We celebrate The Annunciation Feast, also known as the Feast of the Annunciation or the Solemnity of the Annunciation to commemorate the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and give birth to our lord and savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

the Annunciation took place when the angel Gabriel visited Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, in the town of Nazareth. Gabriel greeted Mary with the words "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you," and informed her that she had found favor with God. He then revealed to her that she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to a son, whom she was to name Jesus.

The Annunciation is a significant event in our Christian theology as it marks the beginning of the Incarnation, the belief that Jesus, the Son of God, took on human flesh and became incarnate in the womb of Mary. It is a celebration of the divine intervention in human history and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah.

The Nativity Feast in our Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, known as Genna or Lidet in Amharic, which typically falls on January 7th (or Tahsas 29th in the Ethiopian calendar).

Celebrated with great reverence and joy, the Nativity Feast is one of the most important religious observances our Ethiopian Orthodox tradition. It is preceded by a period of fasting lasting for 43 days, during which we abstain from meat and dairy products as a form of spiritual preparation.

On the eve of the Nativity Feast, special services are held in churches. The faithful gather for prayers, hymns, and readings from the Scriptures, recounting the story of the Nativity as described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

One of the distinctive customs of the Ethiopian Nativity celebration is the game of Ganna, a traditional sport played with sticks and balls reminiscent of field hockey. According to tradition, shepherds played this game to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and it has since become an integral part of the festive celebrations, especially in rural communities.

The Nativity Feast is also marked by acts of charity and generosity, with families and communities coming together to share meals, exchange gifts, and extend hospitality to those in need.

In our Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the feast of Theophany is known as "Timkat." This celebration commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, marking the manifestation of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Timkat is one of the most significant religious observances in Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, celebrated with great joy and reverence. It typically occurs on January 19th (or Tahsas 10th in the Ethiopian calendar) and lasts for multiple days.

During Timkat, elaborate ceremonies take place, including processions, prayers, hymns, and the blessing of water. Believers gather at churches adorned with colorful banners and sacred artifacts, carrying replicas of the Ark of the Covenant, which holds great symbolic importance in Ethiopian Orthodox theology.

The central event of Timkat is the reenactment of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River. Participants immerse themselves in blessed water, symbolizing the cleansing of sins and the renewal of baptismal vows. This act is accompanied by chanting, drumming, and joyful ululations, creating a vibrant atmosphere of spiritual exaltation.

Timkat is also a time for community bonding and hospitality, with families and friends coming together to share meals, exchange gifts, and extend hospitality to visitors. It is a celebration of faith, unity, and renewal, as believers reaffirm their commitment to Christ and his teachings.

In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Feast of the Transfiguration commemorates the event described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, where Jesus Christ was transfigured on Mount Tabor, revealing his divine glory to his disciples Peter, James, and John.

The feast typically falls on August 6th (or Nahase 29th in the Ethiopian calendar) and is celebrated with profound reverence and spiritual significance. we gather at churches adorned with colorful decorations, sacred artifacts, and vibrant banners to commemorate this sacred event.

During the Feast of the Transfiguration, special liturgical services are held, including prayers, hymns, and readings from the Scriptures recounting the account of Jesus' transfiguration. We reflect on the profound implications of this event, which affirmed Jesus' divinity and his role as the Son of God.

The Feast of the Transfiguration is a time for spiritual renewal, reflection, and awe as we contemplate the divine glory revealed in Jesus Christ. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of faith and the promise of salvation for all who believe.

Palm Sunday also known as "Hosanna" or "Hawsanna," commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

"Hosanna" typically falls on the Sunday before Easter, marking the beginning of Holy Week, a period of intense spiritual reflection leading up to Easter Sunday. It is celebrated with great joy and reverence as we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where crowds greeted him with palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

During the Palm Sunday liturgy, churches are adorned with palm branches, and we carry palm fronds as we reenact the procession into Jerusalem. Special prayers, hymns, and readings from the Scriptures recount the events of Jesus' entry into the holy city, emphasizing his role as the long-awaited Messiah.

Palm Sunday is also a time for the blessing of palm branches, which are distributed to the faithful as a symbol of victory, triumph, and the coming of the Kingdom of God. Believers carry these blessed palms home and display them in their houses as a sign of devotion and protection.

The Feast of Palm Sunday serves as a reminder of Jesus' kingship and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. It is a time for us to renew our commitment to Christ and to prepare our hearts for the solemn events of Holy Week, culminating in the celebration of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In our Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is commemorated with solemn reverence and deep spiritual reflection. This event is observed as the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry and the fulfillment of God's plan for the salvation of humanity.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church commemorates the crucifixion during Holy Week, particularly on Good Friday, which is known as "Siklet" in Amharic. On this day, laities gather in churches adorned with symbols of mourning and engage in special liturgical services that recount the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion, including the Last Supper, the betrayal by Judas Iscariot, and Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate.

During the Good Friday liturgy, the faithful participate in prayers, hymns, and readings from the Scriptures, focusing on Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, and death on the cross. The atmosphere is one of solemnity and penitence as believers reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the magnitude of God's love for humanity.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church also observes fasting and abstinence on Good Friday, with believers refraining from consuming food and drink until the solemn services are concluded. This fasting is seen as an act of spiritual discipline and solidarity with Jesus Christ in his suffering and death.

Good Friday is a time for believers to contemplate the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and to meditate on the profound implications of his death for the forgiveness of sins and the reconciliation of humanity with God. It is a day of deep introspection, repentance, and gratitude for the immense gift of salvation through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Easter, known as "Fasika," is the most important and joyous celebration of our faith. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as described in the Gospels of the New Testament.

It is preceded by a period of fasting known as "Hudadi" or "Tsome Nebiyat" (the fast of the prophets), lasting for 55 days, during which believers abstain from meat and dairy products as a form of spiritual preparation.

On Easter Eve, believers gather in churches adorned with candles, flowers, and colorful decorations to participate in special liturgical services. The most significant of these services is the Easter Vigil, which begins in the late evening and continues into the early hours of Easter Sunday.

After the Easter Vigil, believers return home to break their fast with a festive meal, which typically includes traditional dishes such as doro wot (spicy chicken stew), injera (sourdough flatbread), and other delicacies.

Easter Sunday is a day of joy, celebration, and renewal as believers rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life. It is a time for family gatherings, fellowship, and acts of charity, as believers reflect on the significance of Christ's victory over death and the hope that it brings to all humanity.

In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Feast of  Ascension commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, as described in the New Testament book of Acts.

Ascension is observed 40 days after Easter Sunday, marking the conclusion of the 40-day post-resurrection period during which Jesus appeared to his disciples before ascending to heaven. This feast holds significant theological importance as it affirms Jesus' exaltation and his continued presence with his followers through the Holy Spirit.

On the day of Ascension believers gather in churches adorned with colorful decorations to participate in special liturgical services. These services include prayers, hymns, and readings from the Scriptures, focusing on the biblical accounts of Jesus' ascension and the promises he made to his disciples before his departure.

One of the central themes of the Feast of the Ascension is the commissioning of the disciples to continue Jesus' mission of proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples of all nations. This commission is symbolized by the ascended Jesus giving his disciples the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Feast of the Ascension is also a time for believers to reflect on the promise of Jesus' return and the hope of eternal life that he has secured for all who believe in him. It is a day of joy and celebration as believers rejoice in the exaltation of Jesus Christ and his ongoing work of redemption in the world.

In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Feast of Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the birth of the Christian Church, as described in the New Testament book of Acts.

Pentecost is observed 50 days after Easter Sunday, marking the culmination of the Easter season. It is celebrated with great joy and reverence as believers remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the apostolic mission to spread the Gospel to all nations.

One of the central themes of the Feast of Pentecost is the empowerment of the apostles and the birth of the Christian Church as a community of believers united by the Holy Spirit. This empowerment is symbolized by the manifestation of tongues of fire resting upon the apostles and their ability to speak in languages they had not previously known, enabling them to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ to people from every nation.

The Feast of Pentecost is also a time for believers to reflect on the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in their lives and in the life of the Church. It is a day of renewal, inspiration, and empowerment as believers recommit themselves to living lives filled with the fruits of the Spirit and bearing witness to the love and power of Jesus Christ.

Beloved children of God, may the blessings of the divine be upon you as you've been attentively following along with our lesson!

Next we wil learn about minor church feasts!