Establishment of Geez Speaking family celebrated

Translated by Derib

Scholars underscored that creating a sense of nationalism is necessary to develop the Geez language. The scholars who attended the discussion organized by the Addis Ababa University Geez Society, held on March 7, 2009, at Pushkin Cultural Center, stated that the efforts being exerted to keep Geez, one of the classical languages in the world, alive are encouraging. Prof. Baye Yimam, a linguistics professor at Addis Ababa University, commented that Geez should be seen as a national heritage, and should not always be tied to religion. “It is common to associate Arabic with Islam and Geez with Orthodox faiths. However it is important to develop and use the languages by distinguishing between their spiritual values and secular uses,” he said.  In this regard, Prof Baye added, the efforts of the Geez Society of Addis Ababa University in developing and the language are very encouraging.

Ato Belay Woldesenbet, member of the Main Committee of the Geez Speaking Family, explained that the establishment of the family started in 2000 at AAU as a club, but later it changed its name to The Geez Society and now the society has started its activities with a new name : Geez  Speaking Family.  The objective of the Geez Speaking Family is to promote Geez in different ways and pass the language to the next generation. The society needs the help of the government, society and other aid organizations for the success of its mission, At Belay added. He also stated the role of the Church in developing the language:  “Though we say that Geez belongs to us all, it is the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church that has preserved the books and the alphabets of the language. This role of the Church is priceless and irreplaceable.”  Efforts will be made to make the language throughout the nation, according to Ato Belay.

A research paper was presented by Mhr. Dessie Keleb, Chair  and founder of the family  and a philology lecturer at Addis Ababa University. Participants discussed issues raised during the presentation. Adult members of the society presented Geez songs (wereb) and  qine  while children presented conversations in Geez at the discussion at which a lot of participants attended.

Currently, the Geez Speaking family has more than two thousand members. It teaches Geez via internet using platak every Saturday at 10:00 P.M. and via FM 102.1 on Sheger Radio.  It is also teaching Geez freely in churches, monasteries, and on Google Newspaper and on other media.

Mahbere Kidusan report states that the majority of projects completed in the first four months

Translated by Derib

The Social Service and Development Main Department of Mahibere Kidusan reported that the majority of projects planned to be implemented in the first four months of the fiscal year in the various churches and monasteries of different diocese have been completed. The Department also announced that it has gained more than one million Birr to accomplish the ongoing and new projects.  

According to the Social Service Department, the bee keeping project of Sayko Kidane Mihret , the grounding mill project of Boreda Monastery of Jordan and Zur Aba Abun Aregawi Center of Zimare Mewasi’it have been completed. More than seventy percent of the dairy development at Zway Hamere Berhan Church, the irrigation and vegetable farm at Bale Mekane Hywot, the tailoring project at Akaki Aba Samuel, the construction of  traditional school building at Abelti St. Kidane Mihret, the construction of church building at Hamar Beshada Church, the beekeeping at Endachege and Monastry of Jesus projects has been completed. The construction of Kindergarten building at Kesate Berhan,  the dairy development at Addis Alem St. Mary, the grounding mill project at Blate St. Micheal and Kiltu Kara, the cattle fattening project at Asebot monastery and other projects are going very well, the Department added.

It was learned that a revision work has been done on the dairy development at Addis Alem St. Mary and Kiltu Kara grounding mill projects. New dairy development projects for Asela Debir Kidus Debre Meaza Abune Tekle Haymanot  and Debre Wogeg Asebot Monastery have been studied and sent to the Implementation Department.

The Department reported that in addition to these activities, it is supporting 21 teachers and 382 students in 8 traditional schools by giving from 50-350 Birr per month. Support in the form of alms, priests’ uniform, and various church articles for various churches has been extended. Books have been donated to Lomi St. Michael Church and other four churches and Sunday schools.

The report prepared by the Department shows that the “Donate a book” program was successful and the Department is promoting its activities to the Mahibere Kidusan Centers abroad so as to get funds for the various projects it runs. Training was given to all the centers to create awareness and professional support was given for the survey research on parish churches by the Central Administration of the EOTC.

The report states that of the more than one million Birr gained in the first four months, 941,613. 00 Birr was collected  in cash and the remaining in kind from the laity living abroad and various associations. The Department stated that the money will be used to implement the various undergoing and new projects it runs and asked for all rounded support from the laity and associations.

Participants underscored that producing youth who can take over the Church service should be given attention

The participants of the Parish Administration Seminar held from 16-17 February, 2009, underlined that producing youth who can take over the Church service should be given attention.  In the statement that they produced at the end of the seminar organized by the EOTC Patriarchal Office, the participants stated that it is necessary to strengthen the various Church structures starting from the Sunday School Department with the appropriate human resources. They asked for a proper implementation of the Kale Awadi as it was found that not less than thirteen sections have not been used so far. They mentioned that The education given in the traditional schools lacks modernization and Gospel preaching. 

The participants suggested that traditional teachers be transferred with their budget form the areas where there are plenty to those areas where there are few, traditional education be given in the languages of the areas where the schools are found, and Gospel preaching be included as part of he education. They mentioned that the education given in the traditional schools lacks modernization and Gospel preaching.

The participants humbly requested that an instruction be disseminated stating that financial expenses should be made only as per the budget in all structures of the Church. It was also requested that an editorial committee be set up to correct mistakes that occur in the production and distribution of Gospel preaching and church songs in audio tape, CD, VCD and DVD formats. Concerned bodies have to work towards opening distribution centers of newspapers, holy scriptures and magazines.

Eleven papers that are believed to help the Church maintain its Dogmas, Cannons and traditions were presented on the seminar. More than one thousand participants attended the seminar including His Holiness Abune Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, Bishop of Axum, Echege to the See of Tekle Haimanot, and President of the World Council of Churches, ministers in parishes of various dioceses and Sunday school representatives.

His Holiness Abune Paulos stated that, “This seminar has  proved to be of a higher importance as it has helped us to see the problems in the Church and get suggestions to solve them. Our forefathers laid a strong basis for the parish administration council. We have to thank them and deliver our responsibility which they have passed on to us.” His Holiness added that every participant of the seminar should carryout his responsibility to this end.

Debrehamelmal Monastery Requires Urgent Aid!

Translated by Dn. Teklebirhan Ze Arsema

Debrehamelmal Bahir Kidanemihret Monastery which is under the Waghemra diocese and located at a distance of 50 km from Sekota town requires urgent help, the abbot of the monastery stated.

As the abbot of the monastery Aba Woldeamanuel reported to Seme’atsedk, as a result of the drought occurred in the area, the crop production stopped completely and the monks are exposed to a range of problems. Besides, since there is no adequate shelter for the monks and even the existing ones are not renewed, the monks are exposed to malaria. On top of that, even if shelter problem is mentioned as a sole one, food and clothing problems are also prominent to the area, the head of Mahibere Kidusan Sekota center Ato Alemu Tsegaye emphasized. Ato Alemu further explained that the monastery has its own heritages and it is crossed by two rivers. Thus, the monastery has a bright future in irrigation and fruit production.

He further underlined that those who love their church are anticipated to help the monastery in a range of ways. 

Modern ‘Traditional Church School’ Will Be Constructed in Cheha Woreda!

Translated by Dn. Teklebirhan Ze Arsema

The new Debreselam Balewold church has been inaugurated!

A new and modern traditional church school will be constructed in Joka debreselam balewold church which is found in Kembata, Gurage and Hadya diocese.

As Ato Fikru Biza, the chairperson of the committee organized to build the traditional as well as the modern school, said, the preliminary preparation has been done to build a boarding traditional school that composes modern education which will serve the nearby community. Further, it has been planned to build the school within the church compound. Thus, to build the school which is new in its type, all Christians as well as the indigenous people are called to lend their hands.
 
Similarly, the newly constructed Yejoka  Debreselam St. Bealewold church  has been inaugurated on the 15th of February 2009. The building incorporates preaching hall, guest room, baptism room and store. As the head of the committee pointed out, a total amount of 1.500.495 (one million five hundred thousand four hundred ninety five birr) has been invested to build the church. As he further said, the indigenous Christians were exposed to heresy before the establishment of the previous church. He further appreciates the Christians who contributed a lot to set up the newly constructed one.

His holiness Abune Melketsedek, appreciating the great effort and contribution of the Christians of the area, said that the diocese is ready to play a significant role in its part as much as possible.

Promoting ‘Gibbi Gubae’ Spritual Services

Translated by Dn. Teklebirhan Ze Arsema

His Eminence Abune Yishak, the chairperson of the central administration of the EOTC, remarked that due attention must be given to Gibbi Gubae (a congregation of Orthodox Christians in higher institutions) students to help them handle their spiritual life parallel to their academic life.

In the 6th national seminar which is organized by Mahibere Kidusan for Gibbi Gubae representatives held from 28th February - March 1st, 2009 at the hall of the central administration of the EOTC, his holiness further elaborated, by fostering spiritual education which is being given by Gibi Gubae, it is basic to make the youngsters responsible for their church, parents, home country etc. His holiness further said that it is important to teach the words of God to make the youngsters strong in prayer, respect the commands of God etc.

Liketiguhan Kesis Dr. Mulugeta Seyoum, the chairperson of Mahibere Kidusan, on his part further explained that Mahibere Kidusan is working on creating responsible generation by enriching them the holy gospel, principles and traditions of the church. He further advised that, since the church is in a challenge, we have to save her from the anti-church elements.

As Daniel Tesfaye, the secretary in-chief of Mahibere Kidusan, explained, one of the eight basic long-term plans of Mahibere Kidusan is to work on Gibi Gubae and create responsible generation for the church. Above and beyond, he remarked that the main aim of Mahibere Kidusan is to produce conscientious generation who are ready to participate in Sunday schools, parish councils, monasteries by his/her money, knowledge etc.

The discussion points of the seminar included the tasks of the generation of the time in the Mahibere Kidusan service, strategic plan implementation, duties of Gibi Gubae, printing products in Gibi Gubae, the movement of anti-church elements and the role of Gibi Gubae in social and development services.

Research works were presented on the seminar topics and 224 participants from 140 Gibi Gubae participated in the conference.

The Unity Monastery of Rema Holy Saviour in Gondar in Danger

Translated by Derib

The Unity Monastery of Rema Holy Saviour in Gondar, which is one of the monasteries found on the Lake Tana is in danger because it has  not been maintained for a long time. The Monastery is also facing a serious food shortage.

The administrator of the monastery, Aba Abiyu told the Sima’a Tsidk Newspaper that  the monastery is about to stop its service  as it was built during the reign of Atse Sunsinyos, and has not been maintained since then. The construction of the building of the monastery was started by Abune Noah and completed by Wolete Petros, who was a prominent figure in fighting off Catholicism during the reign of Atse Sunsinyos. The monastery was self sufficient before the Derg regime as it had 30 hectares of land. Since the land was taken by the Derg, the monastery has not had any regular source of income, but irregular support from some of the laity. Due to lack of a sustainable income, the monks and fathers have been leaving the monastery and the monastery may cease to exist due to the prevailing problem. The administrator stated that the various church articles and holy pictures are suffering damage because the building of the monastery has been falling down. The administrator added that the monastery has announced the case to the concerned bodies and called for the diocese, philanthropists and aid organizations to help the monastery so that it could survive.

      Praise be to God. Amen!!