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Meskel (Ge'ez: መስቀል, romanized: Mesk’el) is a Christian holiday in the Ethiopian Orthodox and Eritrean Orthodox churches that commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by the Roman Empress Helena (Saint Helena) in the fourth century. Meskel occurs on the 17 Meskerem in the Ethiopian calendar (27 September, Gregorian calendar, or on 28 September in leap years). "Meskel" (or "Meskal" or "Mesqel", there are various ways to transliterate from Ge'ez to Latin script) is Ge'ez for "cross".

The festival is known as Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in other Orthodox, Catholic or Protestant churches. The churches that follow the Gregorian calendar celebrate the feast yearly on 14 September.

The feast is held in Meskel Square, named after the festival, in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Religious and civil leaders preside over the celebration, and public figures give speeches and reference biblical themes and stories. Many Ethiopians who live in cities return to their villages to celebrate the national event. When it gets darker, the Demera is burned.[UNESCO inscribed Meskel in 2013 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.]

Humanity had suffered a lot due to the grave sin Adam and Eve committed through the temptation of the Devil. The entire human race was rendered slave to Satan until our Lord Jesus Christ, one of the three Persons in the Holy Trinity, came to redeem us.
Christ came to the world in human form to atone for the wrongdoings of humans on our behalf and fulfill the Divine justice. He reopened the gate of heaven through His death as all humans, be they sinners or righteous, were not allowed to enter paradise. Between our Creator and us was a big wall that no one could take down but only our Lord Jesus Christ.

As the Lord promised to Adam, He came to the world and endured severe pain and contempt for our sake. He was then crucified on the Cross (Meskel) between two criminals who spent their entire lives robbing and terrorizing people. The Lord took our sin and our death and gave us His life; He called us His sons while everything we have ever done was crucified him and sin.

Christ redeemed us through His death on the Cross. The Cross has thus become the sign of victory for Christians. It is the symbol of our freedom from evil and our rebirth for a new life in Jesus Christ. That is why Saint Paul the Apostle said “But God forbids that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Gal 6:14)

Even after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Cross kept on making numerous miracles among believers. But the Jews who lived in those days were envious, and hence buried the Cross and turned the place into a dumping ground for garbage. Through time, the garbage piled up and took the form of a hill. The Jews had made every effort to obscure the place where the Cross was buried.

After 200 years, Queen Elena, mother of Constantine the Great, set out to locate the place where the cross was buried and excavate it. She prayed hard to request for the will and help of God and then headed for Jerusalem in 319 E.C to accomplish her project.

Given the lapse of two centuries, it was hard for Queen Elena to spot the exact place of burial of the Cross. She thus sough the counsel of an old man named Kirakos who told her that the Cross was buried in one of three hills located in city of Jerusalem.

Elena summoned all priests in the city for mass prayers. She then lit a bonfire and put incense into it. The smoke from the bonfire billowed into the sky and then bent down to the hill where the Cross was buried. She had the place dug, and three crosses were excavated. The True Cross on which our Lord was crucified was identified for the enormous miracles it did. After unearthing the Holy Cross, Queen Helena lit torches heralding her success.

In the Middle Ages, the Patriarch of Alexandria who got hold of part of the True Cross, gave the Ethiopian Emperor Dawit a piece of the Cross in return for protection afforded to the Coptic Christians. This piece is reputedly held at the Gishen Mariam church located about 70 kilometers northwest of Dessie in northern Ethiopia.

Happy Holiday!

Reference - Wikipedia
- EOTCMK

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Christ is risen!
John 20 : 19 – f
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’ But Thomas (who was called the Twin*), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’

ምስባክ መዝሙር ፷፯ ፥ ፩, ፪

ይትነሣእ እግዚአብሔር ወይዘረዉ ፀሩ፡
ወይጒየዩ ጸላዕቱ እምቅድመ ገጹ ።
ከመ የኀልቅ ጢስ ከማሁ የኀልቁ ።

Psalm 67 (68): 1, 2
Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered;
and let those who hate Him flee before His face.
As smoke vanishes, let them vanish;

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen

Christ is Risen!!!
With Great Power and Authority
He has incarcerated Satan
He has freed Adam
Peace be for now and forever
Joy and Happiness

ክርስቶስ ተንሥአ እሙታን
በዐብይ ኃይል ወሥልጣን
አሰሮ ለሰይጣን
አግዐዞ ለአዳም
ሠላም እምይዕዜሰ
ኮነ ፍስሐ ወሠላም

መዝሙር ዳዊት 21(22)፤16
ዐገቱኒ ከለባት ብዙኃን፤
ወአኀዙኒ ማኅበሮሙ ለእኩያን፤
ቀነዉኒ እደውየ ወእገርየ።
ወኈለቁ ኵሎ አዕጽምትየ፤

Psalms 22:16
For dogs have compassed me:
the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me:
they pierced my hands and my feet.
I may tell all my bones:

Temro Mastemar Association in Addis has distributed some food and nutritional assistances to the needy and low-income Temro members to help them celebrate Ethiopian Easter.

Temro Mastemar Association in Addis has distributed some food and nutritional assistance to the needy and low-income Temro members to help them celebrate Ethiopian Easter.

Introducing Holy Week, this coming Sunday is variously called, “Palm Sunday,” “Our Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem,” or “Hosaehnah.” Each epithet signifies the same historical event. For event marked the high point in Christ’s earthly career. At this time, as He completed His usual circuit, traveling between Galilee and Judea, His fame had spread beyond the forty mile radius of His usual range. Thousands doted on reports of astounding miracles He worked, like raising Lazarus from the dead. Many discussed His message about life in a “heavenly kingdom,” requiring repentance. As He came their way, the curious hoped for a closer look, and, to hear more. Yet, others were jealous of His growing popularity. Hearing that He was returning to Jerusalem, critics feared the annual festal crowd might erupt, and try to make Jesus king. Certainly, that would provoke the Roman occupation force. Those who had nothing to lose, saw Jesus as a bright ray of hope. Others, imagining they had achieved some measure of security, saw Jesus as a formidable threat to their control of the masses, rather than as the Messiah. This week’s scriptural citations and prayers remind us that now, as then, Jesus comes to save us. “Hosaenah” is an Amharic flavored English transliteration of Hebrew, meaning “Pray save us.” Jesus, the Messiah from Nazareth, is that Blessed One, Who came in the Name of the Lord, to save us. But, ask yourself, “From what, do I expect Him to save me?” “From inconvenience?” “Or, from selfish pre-occupations with sin and death.” Christ’s Good News is about the possibility of change. But, it only works for those who accept that God is perfect, and He does not need to change, as we do. The only way that we can benefit from what Christ offers us, is by using His power to change our ways to His way. Trying to have things our way, or both ways, just obscures His will, further. By turning, instead, to anticipate His will, one discovers Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The bottom line is not about how loudly we shout, “Lord save us!” Nor will He judge our clever palm leaf crafts. Anticipating reward in His eternal kingdom, requires changing one’s personal priorities, to lose every selfish habit. Repenting of sin requires turning one’s heart toward God’s standard of love. We must stop weaving excuses for failing to love Him with our whole mind, heart, and soul. Then, other personal deficits will become apparent. What each of us lacks, may not yet, occur to us. Subtle things keep us from living consciously in God’s loving presence. Such self imposed near-sightedness keeps us from even noticing people whom we should treat, as we would like them to treat us. Each one is a gift, sent by God to test our faith, hope and love. Observing this Holy Week of Christ’s suffering, let us arm ourselves with the same intention (1Pt, 4:1) to take up the cross to follow our King to the glory of His Resurrection.
ምስባክ መዝሙር ፰ ፥ ፪
እምአፈ ደቂቅ ወሕፃናት አስተዳሎከ ስብሐተ ።
በእንተ ጸላዒ።
ከመ ትንስቶ ለጸላዒ ወለገፋዒ ።
Psalm 8 : 2
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings
Have You perfected praise,
In spite of Your enemies,
Not only to silence the foe, but the avenger.
John 12 : 12 – 20
12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!’ 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 15 ‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!’ 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. 17 So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.* 18 It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. 19 The Pharisees then said to one another, ‘You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!'

7th Sunday of the Great Fast - Nicodemus

The introduction Psalm verse, plus Nicodemus’ story shows us that, at the end of each day, we are transformed by how we interact with each other, demonstrating His will. The overlap of our liturgical reading of verses 10 - 12, indicates that we must learn earthly lessons from Christ's teaching, before we fully appreciate what He came to teach us about His coming heavenly kingdom. Two weeks from now, we will observe St. Nicodemus' response to Jesus’ challenge. Learning to displace fear by perfecting love, this disciple courageously collaborated with St. of Arimathea. Together, they bravely asked permission to bury our Lord’s body, after taking it down from the Cross, preparing it for burial, anticipating His Resurrection.

ምስባክ መዝሙር ፲፮ ፥ ፫, ፬
ሐወጽከኒ ሌሊተ ወፈተንኮ ለልብየ።
አመከርከኒ ወኢተረክበ ዐመጻ በላዕሌየ ።
ከመ ኢይንብብ አፉየ ግብረ ዕጓለ እመሕያው

Psalm 16: 3, 4
You proved and visited my heart by night,
You have tried me by fire, lest unrighteousness be found in me;
That my mouth may not speak of the doings of men,

John 3 : 1 – 12
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ 3 Jesus answered him, ‘Amen. Amen. No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above. 4 Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ 5 Jesus answered, ‘Amen. Amen. No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” 8 The Spirit blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ 9 Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ 10Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 “Amen. Amen. I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

This is the 6th Sunday of the Great Fast. Today’s readings remind us about what “To do!” How does one properly prepare to celebrate the great feast of Fasika?This “Things to do” list does not include making shopping lists and finding the phone number of your lamb butcher. Rather, correct readiness for Christ’s Resurrection may be found by more creatively using whatever you already have, to serve The Master better. To Instruct St. Timothy to be a good bishop, the Apostle Paul reminded him to use everything he had learned, already, to convince his people to share in that suffering which the Lord came to demonstrate. He observed, that like a soldier, believers must train to use the full strength of God’s grace. Writing his first letter to be circulated among various local churches, in Verse 5, St. Peter, paraphrased Proverbs 3:34. St. James raised the same point in his epistle (4:6) God opposes the proud, while favoring the humble. Whoever expects, ultimately, to be exalted by God, must first, learn to humbly submit to His authority. Like each of our brothers and sisters throughout the world, we must humbly expose all our cares for His examination. Talk candidly with God about whatever “hand” He has dealt you. Develop to full potential, whatever He has placed in your hand. Learn to live, always aware of God’s presence, dealing lovingly with one another, while doing whatever else you might be doing. Better servants, train to be such, by gratefully responding to God’s generosity. Since God gives free will, life’s real test is not about how much you received, but rather, about how you invest whatever He has already given you; in the time He has allotted you. Since no one knows how much time remains, start now, anticipating His return, with joy. Rather than fearing punishment for wasting any more time. The sooner you begin, the easier it gets. As you direct your heart according to His wishes, you shall be counted among His good servants, when He returns. Which moment is right to prepare to enter the joy of your Master. Anticipate His return, by always doing His bidding. Avoid bad investments, remembering the Devil tempts anyone supposing tomorrow might be a better time to dig up buried talents. To receive that praise, which God created you to anticipate, rather than burying God-given talents in selfish fleshly pursuits, start developing skills He gave you, to discover ever better investments. What God has already given you, begin sharing with those who need what you haves. That part of investment strategy is covered in verses 31 to the finish of Matthew 25. Go to your favorite Bible version. Check it out, to make sure you understand how our Lord defines investment of talents. Begin by investing in the next person God sends you. If he or she asks of you, give it. If he/she offends you, forgive that offense.

6th Sunday of the Great Fast, Hymn about the Good Servant ገብር ኄር (gae'br he'er)

2 Timothy 2 : 1 – 16
You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; 2 and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. 3 Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. 5 And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. 6 It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself. 14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God* that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

1 Peter 5 : 1 – 12
Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight,* not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it - *not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders.* And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves; keep alert.* Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters* throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Acts 1 : 6 – 9
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ 7 He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’

ምስባክ መዝሙር ፴፱ ፤ ፰, ፱
ከመ እንግር ፈቃደከ መከርኩ አምላኪየ
ወሕግከኒ በማዕከለ ከርሥየ ።
ዜኖኩ ጽድቀከ በማኀበር ዐቢይ ።

Psalm 39(40) : 8, 9
To do Your will, O My God,
Your law has filled me up.
Proclaiming Your righteousness in the great congregation

Matthew 25 : 14 – 31 14 ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents,* to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” 21 His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” 23 His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” 26 But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then we chant the Anaphora of St. Basil or of the Apostles

HOMILY
In our Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, the Great Fast is an eight week count.

Have Perseverance!
Temro Mastemar Association is calling upon all its members, seniors and juniors, to come to Medhane Alem Monastery and spend a spiritual family reunification time on Dec 5, 2021, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Let’s get to know each other!

Ethiopian Orthodox Mezmur ውዳሴ ማርያም

Temro Mastemar Association updated their phone number.

https://youtu.be/d0hP56HDP2s

Ethiopian Orthodox Mezmur Temro Mastemar መስቀል ቤዛችን ነው

Miskaye Hizunan Medhane Alem Church and Temro Mastemar Association, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Temro Mastemar Association updated their website address.

Temro Mastemar Association updated their business hours.