Come celebrate Megabit Medhanialem with us!
This year’s celebration coincides with a significant moment in the liturgical calendar of the Christian faith. The event falls on a Friday, a day traditionally dedicated to reflecting on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
On this day, we remember how He willingly chose to carry His cross, despite being severely beaten and abused. We remember how He wore a crown of thorns, causing Him excruciating pain. We remember how He was crucified on a wooden cross, without being separated from His flesh, all for the sake of our salvation.
We remember how He descended into hell and saved the souls of the prisoners. This is a reminder of the depth of His love for us, and the lengths that He was willing to go to save us from our sin and death.
What makes this year's observance even more significant is its placement within the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar. It falls between the week dedicated to remembering Jesus Christ's miraculous healing of the paralytic man and the following week of Debre Zeyet, a major celebration in Ethiopia.
Debre Zeyet holds greater weight than simply marking the midpoint of Lent. It's a time to remember the second coming of Jesus Christ, and many observe this day by engaging in good works: providing meal for the hungered, providing water for those thirsty, practicing hospitality, clothing those who lack, and reaching out to those who are sick or imprisoned.
The services include hymns, prayers, and scripture readings focused on the theme of Jesus Christ's sacrifice and its significance in our lives.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is one of the oldest Christain denomination in the world, with roots dating back to the first century AD. On the eve of major holidays, the Church holds special services known as vigils that are filled with prayers and hymns.
These hymns are chanted in Ge'ez, the ancient liturgical language of Ethiopia, and are known for their beautiful melodies and poetic language. They are also a powerful expression of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's faith.
After the hymns have been chanted, the Holy Liturgy takes place. The Liturgy is a sacred service that includes prayers, readings from the Bible, and the Holy Communion.
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