Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Diocese of the U.S.A and Canada – Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday | Hosa'ina

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

The eighth Sunday "Hosa'ina=ሆሳዕና"/Savior: Palm Sunday ( St John 12: 12-19)

Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of

the Lord! O King of Israel , Hosanna in the Highest!

Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord; We bless you from the house of the Lord.

God is the Lord and has appeared unto us. Psalm 117: 26, 27

This is the eighth and final Sunday in the Great Lent Fast and is called Hosanna on Palm Sunday. This day is to commemorate our Lord's final journey into Jerusalem riding on a colt the foal of a donkey whilst the people acknowledged him as the son of David, King, coming in the name of the Lord and placing palms under him. The whole event teaches us that Christ our Lord the good shepherd was about to lay down his life for the sheep. Christ had observed all the laws and was about to observe the Passover feast in Jerusalem and fulfill all righteousness. For Christ is to become our Passover, a pure sacrifice. The Lamb of God is about to be offered for us all and become the true eternal king of body soul and spirit. This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 "Say to the Daughter of Zion , 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

"Hosanna to the Son of David!

'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'

Hosanna in the highest!"

Yes come all of you to see the wonderful thing which was done in the house of prayer when the high priest entered within the veil of which all said that it was the dwelling place of the Deity and the concealing of all thoughts. The lord of lords and spirits entered therein riding up one the lowly colt of an ass.He revealed His Divinity to all the infants who said, blessed is the He who comes in the name of the Lord, and blessed are you, Lord, God of gods, and king of Israel .

Reading related to this Day.

Luke 19 : 1 11; Psalm 121 : 1, 2; Matthew 20 : 29 finish; Psalm 147 : 1, 2; Mark 10 : 46 finish; Psalm 117 : 27, 28; Luke 18 : 35 finish; Psalm 67 : 34; Matthew 9 : 26 finish; Psalm 9 : 11, 12; Matthew 21 : 1 18; Psalm 8 : 2; Mark 11 : 1 13; Psalm 49 : 1, 2; Luke 19 : 28 finish; Psalm 80 : 3, 4; John 12 : 12 20; Hebrews 9 : 11 finish; 1Peter 4 : 1 12; Acts 28 : 11 finish; Psalm 8 : 2; John 5 : 11 31

Misbak of this Sunday

Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger. PSALM 8:2

Glory Be to God

And to His Virgin Mother

And to the Glorious Cross

Amen!

Dn. Medhaine

Church Season

Beginning on the 25th of Sene and lasting until the 26th of Meskerem of the Ge’ez calendar is the Rainy Season or Zemene Kiremt. During this time we remember God’s provision of food to all creatures. As it’s written in the Psalms 147:8-9 “Who covers the heaven with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow upon the mountains. He gives to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.” The rainy season is symbolic to the age that human beings spend on earth. This season is sometimes referred to as winter. St Paul writes in 2nd Timothy 4:21 “Do your best to get here before winter.” During the winter season we see the farmer going through all hardships to prepare his farm during this season. He has faith that he will get adequate rainfall for his crops so he labors tirelessly during this season. This refers to our lives, our faith should be like the farmer--we must tirelessly labor on earth and have faith that God will provide. Our work, though, is for the heavenly kingdom. David in his Psalm 126:5-6 ties this meaning beautifully, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Also our church teaches the formation of rain happens through the evaporation and condensation process. This was clearly stated by Aba Giorgis ze-Gasīcha around 14th century AD (G.C) in his famous book Se’atat, “He who contains the waters, scatters the thin fog. He raises the water from the lakes and brings it down from the heights of the sky.” All the readings of this season show how God provides for His creation.

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