NEBAB #20: The Season of Flowers- ዘመነ ጽጌ (Zemene Tsige)- Week 5

  NEBAB #20

The Orthodox Tewahedo Magazine

THE SEASON OF FLOWERS- ዘመነ ጽጌ (ZEMENE TSIGE)- WEEK 5

The Spiritual Education Unit

Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Archdiocese of the Caribbean and Latin America

Zemene Tsige- 5th Week

In this issue:

Theme of this week: tsegeye weyn (the vine has blossomed)

    1. The Symbolism of Egypt

    2. Egypt in the Holy Bible

    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 Symbolism of Egypt

During this season, we think often of Egypt. From Joseph- sold there as a slave, to Moses- leading God’s people out, to the Holy Family’ flight, Egypt is referred to in the Bible as often as our beloved Ethiopia! Readers, let us not be carnally minded, but set our minds on things above. Egypt is not Egypt- Egypt is you!

Consider Egypt: known for being a superpower and a centre of science, progress, and culture worldwide, Egypt thrived in all worldly pursuits! It owed its success largely to the fertility and life granted by the Nile river, however for thousands of years Egypt carried on in its worldly ways, briefly if ever acknowledging the Creator who gave them the mighty Nile, and putting countless idols in His place. How often is the human condition the same? We take great pleasure in the greatness the human condition can accomplish- and neglect to honour the Father from Whom we get our greatness.

Indeed, Egypt is not Egypt, nor is it some other country to which we can point a finger. Egypt is our hearts. We put ourselves up at the pinnacle of the world, thinking ourselves so important that when we draw the map of our lives, we are at the centre. But our beloved Lord and merciful Saviour Jesus Christ, glory be to the invocation of His name, walked in the desert of our hearts. He came and saw the true result of the path we took- not greatness and success, but forgotten ruins and harsh desert. He came and walked in this desert to call it back- to make the land fertile once more- and truly fertile, bearing fruits of righteousness- with the mighty river of baptism.

We may think of Egypt as wretched and hopeless, and we may think the things of Egypt fit to be dismissed, but learn the character of God! For thousands of years there were no palm trees in Jerusalem- but on Sunday they laid palms before our Lord! These were the palms of Egypt, used by our Lord for the glory and honour of His holy name.

Egypt In The Holy Bible

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen.

The Holy Bible concentrates on “Jerusalem” which means “land of peace” or “vision of peace” as the center of the promised land, where God declares His dwelling among people. And a holy temple was established in it in His Name, where people worshipped HIm, offered Him sacrifices and offerings, and celebrated many feasts as a symbol of the heavenly joy. This is Jerusalem, the symbol of heaven, that is called “Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all” Gal 4:26. On the other hand, we find Babel and Egypt; Babel represents disobedience to God, violence, vainglory (tower of Babel Gen 11) opposing God through His believers, (the Babylonian captivity), adultery and abominations (Rev 17:5). Egypt was well known for its abundant crops, and its king (Pharaoh) to whom Israel and Jude used to refuge against Babylon. Therefore, Egypt was a symbol of loving the temporary things and the trust in humans hands (1 Kings 18:21). Egypt was a refuge to many people, especially in famines. Abraham visited Egypt (Gen 12:10), so did Joseph who became the second man after Pharoah, offering crops to all the neighboring countries. Jacob and his sons came to Egypt where they lived as a family and grew as a nation. It was the birth place or the nursery of the people of God. Their first leader, Moses, the great prophet and his brother Aaron the first chief-priest appeared in Egypt to grant them freedom. St. Stephen says, “And Moses was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds” Acts 7:22 Among the prophets who visited Egypt was Jeremiah who implored people not to flee to Egypt, but in vain, for they forced him to accompany them in their journey to Egypt (Jer 41:1, 43:7). He uttered his last prophecies in Tahpanhes of Egypt (Jer 43:8 - 44:30). Thus, Egypt became a representative of the Gentiles to whom Christ came to establish His Church and to form His new people.Hosea, the Prophet, foresaw the Son of God going out of Bethlehem and fleeing to Egypt, where He found a welcome in the hearts of Gentiles. 

Through Hosea, God the Father uttered this prophecy, “I called my son out of Egypt” Hos. 11:1

Isaiah the Prophet gave us more details, saying: “Behold, the burden of Egypt, the Lord rides upon a swift cloud, He shall come to Egypt, and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at His presence. In that day there shall be an altar to the lord in the midst of the land of Egypt” Isaiah 19:1. 

St Cyril the Great interpreted this prophecy saying “The glittering cloud which carried the child Jesus to Egypt was His mother, St. Mary, who surpassed the cloud in purity. The altar which was established in the midst of the land of Egypt is the Christian church which had replaced the temples of paganism as the idols collapsed and the temples were deserted in the presence of the Lord Jesus.”

Some of the important stations where the holy family took shelter are: 

Bubastis Hill

The holy family left Bethlehem on its way to Egypt through Sinai. They followed the Southern Caravan way along the Mediterranean coast, passing through Gaza - Raphia- Rhinocolura,  (now El-Arish), and then to Ostrakini which became a Diocese of Bishop Abram who joined the council of Ephesus 431 AD.

The last station for the Holy Family in Sinai was Pelusium (now Al-Farma), which is located between El- Arish and Port-Said and which is considered the key entrance to Egypt from the Eastern side. From Pelusium they crossed to Bubastis (Tel-Basta), where they rested under a tree, that is said to have survived till 1850 AD. Here at Bubastis Hill, a spring of water erupted, from which the holy family used to drink; and its water healed many from their sickness. Soon after the Holy Family resided in the city, the pagan statues began to collapse and this consequently aroused the anger of the pagan priests against the Holy Family. Therefore, the Holy Family left the outskirts of the city to a place now called “Mastard”.

Mataryah

The Holy Family traveled to Bilbais, then to Miniat-Genah (now Miniat Sammanoud), crossing the River Nile to Sammanoud and from there to Borolos. They crossed the River Nile to the Western bank to Sakha, then they traveled westward. Along Waldi-el Natroun (Natroun Valley), south of the “Sheheet” wilderness. This wilderness became a paradise of monks, the earthly angels.

The Holy Family then traveled to Heliopolis, to a district called “Mataryah” where they took shelter under a tree, known as the “St. Virgin Mary Tree”. The Coptic Church is taking care of this tree which is still blossoming despite its old age. Near this tree a spring of water shot and balsam plants are still growing. These plants are added to the ointments used to make the Holy Chrism (Oil for confirmation).Pilgrims in the middle ages used to visit “Mataryah” and “St. Mary’s Tree” regarding them as sacred places. Until today tourists come to visit them.

St. Virgin Mary’s Closet at El Ezrawia

It is said that the Holy Family passed by a watermelon farm where seeds had just been sown. St Joseph asked the farmer to tell the soldiers who were chasing them that the Holy Family passed by his farm at the time when he was sowing his seeds. Two days later when the soldier arrived at the farm, the watermelon had blossomed and some fruits were visible. This made the soldiers believe that the Holy family had passed by this place several months before. Therefore the soldiers slowed down the chase after the Holy family.

Faith and Works:

Walk through your desert

“Man, know thyself”- wisdom as old as wisdom itself. For indeed greater is he who conquers himself than the one who conquers a city, and how can anyone conquer what they do not know? 

Journalling- A while back, this column mentioned the idea of a journal in which a believer records their sins at the end of a day. We can use a similar technique to get familiar with our unclean desires. As uncomfortable as it may be, clearly and honestly confronting the temptations and unclean desires that come to us is a powerful tool to help us resist them.

Ask Abba/Kes

"How does the Holy Virgin Mary protect us?"

She is the Mother of God and the Mother of Us All, and she was given the Covenant of Mercy that whatever mercy she asked God for our sakes He would grant her- even if any of us give so much as a cup of cold water in her name. This is why in our prayers the Our Father and the Virgin Mary prayer go hand in hand. 

She protects us if we love her and call on her name. In the Te’amire Maryam we see often that the angels of death would try to claim a soul who had paid her homage or who prostrated before her icon, and she would intercede for them to go to paradise. We must show her love first! Specifically, when we have decisions to make, we can ask her as we would ask our earthly mothers for guidance.

BIBLE QUIZ!

Through Hosea, God the Father uttered a prophecy about Egypt, where can it be found?

 

A Miracle of the Holy Virgin Maryam

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

Two women were traveling to the city of Rocamadour [France] for the feast day of Our Lady Mary, Mariham, Holy Virgin. While they were passing through a forest, thieves overtook them and stole their clothes and food. 

After the thieves divided up the bread they had stolen from the two women, their leader popped a piece of bread into his mouth.

When he tried to chew it, all of his teeth, including his molars, fell out of his mouth instantly.

His companions saw this miracle and were shocked. They worshiped God and revered Our Lady Mary, Mariham, Holy Virgin. Then, those thieves went with the two women to the church of Our Lady Mary, Mariham, Holy Virgin. There, they celebrated the feast, repenting of their sins and evil acts. All of this happened through the intercession of Our Lady Mary, Mariham, Holy Virgin, the Compassionate Mother of Light, and Mother of Mercy, the Performer of Miracles and Wonders.

May her prayer and her blessing be with your servant King Dawit, forever and ever, amen.

O Holy Virgin Maryam, pray for us!

LIJOCH! The Children's Corner

Memory verse : St. Matthew 2 : 20

Saying, ”Arise, take the young child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.”

ይበል:ግዕዝ (yibel Ge’ez)

Let's reclaim our forefathers’ language

Where does the Ge’ez word for ‘miracles’ come from? Let’s explore!

ተአምር te’amir - miracle, wonder, sign

The root verb is አመረ amere - to show, indicate, or make a sign.

From this is derived the noun ትእምርት ti’imirt, which can also take the form ተአምር te’amir, meaning a sign or miracle.

This verb also shows up in a few other common places, such as in the word ማእምር ma’imir - a learned or wise man, and the root of the title ሊቀማእምራን liqema’imiran (a title held by the late Kes Zacharias of Barbados). It also appears in the word for knowledge, understanding or intelligence, አእምሮት a’imirot.

ORTHODOX Q&A

What does Holy Communion do for you ?

Communion does several things to us. It unites us with God. Jesus said, “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him” (John 6:56). Holy communion assures us of eternal life. Jesus said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” (John 6:51). Communion also is a source of strength for life and for raising the quality of our lives. Jesus said, “The bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh”..... And… “he who eats me will live because of me” (John 6:51, 6:58). Communion gives us forgiveness of minor sins. Jesus said, “This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). Also, communion, when received properly, draws us together into the people of God, His church. It means we all become one with God and one with each other.

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

Egypt In The Bible

Introduction To The Coptic Orthodox Church: The Holy Family In Egypt by Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Miracle of the Holy Virgin Maryam: pemm.princeton.edu/en-us/stories/154

Orthodox Q&A

The Orthodox Church:455 Questions and Answers by Stanley S. Harakas

CONTACT US:

Archdiocese headquarters: Medhane Alem (Saviour of the World), Old Golden Grove Rd. Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago.

Tel. 868-642-4230.

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

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