Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Diocese of the U.S.A and Canada – Sunday School Membership Fee

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 »

19 people found this faq useful.

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 »

19 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 »

16 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 »

12 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 »

10 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 »

10 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 »

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 »

7 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 »

7 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 »

7 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 »

7 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 »