{"id":3974,"date":"2016-07-19T22:58:54","date_gmt":"2016-07-19T22:58:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/summer-through-the-lens-of-the-ethiopian-church\/"},"modified":"2016-07-19T22:58:54","modified_gmt":"2016-07-19T22:58:54","slug":"summer-through-the-lens-of-the-ethiopian-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/summer-through-the-lens-of-the-ethiopian-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer through the Lens of the Ethiopian Church"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kiremt (Summer) <\/span>is<\/span> the rainy season from 26 June to 25 September.<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

July 20, 2016<\/b><\/span><\/i> <\/p>\n

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

By Kassa Nigus<\/i><\/b><\/i><\/b><\/span> <\/div>\n

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church uses all seasons of the year and their peculiar features to illustrate its teachings in analogical and simple way. It seizes every moment and relates it to the lives of people so as to help them learn from the seasons and prepare themselves to be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven.<\/span> <\/p>\n

Biblical words related to rain and sowing are frequently read in the rainy\/summer season that we are in. Verses like “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalms 126:5) are recited in Holy Mass and other chants of our church. <\/span> <\/p>\n

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church likens the summer season to the life of Christianity. Just as the farmer endures the hardships of the rainy season (cold weather, mud, etc), the church also advises its children to be devout Christians even in the face of tribulations. It encourages them to remain steadfast saying “We shall be ready to accept the calamity upon us for the sake of the Kingdom of God; you shall be alert for prayer, fasting and repentance for the body shall be governed for the need of the soul”. The church cites the following biblical words to highlight its message:  <\/span> <\/p>\n

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalms 126:5-6)<\/span> <\/p>\n

“Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man.” (James 1:12-13). <\/span> <\/p>\n

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church categorizes the year into four seasons of three months. These are:<\/span> <\/p>\n

Matsaw (Autumn)<\/b>: the windy season from 26 September to 25 December2 <\/span> <\/p>\n

Hagay  ( Winter)<\/b>: the dry season from  26 December  to  25 March<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>Balg (Spring):<\/b> the sowing season (that of the light rains) from 26 March  to 25 June; and<\/span> <\/p>\n

Kiremt (Summer):<\/b> the rainy season from 26 June to 25 September<\/span> <\/p>\n

These four divisions are named after their peculiar features mentioned in the Psalms. Each of them is also divided into further sub-divisions. As we are in Ethiopia’s Kiremt (rainy) season, let’s see how this time of year is treated by the church.<\/span> <\/p>\n

A. From 25 June – 19 July<\/b>
<\/span>This period is known as ‘Seed’, ‘Cloud’ and ‘Summer’ based on its main features. During this season, the church recites biblical readings pertaining to seed and sowing. It draws analogies between the lives of Christians and farmland, and urges its children to bear fruit like the seed sown on good ground based on the following verses:<\/span> <\/p>\n

“And he spoke many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.” (Mathew 13:3-8);
<\/span>“For the earth which drinks in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God: But that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.”   (Hebrew 6:7-8)<\/span> <\/p>\n

B. From 19 July – 9 August<\/b>
<\/span>This period is characterized by lightning, high humidity and rainfall. The following verse is among the common readings for this time of year:<\/span> <\/p>\n

“The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightning lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.” (Psalms 77: 17-18)<\/span> <\/p>\n

The church also dubs this period Mahiber (fellowship) and uses the moment to narrate the deeds of the 72 disciples. The lightning and thunder are mentioned to illustrate the teachings of the disciples who were sent to enlighten the world with their preaching.<\/span> <\/p>\n

C. From 10 August – 29 August<\/b>
<\/span>This period comes halfway through the rainy season when the level of rainfall decreases and the   ground gets less moist. Ethiopians highlight in their sayings that this period almost signals the end of the rainy season. Birds which hid themselves in the warmth of their nests begin to re-emerge as the rain fades away. And as Solomon the Wise mentioned in his Song, this is a moment when the call of birds is heard: “The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.” (Song 2:12)<\/span> <\/p>\n

During this season, the church praises God with different recitals from Psalms:
<\/span>“Who gives food to all flesh: for His mercy endures forever. O gives thanks unto the God of heaven: for His mercy endures forever.” (Psalms 136:25-26)<\/span> <\/p>\n

“The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou gives them their meat in due season. Thou open thine hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” (Psalms 145:15-16)<\/span> <\/p>\n

During this period, the church also commemorates the passing away of three of the 22 prominent fathers3 who lived in the era of the Old Testament. The passing away of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is particularly remembered from 27 August to 29. Hence, this period is also named after Abraham, the most prominent of all the fathers.  The church also highlights Abraham’s obedience and the salvation of Isaac after he was taken to a mountain where he was to be sacrificed.  <\/span> <\/p>\n

D. From 29 August – 5 Pagumen4 (or 6 in a leap year)<\/b>
<\/span>This is the period when the year comes to a close. It is the season when dark clouds begin to recede and the sun resurfaces and shines in the sky. It is therefore termed as ‘Dawn’, ‘Daybreak’ and ‘Light’.  The initial verses of Psalm 50 constitute the readings and recitals for the period: “Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him.”<\/span> <\/p>\n

The miracle in which Archangel Rafael opened the eyes of Tobya who had been blind for some time is also part of the readings for the season. While recounting this story, the church also prays that God opens the eyes of His children and help them fulfil His will. <\/span> <\/p>\n

E.  From September 1 – 8<\/b>
<\/span>This is the beginning of the New Year for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church and the country at large. The day of the New Year is called Kidus Yohannes (St. John the Baptist). This is because St. John was the last prophet of the Old Testament and is considered a bridge between the Old and the New Testaments. He transferred the Gospel from the Old Testament to the New Testament and preached about the new life and salvation the world was to receive through Jesus Christ.<\/span> <\/p>\n

As this is a moment of transition from one year to another, the church narrates the story of John the Baptist who lived at a time when the world was ushered into the New Testament. St. John’s call for repentance is the main reading for the period: “Repent you: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand… Prepare you the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” (Mathew 3:1-3) Other readings for the season include:
<\/span>“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.” (Psalm 85:10-11)<\/span> <\/p>\n

“For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelling, banqueting, and abominable idolatries.”  (1 Peter 4:3)<\/span> <\/p>\n

F. From September 9 – 16<\/b>
<\/span>his period is known as ‘fruit’ because the seed that was sown during the rainy season begins to bear fruit. The following are among the verses read during this period.
<\/span>“Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.” (Psalm 67:6); 
<\/span>“But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.”(Mathew 24:20) <\/span> <\/p>\n

G. From September 17 – 26<\/b>
<\/span>This marks the end of the summer season according to the calendar system of the church.  The summer season extends even to the New Year because light showers linger almost for the entire first month of the year. <\/span> <\/p>\n

According to the tradition of the church, the true cross of Christ was also found in September by Queen Helena 300 years after it was buried by the Jews. Readings about the cross are recited during the season: 
<\/span>“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. That thy beloved may be delivered.” (Psalms 60: 4-5)<\/span> <\/p>\n

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”  (Colossians 2:14-15)<\/span> <\/p>\n

As explained above, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church always teaches its children drawing lessons from the different seasons of the year and nature in general.<\/span> <\/p>\n

It preaches that Christians should embrace repentance to be worthy of God’s Kingdom. Whether or not we heed the advice of the church and act accordingly remains to be answered by each of us. <\/span> <\/p>\n

Source:
<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/p>\n

    \n
  • ‘Hamer’ magazine (5th year, No. 2), 1989. PP. 6-7  <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/li>\n
  • The liturgical year of the Ethiopian church. Fr. Emmanuel Fritsch, cssp.      2001: 304-305<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/li>\n
  • In Ethiopia, summer is the rainy season when rainfall is at its heaviest and thunderstorms often occur. The period covers from 26 June to 25 September.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/li>\n
  • The Date is in Ethiopian calendar. <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/li>\n
  • The 22 prominent fathers of the Old Testament are: Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They are called prominent because Jesus Christ was in their lines of generation. (Gen. 5:1-32; 11:10-29)<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Pgumen is the thirteenth and last month in the Ethiopian calendar. It is the smallest month with only 5 days (or 6 in a leap year.)<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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

    Kiremt (Summer) <\/span>is<\/span> the rainy season from 26 June to 25 September.<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

    July 20, 2016<\/b><\/span><\/i> <\/p>\n

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

    By Kassa Nigus<\/i><\/b><\/i><\/b><\/span> <\/div>\n

    The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church uses all seasons of the year and their peculiar features to illustrate its teachings in analogical and simple way. It seizes every moment and relates it to the lives of people so as to help them learn from the seasons and prepare themselves to be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven.<\/span> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[74],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christian-living-and-doctrines"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3974"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3974"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3974\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}