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

Hymns (Mezmur)

Mezmur or a spiritual song is a form of worship in our Holy Church, which was inspired from God and was taught to us by our Father and priest, Kidus Yared.

St. Yared singing heavenly hymns.

"...speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...

Ephesians 5:19-20

Arbi Siqlet (Good Friday) Mezmurs

Medhanie Alem Kristos

Medhanie Alem Kristos be-qeraniyo siqul (2)
Belenī meharkuke
Belenī meharkukī
Be-inte Mariyam Dingil isme heir albo inbelieke qal (2)

English Translation:

Savior of the World, Christ, who was crucified on Qeraniyo (Golgotha)
Tell me I am forgiven
Tell me I am forgiven

For the sake of sake of Virgin Mary , for there is none who can grant forgiveness by their word other than You

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O Goytana men alo kemaka2x

Ni’ana kitibil ab Mesqel teseqīlka 2x

English Translation:

O our Lord, who is there like You,

For our sake, You were crucified on the Cross

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Nisiebiho nisiebiho leIgzīabhier 2x

Sibuha zete-sebiha, sibuha zete-sebiha 4x

Tigrinya Translation:

Nemesgino nemesgino niIgzīabhier 2x

Misgun'iyu zete-mesgene 4x

English Translation:

Let us praise Him, to God

He is to be praised, Who is praised

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Amanuel Temesgen

Aman b’aman /2/ ehe Amanuel Temesgen /2/

sigawī timnīt ina fetsemku

kab higī Amlak fitsum rehaku

haTiyatey rī;u key'qetsanī

nikinisah idme hibunī

(Chorus)

gidefi alem aytetalilini

dihri hijis chow dehan kuni

bni'isinety nab Igziabher

miqrab meritse kab ny alem neger

Aman b’aman /2/ ehe Amanuel Temesgen /2/

ab hatiat alem ztetsemedku

brhan idmekum keytsilmtekum

ny hatiat alem abu derbikum

agelgilu nhaimanotkum

Aman b’aman /2/ ehe Amanuel Temesgen /2/

gidefi alem aytetalilini

dihri hijis chow dehan kuni

bni'isinety nab Igziabher

miqrab meritse kab nay alem neger

Aman b'aman/2/ ehe Amanuel Temsegen /2/

English Translation:

Truly, truly Thank You Amanuel

While I was doing earthly things I was really far from God’s Law

He saw my sins and did not punish me

Instead He gave me time to repent/confess

Thank You Amanuel (Jesus Christ)

Stop World, do not hold me back

From now on, ciao be well

While I am still young, I am choosing to

Be close to God rather than earthly things

Thank You Amanuel (Jesus Christ)

Those of you that are doing earthly things

Live a bright life so that it does not become dark

Throw the earthly things away

Come help/serve your faith

Thank You Amanuel (Jesus Christ)

Amlake Qidusan

Amlake Qidusan Amlakine, Amlake Qidusan Nigusine(2x)

ītegdefine Teradine beMengistke Tezerekene(2x)

Igzitene Nitsri Habene, Igzitene Seali Lene(2x)

Selam Weldchi Yehalu mislene(2x)

Teklehaymonot Ab kulne, Teklehaymonot memherene(2x)

Barekene beMeskeleke Tezerekene beTseloteke(2x)

English Translation:

God of the Saints, Our God, God of the Saints our King

Do not leave us, have compassion on us. Remember us in Your Kingdom

Our Lady look at us, Our Lady pray for us

May your Son's peace be with us

Teklehaymonot father of us all, Teklehaymonot our teacher

Bless us with your Cross, Remember us in your prayers

Im-kulu Yi'heyis

Im-kulu yiheyis beSilaseke te'amenu(2)

Weladeteke Dingil,Weladeteke Temahtsenu (2)

Adhinenī Līte

Adhini līte isme albo halq Hier we-wihud haymanot im-getse midre, im-getse midre (2)

Mariam imu le-fiqur(4)

English Translation:

Save me O Lord, For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men,

Mary, the Mother of Love

*Psalm 12:1

Kulu Zefeqede

Kulu zefeqede gebre Igzīabhier(2)

Be-semayinī webe-midrinī webe-bahrinī webe-kulu Qelayat(4)(2)

English Translation:

“Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places.” Psalms 135:6-7

Isat Tserhu

Isat Tserhu Mai Teferu (2)

Demanat menkorakoru leMedhanie Alem (2)

English Translation:

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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Can we go to our school parties such as prom and homecoming?

We should not participate in any dance because dancing involves bodily movements which are sexually suggestive and can be classified under the heading of "lasciviousness or lewdness" (Gal 5:19-21). Surely a Christian would not want to engage in that type of activity. The close body contact or the erotic movements that characterize so many of the rock-oriented dances would arouse..... Read More »

53 people found this faq useful.

What is the meaning of life?

Life = Jesus Christ "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that..... Read More »

40 people found this faq useful.

Why do we kiss a priest's hand?

We kiss the hands of bishops and priests because in the context of the Divine Liturgy, the hands hold and distribute the holy Body and Blood of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ! This is an enduring and centuries old tradition in the Eastern Christendom that has a purely metaphorical connotation; of course, this is not to leave out..... Read More »

39 people found this faq useful.

Why aren't we allowed to date? Why can't we get married to someone who isn't Orthodox? Is it a sin, and if yes, why?

Dating, especially at school age or early college life is in itself very much related to lack of maturity. It is a relation not in due time and not according to God's natural laws. Solomon the wise prophet said, "To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the Heaven. A time to be born, and a..... Read More »

24 people found this faq useful.

What is our position on St. Mary and Immaculate Conception and what is it?

We believe the Virgin Mary is sinless (Free from the sin of Adam) Sin entered the world first when Adam and eve disobeyed God and ate from the tree that was not allowed for them to eat. Gen 2:16-17, Gen 3:1-24, Romans 6:23. After eating the tree of knowledge of good and evil, Adam and eve lost their . As..... Read More »

23 people found this faq useful.

How come Aboy keshi doesn’t dance? But they tell us it’s okay to dance?/How come the keshis leave right before the Guayla starst?/Can deacons dance?

The answer to this question is simple as our scholar father John Chrysostom said "The Law of the King [Fitha Negest] - A Christian must not go to a wedding {nuptial banquet] to clap his hand rhythmically or to dance with his feet; rather he shall eat in a quiet way as is proper to saint. Chapter 11. or 446..... Read More »

23 people found this faq useful.

Dancing and the Church -What does Guayla have to do with our Faith?

The Holy Bible mentions two types of dancing. The first is that in which King David, Miriam the prophetess, and others performed; triumphant type of jumping, skipping, and promenading before the Lord (2 Sam 6:14; Ex 15:20). The second is that in which individuals engaged for pure pleasure. It was done either as a show for others as with Herodias'..... Read More »

13 people found this faq useful.

What is the meaning of Fasika?

The Jews used the blood of the Calf and the curse of the death of the first born "passed over" them. Exodus 12 explains in more detail but I will put some verses from there here: "For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both..... Read More »

12 people found this faq useful.

In the Eritrean culture, dancing is an integral part of wedding celebrations. Is dancing in wedding receptions acceptable in the eyes of God and our Church?

The Holy Bible teaches us, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). It amazes me how after attending the beautiful Crowning Ceremony, witnessing the Holy Spirit come upon the couple to unite them to become one flesh and participating in all the prayers to the Lord to bless the couple, Christians turn around and forget all about..... Read More »

11 people found this faq useful.

What does our Church think about homosexuality?

By definition 'Homosexuality' is a predominant, persistent and exclusive psychosexual attraction toward members of the same sex. A homosexual person is one who feels a tendency to direct sexual desire towards another of the same sex. No one is born homosexual, nor is it something over which one has no control. It is a fact that our biological composition has..... Read More »

9 people found this faq useful.

Is it sinful for a female to kiss a male even if it feels good, satisfying and would be considered by me as a sign of affection and its not sex?

If kissing did not feel good no one would have the desire to do it. Like everything else in life there is a time and a season for everything. Kissing a guy who is not your husband is definitely wrong no matter how good it felt. Since you felt good this implies that you would not mind doing it again! And..... Read More »

9 people found this faq useful.

What did Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ do in the wedding in Cana of Galilee? Did HE dance?

If you read John 2:1-11 in the bible it states "on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.” ….Jesus *said..... Read More »

8 people found this faq useful.

Why can't a couple live together before getting married? Isn't it a good way of getting to know each other?

"Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Hebrews 13:4). Please rethink these questions as they are grievously erroneous. Marriage is a holy Sacrament, blessed and sanctified, whereby two become one before God, and with God; and vow to live their unified life. When a light is put out in a room,..... Read More »

8 people found this faq useful.

How come we can't dance? Didn't our father David/Dawit dance?

To be a Christian is to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ and follow His footsteps. In any situation we should learn to always ask ourselves 'What Would Jesus Do?" Our Lord said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me" (Mt 11:29). Do you think if He were with us today would He dance? Dancing is a worldly way..... Read More »

8 people found this faq useful.

Is betting a sin? What is the Holy Bible view on it?

There is a difference between betting and assigning a prize in a competition. Having contestants compete to win a prize in a competition is not a sin but betting on who is going to win is like gambling and is a sin. In dealing with each other the Holy Bible says, "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,..... Read More »

8 people found this faq useful.

What is our Church Fathers view on Dancing?

St. Ephrem, one of the oldest Fathers of the Church, said this: “Who invented the dances and balls? Was it St. Peter? Was it St. John or some of the Saints? Certainly not, but rather the Devil, the enemy of souls.” Further, he adds, “Where there are balls, the angels are sad and the devils are jubilant.” And also, “It..... Read More »

7 people found this faq useful.

Where in the Holy Bible is it stated that a believer should not get married to an unbeliever?

From the time of Moses, God not only forbade believers to marry unbelievers, but asked His people to destroy all the inhabitants of the land where they were going to lest they marry from among them; "and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the..... Read More »

6 people found this faq useful.

What is a man's role vs. a woman's role in a truly Christian marriage? Nowadays we live in difficult financial times and women have to work both inside and outside the home.

One of the beautiful services in our Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church is the Crowning Ceremony where the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony takes place. The readings of this ceremony give specific instructions regarding the role of both the bride and the bridegroom. The following biblical passages tells both the husband and wife how they should love and respect each other: Pauline letter..... Read More »

6 people found this faq useful.

What does "The man being the head of the wife" mean?

It means that as the Lord Jesus Christ is the head or governor of the church and the head of man; so is a man the head or governor of a woman. This, however, should not give a husband the license to exercise tyranny nor a woman manipulation. Wives should act under the authority of their husbands as the church..... Read More »

5 people found this faq useful.

How can we differentiate love and infatuation?

Infatuation is the emotions one may experience when first meeting someone. Although these feelings are strong, they are temporary, based on physical attraction, unreasonably passionate, and are about self-satisfaction. Infatuation easily allows for sinful behavior and temptations into a relationship and explicitly defy God’s commandments. We can learn this through the story of Samson who’s infatuation led to his downfall...... Read More »

5 people found this faq useful.

How can you determine if someone is right for you?

Let your heart be open to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Marriage is a spiritual act and it is a permanent one as well, so seeking the will of God requires prayer, fasting, and seeking guidance from your father of confession. Be persistent in prayer, fully willing to accept the will of God for you. Additionally, you know someone..... Read More »

5 people found this faq useful.

Is it okay if there is a 5 year age gap?

We see many examples of husbands being older than their wives in the Bible, starting from Adam and Eve and Abraham and Sara. Generally, it is advisable to have an age gap of a couple of years with the male being older. This is because women biologically and emotionally mature faster than men. Mental and emotional maturity is a very..... Read More »

5 people found this faq useful.

Can you get married in the court?

Marriage is one of the 7 sacraments of the church. A sacrament means God is accomplishing a spiritual work. In the marriage sacrament, you go into the church as two people, but you come out United as One Flesh in His eyes. When you put God first and have Him bless your marriage in this way, He will bless and..... Read More »

4 people found this faq useful.

What does submission look like? What are the roles of men and women in marriage?

In Ephesians 5, (we recommend you read the whole chapter) St Paul writes about the role of the woman and man in a marriage by likening this relationship to the one Christ has with the Church. How beautiful is that? Our ultimate example of a Godly marriage is following the example of our Lord and His Church. In verse 21,..... Read More »

4 people found this faq useful.

When picking the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, should their past be relevant when choosing?

It depends on what this “past” is. Everyone has a past, and everyone's a sinner. We all have situations that have shaped the person we are. As you are getting to know each other, your main focus should be whether this person will be a partner for you to enter the kingdom, to live a life of repentance and Holy..... Read More »

4 people found this faq useful.

What’s the family role when it comes to relationships?

Your relationship is your decision, but you cannot exclude your family from that decision. They should always support you in prayer. Also, it can be helpful to listen to advice from your family members especially during the courting stages, but you have to put your needs first because you will be the one living with your spouse. Once you are..... Read More »

4 people found this faq useful.

If there’s a spiritual connection, which draws me to them, what should I do?

In all things we do, we must pray and seek God first. It is important to seek God’s will and not rely on your emotions. It is recommended to go a period of time without communicating to that person so you can clearly listen to God and know what that connection means. Is it just an admiration, is it meant..... Read More »

3 people found this faq useful.

What is the significance of the number 41 in the EOTC?

In the name of the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen! What is the significance of the number 41 in the EOTC? According to the law, as written in Deuteronomy 25: 1-3, it was customary for the guilty to be punished 40 hits. “If there is a dispute between men, and they come to court, that..... Read More »

3 people found this faq useful.

Hymns for God (Nay Igzīabhier Mezmur)

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