How is the #Time System Defined in #Ethiopia?
(Part 8)
Beloved in Christ, children of the holy Church, I greet you in the peace of the Lord, who is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Today, we shall meditate upon the mystery of time, and how our fathers in Ethiopia, guided by divine wisdom, have preserved a holy order for the reckoning of days, seasons, and years.
For the Scripture says: “You have blessed the year with Your goodness” (Psalm 64:11). Time itself is sanctified, for it is the unfolding of God’s providence, from the creation of Adam until the coming of Christ, and from the Resurrection until the consummation of all things.
The Order of the Fasts and Feasts
The Ethiopian calendar anchors its holy observances upon the Fast of Nineveh (Tsome Nenewe), for just as the repentance of the people of Nineveh turned away the wrath of God, so this fast becomes the foundation of all others. From this, the classification of the year is set.
For example, in the year 2018 AD, by the calculation of Mebaja Hamer, the number of days from Nineveh fast( tsome nenewe) until the Fast of Salvation (Tsome Dihnet) was 121. Dividing by 30, four full months and one day remain; thus, the fast began on Ginbot 26. From this single anchor point, the entire calendar of fasts and feasts unfolds:
Meskel on Meskerem 17, a Saturday.
The Fast of the Prophets (Gena Fast) beginning Hidar 15, a Monday.
Timqet (Baptism) on Tir 11, Monday.
The Great Fast (Hudade) beginning Yekatit 2.
Debre Zeyt on Megabit 6, Sunday.
Hosae'na on Megabit 27, Sunday.
Crucifixion on Miyazya 2, Friday.
Resurrection on Miyazya 4, Sunday.
Ascension on Ginbot 13, Thursday.
Pentecost (Paraclete) on Ginbot 23, Sunday.
Thus, whoever knows the beginning of Nineveh can trace the steps of the whole liturgical year, past, present, and to come.
The Ancient Witness of Adam
Consider, beloved, the story of our forefather Adam. He was created on a Friday, and after forty days was placed in Paradise. There he lived in innocence for seven years, one month, and seventeen days. But in disobedience, eating of the forbidden fruit, he fell. Yet even in his fall, God gave a promise: “From your seed shall come the Savior, after five thousand and five hundred years, to redeem mankind.”
Thus, the children of Adam began to mark time by the sun, the moon, and the stars, awaiting the day of salvation. Time itself became a prophecy, a witness pointing to Christ.
Consider, beloved, the story of our forefather Adam. He was created on a Friday, and after forty days was placed in Paradise. There he lived in innocence for seven years, one month, and seventeen days. But in disobedience, eating of the forbidden fruit, he fell.
“When Adam repented, God promised him that after 5,500 years, a Savior would be born from his descendants to redeem him.”
Thus, the children of Adam began to mark time by the sun, the moon, and the stars, awaiting the day of salvation. Time itself became a prophecy, a witness pointing to Christ.
The Life of Our Lord in Time
He was conceived on Megabit 29, 5500, at 3:00 AM, a Sunday ,during the time of john
He was born on Tahisas 29, 5501, at 10:00 PM, a Tuesday,during the time of Matthew
He was baptized on Tir 10, at 10:00 PM.during the time of luke
In the year 5533, which corresponds to the 33rd year of Matthew Era, Christ revealed His divine light to the apostles on Mount Tabor. This took place on Sunday, August 13,at noon.
He entered Jerusalem on Megabit 22, 5534, a Sunday, riding on a donkey’s colt,during the time of mark
On Megabit 26, Thursday, He fulfilled the Passover, giving the new covenant of His Body and Blood ,during the time of mark
On Megabit 27, Friday, He was crucified, yielding His soul at the sixth hour ,during the time of mark
On Megabit 29, Sunday, He rose in glory at midnight, during the time of mark
And on Ginbot 8, at 3:00 AM, He ascended to His Father, during the time of mark
Thus, every hour and every date is not empty, but filled with the presence of Christ, who sanctified time by His own life.
Continues 👇🏾