The Fifth Week of the

👉🏽👉🏽👉🏽The #Fifth #Week of the #Great #Lent –  #Mount of #Olives ( #Debre #Zeit)and the Second Coming of Christ Part 3 Debre Zeit, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, is a festival of profound depth, rich in spiritual meaning and boundless wisdom. It is a day so filled with divine mysteries that no written word can fully capture its essence. The teachings contained within this sacred observance, like the parables of Christ Himself, transcend human language and can only be fully grasped through the living faith and practice of the Holy Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Each year, the faithful celebrate Debre Zeit with acts of mercy, reverence, and anticipation of the Lord’s coming. This festival is not merely a day on the calendar but a prophetic signpost that directs the soul towards the final judgment, the Second Coming of Christ, and the necessity of enduring faith until the very end. The Celebration of Debre Zeit in Ethiopia In the rural heartlands of Ethiopia, where faith is woven into daily life, Debre Zeit is observed with great piety by both the wealthy and the poor, the great and the humble. Those who have been blessed with material wealth bring forth the fruits of their labor, offering them to the Church in gratitude to God. Those who have little still come forth with hearts full of faith, sharing what they can. The essence of this sacred observance is love in action. Before the faithful partake in their own meals, they first seek out the poor, the hungry, and the afflicted, offering them nourishment and comfort. Only after fulfilling this duty of charity do they find their place within the sanctuary of the church, drawing near to the altar in reverence. Why do they do this? The answer lies in the words of our Lord: "I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you welcomed me; I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me. Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." To live in accordance with these words is to live the very faith that Christ taught. The faithful, knowing the weight of this divine command, prepare themselves for the day of reckoning by embodying love and charity. A Day of Remembrance for the Departed Debre Zeit is not only a time of giving but also a day of deep spiritual connection between the living and the departed. It is believed that on this sacred day, the souls of the dead draw near, yearning for the prayers and offerings of their loved ones. The faithful, moved by love for those who have passed, bring forth loaves of bread and offerings of rice, presenting them before the church in honor of their departed kin. They do so in the hope that these acts of mercy might bring solace to the souls of their ancestors. It is said that if a person neglects this sacred duty, the soul of the departed relative will return sorrowful, lamenting the neglect of their kin. This belief is a reflection of the unity between the Church Militant (those living in faith) and the Church Triumphant (those who have passed on in Christ). The Names and Significance of Debre Zeit This holy day is known by many names, each one revealing an aspect of its divine mystery: The Second Coming – For it reminds us of the return of our Lord in glory. Judgment Day – As it calls to mind the great day when all shall stand before the throne of Christ. The Day of the Lord – Signifying the sovereign rule of God over all creation. The Day of Atonement – For it is a day to seek the mercy of God and to be reconciled to Him. The Day of Resurrection – Foreshadowing the final resurrection when the faithful shall stand at the right hand of Christ, while the unrepentant shall fall into eternal darkness. It is a day of watchfulness, a call to remain steadfast in faith, lest we be deceived by false prophets and the deceptions of the world. For our Lord Himself warned: Continues 👇🏽