The Ethiopian Tradition and the

Continued 👇🏾 The Ethiopian Tradition and the Angels In the tradition of the Ethiopian Church, the holy icon of Our Lady of Fiqur Wolda is only considered complete when the angels stand beside her. Saint Michael and Saint Gabriel, guardians of the mystery, are painted at her left and right. For the Queen of Heaven does not appear in isolation, but is surrounded by the heavenly host, honored by those spirits who never cease to minister before the throne of God. The Loss of Tradition But take heed, beloved, not every image that bears the Virgin’s likeness follows the canons of the fathers. Some paintings on the market or hanging in temples are borrowed from foreign traditions: Greek, Russian, or Catholic, born not of Ethiopian soil but of other lands. These, though beautiful, do not always reflect the fullness of our own Church’s inheritance. The very reform of art in our history has led to a forgetting of the old ways, and so the Byzantine Nazarene style has sometimes replaced the Ethiopian hand. Conclusion Therefore, when you gaze upon the image of Our Lady crowned, do not look with fleshly eyes only. See the martyr’s crown of her suffering, the Queen’s crown of her exaltation. Read in the blue garment her humility, her dwelling as the Ark, her likeness to heaven itself. Remember that her Son wears no royal diadem but the crown of thorns, and that the saints are crowned by His gift. And let the angels, Michael and Gabriel, remind you that she stands not alone but as Queen amidst the heavenly court. Part 6 Continues ... May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends:https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance