NEBAB #13: The 13th Month- Pagume (ጳጉሜ)

NEBAB #13

The Orthodox Tewahedo Magazine

THE 13th MONTH- PAGUME (ጳጉሜ)

The Spiritual Education Unit

Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Archdiocese of the Caribbean and Latin America

The 13th Month- Pagume

In this issue:

    1. The Small Month

    2. Get to know the archangel St Raphael

    3. Faith and works

    4. “Ask Abba/Kes”

    5. A Miracle of the Holy Virgin Maryam

    6. Children’s corner

    7.ይበል ግዕዝ 

    8. Orthodox Q&A

 

The Small Month

The unique Ethiopian calendar- with its 13 months, new year in September, and being years behind the Gregorian calendar- can be confusing to outsiders, let alone for us who have to keep 2 calendars straight in our heads! But the beauty of our calendar gives us one of our most unique observances, shared only by a few other solar calendars in the world- the intercalary month of Pagume. The subject of timekeeping and calendars is a complex one, but the important thing is that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church observes this small month with much significance.

Ending and Transitioning

Because this month brings us to the end of one year and the start of the next, it reminds of the end of the world and the transition from this life into the next.

Because, like Debre Zeyt, Pagume reminds us of the end of the world, this month is often considered a time for repentance. Added to this is the nature of the small month as being made up of ‘extra days’ (the name comes from the Greek epgagomenos, meaning ‘extra’), it takes on the notion of a grace period, or extra time to repent.

St Raphael and the Opening of the Heavens

On the 3rd of Pagume, the EOTC celebrates the feast of the archangel St Raphael, as well as the observance of rehiwete semay, or the opening of the heavens, on which day the prayers of believers go up to God in a special manner and the rain that falls is considered blessed- this occurs every 52 days starting Pagume 3. In the next article we’ll get to know more about St Raphael the archangel.

May the archangel Raphael’s intercession be with us, amen!

St Raphael / St Rufael

The Archangel St. Raphael (St. Rufa’el) is the glorious messenger of GOD from the third heavens. He is the third of the vigilant seven holy heavenly archangels who report the prayers of the saints and enters before the glory of the Holy One (Tobit 12:15). He is venerated and celebrated within the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church on the 3rd of Pagumen / 8th September every year. The first known church built and dedicated in the name of the glorious Archangel St. Raphael was in the 4th century on an island outside of the city of Alexandria (18th Tekemet / 28th October: Ethiopian Synaxarium (ES) pg 94). On this day, St. Theophilus consecrated this church. And while the believers were praying, it trembled and moved about. It was then found that the church had been built upon the back of a whale. And it was satan who disturbed the whale so as to throw down the church into the sea. St. Theophilus and the believers made supplication to our LORD JESUS CHRIST and asked for the intercession of the glorious Archangel St. Rufa’el. And the LORD GOD Most High sent the glorious Archangel St. Raphael who drove his spear into the whale and said, “By the commandment of God stand still, and move not thyself from thy place”. And the whale stood still and moved not. And many other signs, healings and wonders were manifested in his Church. This is why in the EOTC, the icon of Archangel St. Rufa’el is depicted with a spear over his church which is on a whale. Our LORD JESUS CHRIST also taught HIS Apostles that this glorious honourable Archangel St. Rufa’el makes the hearts of men to rejoice. He is sincere, good and merciful to sinners as he never lay information concerning their sins before GOD. And he has power to save due to his love for men. The Archangel St. Raphael is whom GOD set over the twenty-three hosts of angels who praises GOD The Father, and His compassionate Son, and the Holy Spirit the Comforter. Men should pray to St. Raphael in time of sorrow and tribulation to find grace and compassion with ALMIGHTY GOD through his intercessions. For GOD commands St. Rufa’el to give good things to the saints and to take up the branches of the Tree of Life in his hand, and give them to Christians on that day of life and joy. The Archangel St. Raphael keeps the treasure houses of the heavens and he opens and shuts them according to GOD’S command. And if any man does a good deed to another man for St. Rufa’el name’s sake, or writes a book about his office and miracles, or remembers any of the poor in his name, or offers up an offering of incense on his day of commemoration (3rd of Paguemen / 8th September), St. Raphael will bear them and transport them on the chariot of light, until they enter the heavenly Jerusalem. And he will place in their souls scented branches with an exceedingly sweet odor, the like of which shall never be found upon the earth. And whoever shall preach and teach unto all men to celebrate his commemoration, he will make intercession with GOD on their behalf, deliver them from their tribulation and they shall never see punishment. Ask of him oh you Christians at all times so that he may protect you until ye stand before GOD. St. Rufa’el is the angel of protection (Book of Enoch 10:4, 7) and warns the righteous from their enemies (Hamle 03 / July 10: ES pgs 607 – 608 & Hamle 8 / July 15:  ES pgs 627 - 629). He is also the angel of modesty, healing, exorcism of demons, of fishermen, of protection and of marriage. And he is still present to protect and guard the Church of St. Sophia the martyr (Meskerem 05 / September 15: Ethiopian Synaxarium pgs 9 – 10).

Salutation to the Glorious Archangel St. Rufa’el (Raphael)

Faith and Works:

Extra time to repent

Pagume is a time we should focus on our Christian lives, especially the sacrament of penance. It is an excellent opportunity to improve our confession lives no matter what level we are at.

Beginner- I don’t go to confession

Now is the time to start. Talk to a priest you have a good relationship with and ask him about the sacrament of penance. He will guide you according to your individual circumstance.

Intermediate- I have confessed before

Ask your priest how often you should confess and form a regular schedule for confession

Advanced- I have a regular confession life

Start a confession journal where you reflect and record your sins at the end of each day. This will make confession easier and more thorough, and help you understand yourself and your struggles more clearly.

Ask Abba/Kes

"I Heard that there is a “Fast of Judith” during Pagumen. Is this a Mandatory Fast?"

This fast, Tsome Yodit, is not a regular fast, but as you are willing. Two times a year we have fasts that you can do by your own will- this time, and from Meskerem 25th, during the season of flowers- that is Tsome Tsige. You can learn about this fast in the book of Judith, read chapter 2 and also chapter 8.

BIBLE QUIZ!

In the Book of Tobit, what caused the death of Sarah’s husbands?

 

A Miracle of the Holy Virgin Maryam

A miracle performed by Our Lady Mary Mariham, Holy Virgin, the Mother of God. May her intercession be with us, amen.

A deacon who dearly loved the Lord most high and also loved Our Lady Mary Mariham, Holy Virgin, the Mother of Mercy, lived in a certain place. Of all his prayers, he loved most this prayer that contains her praises and her joy. He would say this prayer humbly all the time: 

“Rejoice, dear Mary Mariham, the Virgin who gave birth to the Lord! Rejoice, dear Mary Mariham, for you gave birth to the light of the world! Rejoice, dear Mary Mariham, the Holy Virgin who gave birth to the word of God as a virgin! Rejoice, dear Mary Mariham, dear Fullness of Grace, God is with you, for all people praise you. Rejoice, dear Mary Mariham, the Pure, dear Mother of Life, for you are our mediator between us and your only begotten son!”

As for this prayer, they established it and pray it in the holy church. It is called “The Five Joys of Our Lady Mary Mariham, the Holy Virgin.” A terrible illness overcame the deacon, and he was close to death. While that deacon was sick, Our Lady Mary Mariham, the Holy Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Praise of the Angels, Joy of the Faithful, appeared to him.

She said to that deacon, “Do not be afraid and do not be sad. From now on, no evil or fear will find you. For through the rejoices you have eloquently said to me many times, I have become your hope. From now on you will be with me in paradise and eternal joy.” When that deacon heard this, it seemed as though he had been healed from his disease. He got out of his bed with great joy. The moment he got up, his soul departed his body and ascended with Our Lady Mary Mariham, the Holy Virgin. It entered eternal joy through the intercession of Our Lady Mary Mariham, the Holy Virgin, the Compassionate, the Mother of Mercy.

May her prayer and her blessing be with emperor Dawit for ever and ever amen.

O Holy Virgin Maryam, pray for us!

LIJOCH! The Children's Corner

Memory verse: Judith  12 : 2

And Judith said,’I will not eat thereof, lest there be an offence ; but provision shall be made for me of the things that I have brought.’

Unscramble Words

These words are taken from the article on pages 3 and 4, but some have extra letters! Carefully take out the extra letters and save them for the end!

neirthhtet                  htjduim

reaya                          alonidadiet  

pojhn                          nemuaadrognwe

kregeg                        ygduenjamdte

gnnuoecomcids         tshjscseuri

  Circle the remaining letters to spell out the word _______

Memory verse : Tobit  12 : 15

I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy one.’

ይበል:ግዕዝ (yibel Ge’ez)

Let's reclaim our forefathers’ language

In linguistics, the genitive is a special case nouns can take to show possession, origin, reference, etc. In simple terms, the genitive has to do with the word “of”.

Here are some English examples: 

1. The staff of Aaron/Aaron’s staff (possession)

2. The son of David/David’s son (origin)

3. The queen of Sheba/Sheba’s queen (reference)

In Ge’ez, to make most genitives, we can change the last letter from 6th form to 1st.

1. በትር -> በትረ ኣሮን

betr       betre Aron

2. ወልድ -> ወለደ ዳዊት

weld welde Dawit

3. ንግሥት -> ንግሥተ ሳባ

nigist nigiste Saba

ORTHODOX Q&A

Can I Be Excused From Paying Tithes?

Whoever pays his tithes when he himself is in need, will have a greater reward from God. Because by doing so he is putting others before himself, unlike the person who pays but is comfortably off and can well afford it, who does not feel that he is forgoing any of his necessities in order to supply the needs of another. We observe that the Lord Jesus Christ praised the poor widow who paid the two small copper coins, and said that she had put more than all the others into the temple treasury because: “for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”(Luke 21:4) “she…. put in all that she had ” (Mark 12:44).

Send us your questions at: seu.eotccarla@gmail.com

References

Short message on behalf the Spiritual Education Unit:

His Grace Abune Thaddaeus, Head Administrator Archimandrite Abba Gebreyesus, and all clergy and faithful- thank you for the opportunity to share this labour of love with you. Thanks also to the team of the Spiritual Education Unit for their hard work.

-Liqe Teghuan Tekle Mariam Greene

Miracle of the Holy Virgin Mary: pemm.princeton.edu/en-us/stories/142

Orthodox Q&A: Can I be excused from paying the tithes? Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K. (ukmidcopts.org)

St. Raphael/ St. Rufa’el

Budge, S.E (2017). The Synaxarium of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

CONTACT US:

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Tel. 868-642-4230.

e-mail: eotc.arch.carla@gmail.com

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