ታኅሣሥ | Tahisas
Tahisas 3 | December 12
On this day we commemorate the entrance of our holy Lady, the Virgin, Saint Mary, the Theotokos, into the Temple when she was three years old, for she was dedicated to God. Her mother, Anna (Hannah), was childless. The women who were in the Temple stayed away from her. She was exceedingly sad and so was her husband Joachim who was a blessed old man. She prayed to God fervently and with a contrite heart saying, "If You give me a fruit, I will devote the child to Your Holy Temple." God answered her prayers and she brought forth this pure saint and called her Mary.
Tahisas 19 | December 28
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church commemorates the faith of the Three Holy Youths-Ananias, Azarias, and Misael-who were miraculously saved by The Archangel Saint Gabriel after being thrown into a fiery furnace in Babylon for refusing to worship an idol. This event is celebrated with special church services, prayers, and hymns that honor their steadfast faith and God's deliverance.
Daniel 3:19-25
"Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."
Tahisas 24 | January 2
On ታኅሣሥ 24 or January 2nd, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates the birth of the Ethiopian Saint Tekle Haymanot. Abune Tekle Haymanot devoted his whole life to God, spreading the gospel, and performing miracles all throughout Ethiopia. The most known story about him is of the 6 wings he was given by God and how he lost his foot from standing for so long praising God. The stories of his life exemplified unwavering faith, humility, and selflessness through countless acts of service. He is probably the only Ethiopian saint officially celebrated in foreign churches such as Greek and Rome. He has a monthly feast on the 24th day of every month in the Ethiopian calendar (which is the same as the Coptic calendar and derived from it). He performs many miracles daily in the lives of His children.
Isaiah 40:31
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
On the 24th of Kiahk, "Sarah" gave birth to a beautiful son and called him "The happiness of Sehioun", or " The happiness of the churches" There were many miracles done by him; like when he talked when he was only 3 days old. He was baptized on his 40th day.
After a year and a half, there was a terrible famine that his parents couldn't make the following feast for Michael the Archangel. One day, the mother was praying to God so that she could do anything for the feast of the Archangel. While she was carrying her baby, he wiped her tears and pointed to the kitchen where some flour in a plate were present. He put his hands in the flour and it poured and poured, that the mother gathered every container she had in the house. And the same happened with the ghee, oil and honey. This was on the 12th of Baramhat.
May the intercession and prayer of the Holy Abune Teklehaymanot be with all of us, Amen.
Tahisas 29 | January 7
In the beginning, the story of Jesus finds its roots in the fall of Adam and Eve. The disobedience in the Garden of Eden introduced sin into the world, creating a separation between humanity and God. Yet, even in this moment of despair, a glimmer of hope emerged. In Genesis 3:15, God declared, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." This was the first promise of a future Redeemer who would reconcile mankind with God.
As centuries passed, prophecies echoed through the Old Testament, foretelling the birth of a Messiah. Micah 5:2 declared, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Isaiah 7:14 further prophesied, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
The culmination of these prophecies unfolded in the humble town of Bethlehem. In Luke 2:6-7, we witness the fulfillment: "So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." The nativity of Jesus Christ prophesied through the ages, marked the fulfillment of God's promise to reconcile and redeem a fallen world through the birth of the Savior.
Luke 2:11-12
"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger."