🌴
Hosanna (Hosa'ina) is one of the major feasts in the Ethiopian
Orthodox Tewahedo Church, commemorating Jesus Christ’s triumphal
entry into Jerusalem.
🌴The
celebration of "Hosanna, Savior of the World" is primarily
observed on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, which commemorates
Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It marks the beginning
of Holy Week, transitioning from the joyful shouts of "Hosanna"
to the solemnity of the Passion.
♰
Significance of the Celebration
Meaning of
Hosanna: The term "Hosanna" is a Hebrew expression meaning
"save us now" or "please deliver us". While
originally a plea, it became a shout of praise and adoration,
acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah and Savior.
The
Triumphal Entry: Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey,
fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, which portrays a
righteous, victorious, yet humble king.
"Savior
of the World": The celebration highlights Jesus as the ultimate
deliverer not just from political oppression, but from sin and
death.
Palm
Branches: Waving palms represents victory, peace, and eternal life.
♰ Themes of
Reflection
Humility
vs. Pride: Jesus’ entrance on a humble donkey rather than a
warhorse symbolizes a kingdom based on peace and service rather than
power.
The
Fickleness of the Crowd: Palm Sunday highlights the irony that the
same crowd shouting "Hosanna" soon turned and cried for
his crucifixion, prompting self-reflection on faith and commitment.
A Call
for Current Salvation: Modern celebrations use "Hosanna"
as a continued prayer for salvation from modern challenges like
social conflict, war, and spiritual dryness.
Hosanna in Axum
is a vibrant Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Palm Sunday, occurring
the Sunday before Easter to mark Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. It
features massive, colorful processions, specifically at the St. Mary
of Zion Church, where followers wear palm leaf headbands and deacons
distribute palm branches.
🌴 Key
Aspects of the Celebration:
Location:
The celebration is famously observed at St. Mary of Zion Church in
Axum.
Traditions:
Participants wear rings and headbands made of palm leaves,
symbolizing the branches laid before Jesus.
Procession:
The event includes colorful, long-running processions filled with
chanting and joyous praise, typically in late March or April.
Significance:
It serves as the start of Holy Week, with pilgrims and locals
gathering to honor the event with immense faith.
Although recent
years have seen smaller turnouts due to regional instability, the
celebration remains a vital, peaceful, and deeply traditional event
in the city.
♰ Medhane
Alem (Holy Savior of the World)
Adi Kesho
Rock-hewn Church, 4th
Century.– Tigray, Ethiopia
♰ Medhane
Alem Adi Kesho (Holy Savior Church at Adi Kesho) in the Tigray region
of Ethiopia.
♰ Key
details about the church:
Location:
Tigray Region, Gheralta area.
Significance:
It is considered one of Tigray's oldest and finest rock-hewn
churches.
Architecture:
It features a unique decorated narthex, six huge square pillars
supporting the ceiling, and intricate reliefs and geometrical
patterns.
History:
The church is often described as having an immense height and
massive pillars, bearing a resemblance to a cathedral.
Medhane Alem
Adi Kesho is one of Tigray's oldest and most remarkable rock-hewn
churches, estimated to date 4th century. Located approximately 6
kilometers off the gravel road from the Wukro to Adigrat highway near
the small town of Tekatesfay, this church is renowned for its
architectural and historical significance.
An unusual
feature of Medhane Alem Adi Kesho is the beautifully decorated
narthex connecting the northern and southern ends of the church. Two
doors lead to the interior, where the ceiling is supported by six
massive square pillars. The ceiling is adorned with reliefs and
geometrical patterns, and due to its immense height and substantial
pillars, the church resembles a cathedral. Engravings on the walls
include a croix patêe on the right side of the back wall.
The church's
exterior and interior walls are roughly hewn, and it features a
unique mechanism for unlocking the doors from both inside and
outside. Inside, different pillars carved out of the rock are stained
with honey and milk, stemming from local tradition that deems the
church itself to have healing powers. When people are sick, they
consume milk or honey off the church’s columns.
Surrounded by a
variety of indigenous plants, the area remains lush and vibrant,
adding to the church's serene atmosphere. Visitors often note that
the journey to reach the site offers an enjoyable walk with stunning
views, making the visit to this unique church an unforgettable
experience.
Overall,
Medhane Alem Adi Kesho stands as a testament to Ethiopia's rich
religious heritage and architectural ingenuity, offering insight into
the country's historical devotion and cultural practices.
Miskaye Hizunan
Medhane Alem Monastery in Addis Ababa is
a prominent
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church institution, known as a
significant training center for clergy, monks, and youth, often
hosting thousands of Sunday school students. It is a renowned
monastery located in the capital, often associated with training.
Role:
Known as a key training center for priests, monks, and Sunday school
students.
Location:
Situated within the Addis Ababa region.
Significance:
Serves as a major monastery church with a large congregation of
young people, hosting over 12,000 Sunday school students (males and
females).
"Miskaye
Hizunan" is of Ethiopian origin. The meaning of "Miskaye
Hizunan" is a shelter for the afflicted , which is known as
"Yehazentegnoch Metteleya" (የሐዘንተኞች
መጠለያ) in Amharic language.
🥴
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and two Black officers. The NYT also reports Hegseth's chief of staff
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current and former defense and administration officials familiar with
the exchange.
🤩 The
Pharisees' Blindness: A Warning Against Pride
♰ In
the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Nicodemus is revered not only
as the secret disciple who helped bury Our
Lord Jesus Christ
(John 19:38-42)
but also as a model of transformation—moving from fear and pride to
bold faith.
He is
commemorated during the Great Lent (specifically today,
the 7th Sunday) as an example of one who abandons worldly attachments
and pride to be "born again" through.
In the
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Nicodemus is revered not only as
the secret disciple who helped bury Jesus but also as a model of
transformation—moving from fear and pride to bold faith.
He is
commemorated during the Great Lent (specifically the 7th Sunday) as
an example of one who abandons worldly attachments and pride to be
"born again" through baptism.
❖ Key
Aspects of Nicodemus in Ethiopian Orthodox Tradition:
Overcoming
Pride and Fear: As a wealthy Pharisee and ruler of the Jews,
Nicodemus initially came to Jesus at night, symbolizing a struggle
between his worldly position and his desire for truth. The Ethiopian
tradition highlights his journey from this initial fear to publicly
helping Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus, overcoming the shame and
pride associated with his status.
The Lesson
of Rebirth: Nicodemus is central to teaching the Orthodox
understanding of being "born again" through water and the
Holy Spirit (Baptism). The teachings highlight that he asked
questions about salvation directly from Christ, representing a
childlike humility.
A Saint of
Transformation: Ethiopian liturgy often emphasizes that Nicodemus's
story is a call for believers to move from the "darkness"
of hidden, timid faith to the "light" of bold, open
discipleship.
Commemoration:
The 7th Sunday of the Great Fast (Lent) is dedicated to Saint
Nicodemus.
😇
Nicodemus the Righteous, “A secret disciple of Christ”
Nicodemus was a
Pharisee and ruler of the Jews during the Apostasy era, who learned
Lord Jesus Christ sermons. This man was a teacher himself but knew
that our Lord’s Holy words were the only powerful and true. He use
to go Him in the night hour to hear His words seeking to avoid others
spotting speaking to Him. He also craved to escape the world of
darkness since he saw the light of salvation and life in Christ. Our
kind and caring Lord Jesus did not reject but received him with
Heavenly instructions. He talked to Nicodemus in a way that
encouraged Him to ask questions.
Nicodemus then
asked Lord Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who come
from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is
with him.” Lord Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly,
I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of
God.”(John 3:2-5)
Lord Jesus
explained to Nicodemus the precondition of salvation in the kingdom
of God which exists only if he believed that he was God’s own Son,
that he was equal with God the Father, and that the power to become
children of God by rebirth is available only through the mystery of
Baptism, which is one of the seven sacraments of the Church. (John 3:
2-13, 5: 17-18)
Nicodemus
desired to become a child of God and was baptized. He had love for
God and desired the grace of Baptism. Lord Jesus Christ explained to
him about the regeneration of man through Holy water. But at that
time, Nicodemus did not understand the mystery of Baptism to mean how
a man could be born again. When the Lord reprimanded him for his
ignorance and accepted it with humility, He believed in the Words of
Jesus who descended from above. (John 3:1-21)
Nicodemus never
again came to Lord Jesus in the dark due to his shamelessness but
loved Him. He came back to Lord Jesus Christ from time to time,
defended Him to the Pharisees and even became His follower proudly!
He was also the one who brought spices to anoint His body during His
crucifixion. (John 7:50-52, 19:39)
The seventh
Sunday in the Great Fast is named after Saint Nicodimus directing to
the new birth given by water and the Holy Spirit. After being cast
out the synagogue for his faith in Lord Jesus Christ, Saint Nicodemus
went to live with Saint Gamalile at his country house until his
death.
May God
cleanse our Soul with His Holy water, Amen!
