👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾 The First Week of the #Great #Fast: #Zewerede
Beloved brethren in Christ, may the boundless peace and grace of our Lord and Savior be multiplied unto you. As we enter into the sacred season of Great Fasting, let us turn our hearts to contemplation and spiritual renewal. The first Sunday of this holy fast is called Zewerede, a name rich in divine mystery and salvific significance.
The Meaning of Zewerede
The term Zewerede signifies “descended”, reflecting the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation—God became man, so that man might become God. It is the commemoration of the divine condescension, the wondrous event in which the eternal Word, ineffably begotten of the Father, humbled Himself and took flesh from the Holy Virgin Mary for our salvation.
This week, therefore, marks the descent of Christ from the heavenly throne, His assumption of our human nature, and His mission to redeem fallen Adam and all his descendants. This descent is not merely a historical event but a present reality—one that must transform our hearts, our thoughts, and our way of life.
The Fulfillment of the Promise to Adam
In the fullness of time, as St. Paul testifies in his epistle to the Galatians, “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4). This divine act was not arbitrary but was the fulfillment of the primordial promise given to Adam, when the Most High declared, “After five and a half days, I will be born from your descendants, and I will be crucified on the cross and save you.” This, known as the Adam Covenant, is the cornerstone of all divine covenants, forming an unbroken chain of salvation linking the Old and New Testaments with unshakable certainty.
This week of fasting, therefore, is not merely a remembrance but a participation in the sacred mystery of Christ’s coming into the world. The prophets of old longed to see this day, and the patriarchs placed their hope in its fulfillment. The voice of prophecy resounded throughout the ages, foretelling the birth of the Messiah, the One who would shatter the bonds of sin and lead His people into the kingdom of righteousness. Zewerede is the dawn of our redemption, the manifestation of God’s unfathomable love, and the inauguration of the work that culminates in the glorious resurrection.
The Purpose of Our Fasting
If Christ descended from His throne of majesty for our sake, what then shall we render unto Him? If He bore the weight of our transgressions and subjected Himself to suffering, shall we not also crucify the desires of the flesh and submit ourselves to the discipline of fasting?
Brethren, let us make our fasting precious in the sight of God—not as an external obligation, but as a fragrant offering of our contrite hearts. Let us fast with sincerity, so that our petitions may ascend like incense before the Almighty. In this time of testing and tribulation, as the Church endures hardship, let us entreat the Lord with fervent supplication, that He may look upon us with mercy and answer our prayers.
Our fasting must not be one of mere abstinence from food but a spiritual exercise of purification and renewal. The Prophet Isaiah warns against an empty fast, saying:
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6).
True fasting involves repentance, humility, and service to others. It calls us to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and seek reconciliation with our brethren. Fasting, therefore, is not a burden but a means of drawing closer to God, purifying our souls, and realigning our lives with His divine will.
A Call to Prayer and Spiritual Vigilance
May God, who is the God of the righteous and the saints, accept our fasting and prayers, sanctify our souls, and strengthen us in the path of holiness. As we journey through this blessed season, let us remain steadfast in faith, unshaken in hope, and fervent in love, so that we may be found worthy to partake in the glory of Christ’s resurrection.
Continues 👇🏽