NEBAB #30: The Fast of Nineveh
NEBAB #30
The Orthodox Tewahedo Magazine
THE FAST OF NINEVEH
The Spiritual Education Unit
Ethiopian Orthodox Church
Archdiocese of the Caribbean and Latin America
In this issue:
1. The Prophet Jonah and His Book
2. Jonah, Nineveh and Us
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 Prophet Jonah and His Book
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen.
Jonah, according to the Book of Jonah, was the son of Amittai. He lived in the eighth century before Christ and he was born in the city of Gath-hepher in the land of Zebulun, five miles north of Nazareth. We know from (2 Kings 14:25) that he prophesied in Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II (782-753 BC). At the beginning of his mission he was known and loved because he foretold Israel’s victory and the restoration of its original borders (from Hamath in the north to the sea in the south). God allowed him to remain a prophet over Israel. During Jeroboam’s reign the land of Israel was extremely fertile (2 Kings 14:24) and God blessed both Israel and Judah with abundance. The people, however, took this for granted. During Jonah’s mission Assyria was being attacked by the Orarto mountain tribes.
There was no war in the West of Palestine until the coming of Tiglath-pileser III in 745 BC, who re-established Assyria’s power.
While Assyria was under pressure, Israel prospered and continued to protect its fortresses, strengthen its defenses and fortified cities and build up its army through diplomacy with other nations. When the kingdom of Israel heard that Jonah was proclaiming God’s judgement on Nineveh, they treated Jonah as a national hero. But Israel did not realize that God was free to deal with Assyria kindly and transfer His wrath to Israel, this seemed utterly unjust. The name Jonah means dove. The sources of information about him are the book of the same name, the references in 2 Kings 14:25 concerning his mission and the New Testament books where Christ referred to his stay in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights as a picture of himself. Jonah was a contemporary of the prophets Amos, Hosea and Micah.
Israel’s prophet had been called by God to proclaim judgment on the city of Nineveh
because of its increasing sinfulness, but Jonah had tried to escape this mission. He boarded a ship going to Tarshish, that is Cilicia, in Asia Minor, not in disdain of God’s mission, but, as proved later, because he knew God would relent and have mercy on Nineveh and as a consequence Jonah’s position would become precarious. At the same time he was afraid of being treated harshly by the Assyrians. Jonah boarded the ship and fell asleep and God raised a great storm that began to sink the ship. Finally the sailors discovered Jonah’s secret and Jonah suggested that they throw him overboard to calm the sea and save the ship, which they did. God brought a whale, said to be of the ‘Zafa’ species, with a throat as wide as a tomb’s entrance, and the whale swallowed him. God miraculously kept Jonah alive for three days and three nights. The whale finally vomited him onto the shore. Then Jonah agreed to go to Nineveh. He went to Nineveh and three times proclaimed the judgment of destruction that would befall the city in forty days. But Nineveh, its king and all its people repented and declared a fast. Nineveh in the book of Jonah is called “that great city” meaning a city with boundaries (Gen 10:11,12). It is one of the cities the Assyrian kings has ruled from since 1100 BC. The description of its size and huge population in the book of Jonah agrees with other historical information. At that time Nineveh had sunk into debauchery, corruption and evil not less than that of Sodom and Gomorrah. The prophet Nahum spoke concerning the extent of its debauchery. Jonah appeared in Nineveh during the days of one of the following known kings: Nerari III (810-783 BC), Shalmaneser IV (782-773 BC), Assyr-dan III (772-755 BC), Assyr-nerari V (754-745) or Tiglath-pileser III (744-727 BC). If the time of Jonah’s entry to Nineveh was during the reign of King Assyr-dan III, a plague is seen by the Assyrians as symbolizing God’s anger and thus preparing them for Jonah’s message.
Jonah, Nineveh and Us
Since the Church regulations have always been divinely inspired, it is not in vain that the Church has established this blessed fast at this special time.
You know that we are approaching the Holy Forty Days Fast. Here the words are intensely resolute and directive. The words “forty days” have a special importance because we are approaching a death that Christ went through for the sake of all humanity. It is in other words Christ’s death in exchange for the destruction of humanity. All of humanity was under threat of destruction and annihilation in no lesser way in Christ’s day than when the world was annihilated by the forty days flood, which came on it because of the escalation of sin at that time. The impending crisis led the Blessed Son to leave His glory, put on humanity, and suffer to save the world. He offered Himself for destruction in place of humanity, then rose from the dead, so that His death and resurrection would become an endless source of repentance and salvation. He became a sign for whoever desires it- not just so that men could have a sign from heaven: “We wish to see a sign from you”
(Matt 12:38) but so that they could inherit heaven itself. It was Christ’s death and resurrection, and the Forty Days Fast the Lord undertook for the sake of all humanity, that was the payment for every shortcoming in piety or fasting. Those of you who are church men and women will know from the hymns of the feast of the Divine Manifestation, that Baptism is only completed by total immersion in water three times, as in the story of Jonah’s descent into the depths of the sea. For this reason, we see that Christ’s anointing to serve came at the moment he rose out of the water, as did the encouragement to commence the forty days fast. If we skip ahead in time, or follow the Church ritual, we enter immediately into the week of suffering, then of death and resurrection. How wonderful are these powerful signs and how magnificent is the Church that, with the right touch, can designate a fast or a special feast! These definitions are inspirational and visionary to whoever wants to listen or see, and who are not like the Scribes and Pharisees, who asked the Lord to show them a sign whilst ignoring the signs that had already been given. Jonah speaks to us of the Christ who came from afar, and Nineveh severely reproaches us: “The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it…An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah” (Matt 12:41,39)
Faith and Works:
Sackcloth and Ashes
Jonah’s prayer is a new psalm for those on their way to Golgotha, one that is surely echoed in heaven by all the spirits that are justified in glory. It is a new stairway by which we may ascend and catch a glimpse of the glory that awaits us.
- Recite Jonah’s prayer found in Jonah 2:2-9 during the 3 day fast
- Contemplate and compare this with Christ’s words on the cross Matthew 27:46 and Matthew 20:19
- Contemplate on how we should pray in our troubles using Jonah’s example as a “complaint of thanksgiving”
Surely this is how the kingdom of heaven may be seized, through prayer, like Jonah’s prayer in the depth of the Pit.
Ask Abba/Kes
"What is meant by “this generation” in Matt 12:41,39?"
“This generation” does not merely mean the times of Christ’s generation, as most who explain it say, but “this generation” also means every evil and adulterous generation. Every generation has the evildoer and adulterer and is therefore “this generation.” Christ’s generation was the Apostle’s generation and is the generation that has continued in us and through us right up till now. The Church has continued from Christ and the Apostles up till this present day. It is one generation, Christ’s generation, designated as the generation that will witness to Christ until the last day of humanity’s history. It is an extended generation that is pure, holy and good. As for the other generation, it is the generation of Cain, the generation of judas, the crucifying generation and it is also a generation that extends till the present day. Judas and the crucifier still exist in it.
BIBLE QUIZ!
What did God say He was punishing Solomon for by dividing Israel?
A Miracle of the Holy Virgin Maryam
Ethiopian Theotokos Icon from the 1300's
NOTE: This translation into English is a rough draft
May her prayer be with her beloved [Gabra Iyasus] forever and ever. Amen.
Dear church, listen to the miracle, wonder, and great power Our lady Mary did for a certain king[, Dawit I], her son’s beloved and her servant. This is just one of the many miracles, wonders, and marvels she performed for him. These miracles fill the listeners’ hearts with joy and make congregations marvel.
The following is the first miracle Our Lady Mary performed for this king.
When he was enthroned on the throne of his fathers, David and Solomon, the king sent [a message] to the saints, all believers in all the regions of his reign, including all the churches, monasteries, islands, and caves, [those] battling in fasting and prayer, and by wearing [abrasive] hair shirts, chain cinctures, goatskins, and mantles.
The king said, “Listen all saints, who have received the Lord’s Spirit rather than the spirit of the world. Our Lord says in the kingdom’s Gospel, ‘Blessed are the pure hearted, for they shall see God.’ Dear blessed ones, please pray to the Most High Lord and to my Lady, the crown of my pride, the adornment of my splendor, the Virgin Mary. My prayer is that the Lord grant me long days in my reign, grant me all my wishes, and never put me to shame in what I have hoped.”
He sent this and words like these to all the saints in their places and caves. The king’s messengers delivered the message to the ascetics and returned quickly.
But they brought back a terrifying message from the churches and islands, both near and far.
Their words were in unison. When the king heard how their messages were similar and united, he was amazed.
He left his throne quickly and prayed for a long time, as was his custom.
When he finished his prayer, he sent messengers to bring his general, who was his advisor.
This general was in charge of teaching the governors and disciplining the rulers on behalf of the king.
The general arrived and bowed down before the king. When he saw the king sad and gloomy, he became fearful and avoided asking anything. Instead, he remained on the ground, prostrated.
Then the king said, “Haven't you heard? The messengers whom we sent to the saints are back.”
The general asked, “What news did they bring, your majesty? I see that your bright and glorious countenance has become gloomy and sad.”
The king replied, “They brought scary and terrifying news, which shatters the bones and eviscerates the bowels. They brought me news that separates the body from the soul and tears the joints apart.”
The general said, “Your majesty, please, tell me this news that came to you.”
The king said, “This is the news that came to me from all the saints in unison: ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Hosts, your days on the earth have ended. Now, build a house for yourself and hand your kingdom over to your son. Very soon you will pass from this world.’”
After listening to the king, the general replied, “Don't let your majesty’s heart be afraid because of this. Rather, listen to what [I,] your servant, has thought in his heart.”
The king replied, “All right, speak so that I might know whether it will be good or bad for me.”
The general said, “This is my advice. Let us say ‘No!’ to this message that came to us.”
The king heard the general’s advice and sent a message to his confessor, Aqabe Saat Saraqa Berhan[, the Abbot of Dabra Hayq during Dawit's reign], saying, “Come, my teacher. I am in great trouble.”
When Aqabe Saat Saraqa Berhan came, the king left his throne to receive him in honor and exaltation. He said to Aqabe Saat Saraqa Berhan, “Please take a seat, our teacher. Take a seat.”
The Aqabe Saat replied, “What happened to you? Why did you call me?”
The king told his confessor everything about the sad and lamentable news that had come from all the saints, and about how his general told him to respond ‘No!’ to the message.”
When the king’s confessor heard the king’s words, he became very sad.
Then he asked the general, “How can we say ‘No!’ to the Living God’s word, which was spoken by his chosen ones from eternity?”
The general replied, “I don’t say ‘No!’ in pride and haughtiness. Rather, it is because I know that the Lord is merciful and compassionate. Far from anger, abounding in mercy, and righteous. He forgives sin. He relieves [people from their] troubles. He gave Hezekiah longevity. He saved the Ninevites from destructive death. Therefore, don't let my lord the king’s heart be scared. Rather, like Hezekiah’s lamentation and the Ninevites, let us pray and supplicate in tears and sighs, wearing sackcloth and sitting on ashes so that the Lord might forgive us and have compassion on us.”
The king’s confessor said, “I am impressed by your advice and really like what you are saying. We should carry out your advice.”
The king and his confessor were in agreement on this advice.
So, the king left his throne and royal honor and wore sackcloth and sat on ashes. His confessor and his general followed suit and wore sackcloth and sat on ashes. The king lamented [while sitting] in sackcloth and ashes for seven days.
On the seventh day, Our Lady Mary, Holy Twofold Virgin, the Mother of God, in Hebrew Mariham, came in great glory. Multitudes of the heavenly army were following her!
She said [to the king], “Greetings, my dear and my son’s beloved. I have come because you called me in fervent love and meditation. Why are you lamenting and crying this much? My dear, your prayer and supplication has come before the Lord.”
The king told her everything about the news from the saints.
Our Lady Mary Mariham replied, “Everything they told you is true. None of them was lying. But when my son saw your tears and sighs and that of your confessor’s and your servant’s—especially the servant who strongly desired this [penitential] lament and sign—he forgave you. Your God has forgiven and absolved you. I also have begged my son regarding your longevity. He has given you longevity to see your children’s children. The heavenly kingdom is also prepared for you and for all your children from your loins. I have received and established this covenant for you from my son, his Father and his Holy Spirit.”
After telling him this good news, she ascended into heaven in great glory.
May the prayer and supplication of Our Lady Mary Mariham be with her beloved Habta Iyasus forever and ever. Amen. Amen.
My dear Lady Mary, in Hebrew Mariham,
Daughter of venerable shepherds,
As you accepted the prayer and supplication of your beloved Dawit,
Up to appearing to him vividly and spoke with him openly,
Also to me, Gabra Iyasus your servant, who preaches your miracles in fields and courtyards,
Grant me to complete seven hundred years,
Until St. Michael blows the horn [of the Second Coming].
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Let all in heaven and earth say, forever and ever, amen.
O Holy Virgin Maryam, pray for us!
LIJOCH! The Children's Corner
Memory verse: Jonah 1:2
Arise,go to Nineveh, that great city,and cry,against it;for their wickedness is come up before me.
ይበል:ግዕዝ (yibel Ge’ez)
Let's reclaim our forefathers’ language
አድኅነነ
adhinene
Adhinene comes from the root verb ድኅነ dihne - to be saved. As with ጠመቀ Temeqe and አጥመቀ aTmeqe (see Nebab #28 nebabmagazine.blogspot.com/2025/01/nebab-28-baptism-of-our-lord-timket.html), here we can see the root verb ድኅነ dihne being transformed by adding the prefix አ- a- to create what is called the causative.
In earlier issues (nebabmagazine.blogspot.com/2024/10/nebab-19-season-of-flowers-zemene-tsige.html) we learned about adding the prefix ተ- te- to make the passive form of a verb, and this is the same system. While the passive turns the subject (the doer of the verb) into the object (the receiver of the action), the causative indicates that the subject is causing the action to happen. In this case ድኅነ dihne - to be saved, becomes አድኀነ adhane - to cause (someone) to be saved, or simply, to save (someone). The causative is one of the most common forms in Ge'ez and it will be useful to be able to recognise it in the future.
This verb also gives us words like ድኅና dihna or ዳኅና dahna - health, wellness or safety. It also gives us common words like መድኀኒት medhanit - medicine or redemption, መድኀኔ ዓለም medhane alem - the Saviour of the World, and ድኅነት dihnet - salvation (as in ጾመ ድኅነት tsome dihnet - the fast of salvation)
ORTHODOX Q&A
"What is Repentance?"
Repentance is a turning towards God.
As sin is separation from God, repentance then is returning to God.* God says: “Return to me, and I will return to you” (Mal 3:7).
When the prodigal son repented, he returned to his father (Luke 15:18-20).
True repentance is a human longing to the origin from which it was taken. It is the desire of a heart that stayed away from God, and felt that it cannot go any further away. · For as sin is disputing with God, so repentance is reconciliation with God. * This is what our teacher Saint Paul stated about his apostolic work, saying: “Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading by us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God” but through it God returns and dwells in the human heart transforming it to a heaven.
As for those non-repentant, how can God dwell in their hearts while the sin is dwelling therein? The Bible says, “What communion has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14).
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
The Prophet Jonah and His Book: Jonah’s Fast - Father Matta El Meskeen
Jonah Nineveh and Us: Jonah’s Fast - Father Matta El Meskeen
Ask Kes: Jonah’s Fast - Father Matta El Meskeen
Orthodox QnA: Jonah’s Fast - Father Matta El Meskeen
Miracle of the Holy Virgin Mary: pemm.princeton.edu/en-us/stories/354
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
Comments
Post a Comment