span>the <\/span>prospect <\/span>o<\/span>f <\/span>sum<\/span>p<\/span>tuous <\/span>meals. <\/span>For <\/span>p<\/span>eople <\/span>who <\/span>have <\/span>been <\/span>fasting <\/span>t<\/span>h<\/span>e <\/span>akf<\/i><\/span>∂<\/span>lot<\/i>, special item<\/span>s <\/span>of <\/span>food <\/span>known <\/span>as <\/span>calka<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>a <\/span>drink <\/span>co<\/span>m<\/span>posed <\/span>of <\/span>linseed <\/span>and <\/span>hone<\/span>y <\/span>m<\/span>ixed <\/span>with <\/span>wat<\/span>er, <\/span>milk <\/span>and <\/span>curdled<\/span> <\/span>m<\/span>ilk<\/span> <\/span>are<\/span> <\/span>served<\/span> <\/span>at<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>main<\/span> <\/span>get<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>ch<\/span>u<\/span>rch.<\/span> <\/span>The<\/span> <\/span>purpose<\/span> <\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>to<\/span> <\/span>sa<\/span>ke<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>tired<\/span> <\/span>people<\/span> <\/span>the dangers<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>eating<\/span> <\/span>stro<\/span>n<\/span>g<\/span> <\/span>f<\/span>o<\/span>od<\/span> <\/span>immediately<\/span> <\/span>after<\/span> <\/span>such<\/span> <\/span>a long<\/span> <\/span>peri<\/span>o<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>total absti<\/span>n<\/span>ence.<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

 <\/span>Easter <\/span>(<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b>Ís!µ<\/span>; <\/span>Fasika): <\/span><\/i><\/b>Easter <\/span>occupi<\/span>es <\/span>a <\/span>spe<\/span>cial <\/span>p<\/span>lace <\/span>of <\/span>i<\/span>m<\/span>por<\/span>tance <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>Christian world. <\/span>Easter marks, <\/span>for <\/span>Christians <\/span>the <\/span>world <\/span>over, <\/span>the <\/span>Resurr<\/span>ecti<\/span>on of <\/span>Christ, <\/span>for <\/span>it <\/span>was <\/span>on <\/span>this <\/span>day <\/span>that <\/span>"Christ <\/span>the Lord <\/span>is <\/span>risen". <\/span>Sy<\/span>m<\/span>bolically<\/span>, Easter <\/span>connotes <\/span>the <\/span>r<\/span>e<\/span>turn <\/span>of <\/span>life, <\/span>light <\/span>and <\/span>spri<\/span>ng <\/span>after <\/span>darkness <\/span>and death.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

 The<\/span> <\/span>Easter<\/span> <\/span>F<\/span>estival<\/span> <\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>g<\/span>r<\/span>eat<\/span> <\/span>Christ<\/span>i<\/span>an<\/span> <\/span>feast<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>l<\/span>i<\/span>turgical<\/span> <\/span>y<\/span>ear<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>Ethiopia<\/span> <\/span>that<\/span> <\/span>it<\/span> <\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>celeb<\/span>r<\/span>ated with special<\/span> <\/span>solemni<\/span>t<\/span>y<\/span>. <\/span>T<\/span>h<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>church<\/span> <\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>filled<\/span> <\/span>with<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>fr<\/span>a<\/span>g<\/span>r<\/span>ance<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>incense<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>m<\/span>y<\/span>riads<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>l<\/span>i<\/span>ghts.<\/span> <\/span>The<\/span> <\/span>clergy are<\/span> <\/span>arra<\/span>y<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>in<\/span> <\/span>their<\/span> <\/span>choicest ves<\/span>t<\/span>m<\/span>ents. All<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>p<\/span>e<\/span>ople<\/span> <\/span>hold<\/span> <\/span>light<\/span>e<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>tapers<\/span> <\/span>in<\/span> <\/span>their<\/span> <\/span>hands.<\/span> <\/span>Presents a<\/span>r<\/span>e exchanged,<\/span>  <\/span>dru<\/span>m<\/span>s <\/span> <\/span>are <\/span> <\/span>beaten, <\/span> <\/span>hands <\/span> <\/span>are <\/span> <\/span>clapp<\/span>e<\/span>d <\/span> <\/span>and <\/span> <\/span>the <\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>inging <\/span> <\/span>is <\/span> <\/span>heard <\/span> <\/span>ever<\/span>y<\/span>w<\/span>h<\/span>ere: <\/span> <\/span>"our Resurrection has<\/span> <\/span>c<\/span>o<\/span>m<\/span>e,<\/span> <\/span>Hosanna."<\/span> <\/span>Men<\/span> <\/span>are<\/span> <\/span>heard<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>a<\/span>y<\/span>i<\/span>n<\/span>g<\/span>"<\/span> <\/span>O<\/span> <\/span>Lo<\/span>r<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>Christ<\/span> <\/span>have<\/span> <\/span>m<\/span>ercy<\/span> <\/span>upon<\/span> <\/span>us."<\/span> <\/span>Th<\/span>e<\/span>y pray<\/span> <\/span>for<\/span> <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>blessing<\/span> <\/span>"O<\/span> <\/span>God<\/span> <\/span>m<\/span>ake<\/span> <\/span>it<\/span> <\/span>to<\/span> <\/span>b<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>festival<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>our<\/span> <\/span>good<\/span> <\/span>fo<\/span>r<\/span>tune<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>our<\/span> <\/span>wellbeing!<\/span> <\/span>Call<\/span> <\/span>us<\/span> <\/span>the people<\/span> <\/span>for<\/span> <\/span>next<\/span> <\/span>y<\/span>ear<\/span> <\/span>als<\/span>o<\/span>".<\/span> <\/span>Therefore, the<\/span> <\/span>whole<\/span> <\/span>day<\/span> <\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>one<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>spiritual<\/span> <\/span>a<\/span>n<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>ph<\/span>y<\/span>sical<\/span> <\/span>f<\/span>asting,<\/span> <\/span>a c<\/span>o<\/span>mm<\/span>e<\/span>m<\/span>o<\/span>rat<\/span>i<\/span>on<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>holiest<\/span> <\/span>oc<\/span>c<\/span>asion<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>all<\/span> <\/span>history<\/span> <\/span>–<\/span> <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>truly<\/span> <\/span>blessed<\/span> <\/span>t<\/span>i<\/span>m<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>when<\/span> <\/span>Christ<\/span> <\/span>rose<\/span> <\/span>f<\/span>rom<\/span> <\/span>t<\/span>h<\/span>e dead.<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

 In<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>m<\/span>o<\/span>rning,<\/span> <\/span>fa<\/span>m<\/span>ilies<\/span> <\/span>who<\/span> <\/span>could afford one<\/span> <\/span>slay<\/span> <\/span>sheep and<\/span> <\/span>in<\/span> <\/span>many<\/span> <\/span>cases they<\/span> <\/span>m<\/span>ay<\/span> <\/span>join to<\/span> <\/span>b<\/span>u<\/span>y<\/span> <\/span>an<\/span> <\/span>ox<\/span> <\/span>co-operatively,<\/span> <\/span>slaughter<\/span> <\/span>it,<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>then<\/span> <\/span>share<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>m<\/span>eat.<\/span> <\/span>With<\/span> <\/span>regained<\/span> <\/span>strength,<\/span> <\/span>fired<\/span> <\/span>b<\/span>y good<\/span> <\/span>fo<\/span>o<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>a<\/span>n<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>beer,<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>y<\/span>o<\/span>ung<\/span> <\/span>m<\/span>en<\/span> <\/span>beg<\/span>i<\/span>n<\/span> <\/span>ga<\/span>m<\/span>e<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>javelin<\/span> <\/span>th<\/span>r<\/span>o<\/span>wi<\/span>n<\/span>g<\/span>. Ball<\/span> <\/span>ga<\/span>m<\/span>es,<\/span> <\/span>Qenchebt <\/span><\/i>continues the<\/span> <\/span>entire<\/span> <\/span>following<\/span> <\/span>week.<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

 There<\/span> <\/span>are<\/span> <\/span>different<\/span> <\/span>forms<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>greetings,<\/span> <\/span>which<\/span> <\/span>a<\/span>r<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>commonly<\/span> <\/span>u<\/span>s<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>on<\/span> <\/span>Easter<\/span> <\/span>d<\/span>a<\/span>y<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>on<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>d<\/span>a<\/span>y<\/span>s following<\/span> <\/span>i<\/span>t<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>The<\/span> <\/span>following<\/span> <\/span>verses<\/span> <\/span>are<\/span> <\/span>w<\/span>h<\/span>at<\/span> <\/span>people<\/span> <\/span>exchange<\/span> <\/span>in<\/span> <\/span>d<\/span>i<\/span>alogue<\/span> <\/span>for<\/span>m<\/span>:<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span> <\/span>"<\/span>KRS<\/span><\/span>è<\/span>S<\/span><\/span> <\/span>t<\/span>N|x<\/span><\/span> <\/span>X<\/span>ѬN½ b;b!Y<\/span><\/span> <\/span>`<\/span>Y<\/span>L<\/span><\/span> <\/span>w|LÈN½ ;\\é<\/span><\/span> <\/span>l\\<\/span><\/span>Y<\/span>È<\/span>N½ xGxø<\/span><\/span> <\/span>lx<\/span><\/span>Ä<\/span>M½ s§M½ <\/span><\/span>XM<\/span><\/span>YXz@s<\/span><\/a>½<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>÷n½<\/span>FS\/ <\/span>ws§MÝÝ<\/span><\/span>"<\/span> <\/p>\n

 <\/span>Christ<\/span> <\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>risen<\/span> <\/span>from<\/span> <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>dead!<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

 By<\/span> t<\/span>h<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>Highest<\/span> <\/span>power<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>authori<\/span>t<\/span>y<\/span>! He<\/span> <\/span>chained<\/span> <\/span>‘<\/span>S<\/span>atan’!<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Freed <\/span>Ada<\/span>m<\/span>! <\/o:p><\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

Peace! <\/o:p><\/span> <\/p>\n

Henceforth! <\/o:p><\/span> <\/p>\n

 Joy<\/span> <\/span>and<\/span> <\/span>Peace<\/span> <\/span>Preva<\/span>i<\/span>l forever!<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

 <\/span>Once <\/span>Lent <\/span>is <\/span>over, <\/span>peop<\/span>le <\/span>are <\/span>allowed <\/span>to <\/span>eat <\/span>non<\/span>-fasting diets <\/span>ever <\/span>on <\/span>Wednesday<\/span>s and <\/span>Frida<\/span>y<\/span>s <\/span>until Ergät<\/i>, the <\/span>Feast <\/span>of <\/span>Hi<\/span>s <\/span>As<\/span>su<\/span>m<\/span>p<\/span>tion. <\/span>The <\/span>fifty <\/span>– <\/span>five <\/span>day<\/span>s <\/span>are <\/span>said <\/span>to <\/span>be <\/span> <\/span><\/span>b›l <\/span>\/Mœ<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>meaning <\/span>the <\/span>fea<\/span>st of <\/span>Pentecost. <\/span>These <\/span>day<\/span>s <\/span>ar<\/span>e <\/span>ushered wit<\/span>h <\/span>a <\/span>great <\/span>nu<\/span>mber <\/span>of <\/span>marriages. <\/span>No <\/span>doubt, this <\/span>is <\/span>a <\/span>per<\/span>iod of <\/span>a good <\/span>deal <\/span>of <\/span>pleasant <\/span>relax<\/span>ation.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

 <\/span>Source: <\/span>http:\/\/www.eotc-berlin.org\/files\/lent-easter.pdf<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/i> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

April 27, 2016 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b> <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

By Dr.  Mersha Alehegne<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b> <\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/b> <\/p>\n

Ethiopia, as the stronghold of the Apostolic Christian faith, can be regarded as an open air Christian museum. It is the only country where Christianity deposits its two thousand years of tradition and history where biblical teaching gets the truest application. A lot of religious pasts come alive in Ethiopia in the form of strange and beautiful movements and ruins, built living centuries ago, or in the form of the unalterable biblical traditions. <\/span> <\/div>\n

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