Holy Tablet Refuses to Leave Interim Tent

A Tablet of the Law, named Kuskuma Mariam, was recently housed with the St. Michael Tablet at a church named for the latter in Akaaki-Kaliti  sub-city in Addis Ababa.

As per the tradition and order of the church, both Tablets were comfortably moved out of their church on the eve (= Ketera) of the Ethiopian Epiphany to the baptismal pool only 250 meters away from the St. Michael-Kuskuam Mariam Church. This ceremony was the fourth for the Tablet of St. Michael and the first for Kuskuam Mariam.

When the clergy accompanied by the devoted faithful tried to take the two Tablets back to the church after the conclusion of the Epiphany ceremony on the 20th of January (12th of Tir ),the priest who carried the Tablet of St. Michael continued to move with ease. Just after the Tablets traveled less than twenty meters from the spot where their interim tent was erected, the priest carrying the Tablet of St. Mary Kuskuam feels emaciated to walk and even speak unlike the one carrying the Tablet of St. Michael who continued to move unchecked to the church.

Another priest carries the Kuskuam Tablet with fresh energy. He in turn failed to walk even for five meters. He told fellow clergymen to pray communally for he was burning from the fire of the Tablet. He was also drenched with his own sweat. Shocked by this, the clergy and the faithful held a communal prayer hoping the Tablet will continue to move as a result of their supplication to God.

When this brought no change, a priest suggested for the return of the Tablet back to the interim tent to see if it is not the Tablet’s will to leave the baptismal site. Instantly, the priest carrying the Tablet felt so strong and moved to the site easily.

Part of the faithful accompanied St. Michael’s Tablet while the rest moved back with Kuskuam Mariam in tears and sorrow for fear this is a result of their sins.

Now, a provisional shelter is erected for the Tablet at the site which is still there. The Parish’s clergymen have reported that the faithful have started contributions in cash and in kind to build a church for the Tablet at the very site if it is God’s will to have Kuskuam Mariam’s church there. God’s wonders are always with us!

Epiphany Eve (Ketera) colour fully celebrated in the Holy City

Ethiopians residing in Israel have colourfully commemorated ketera at the River Jordan where the Lord Christ has been baptized, the Jerusalem Station of Mahbere Kidusan has indicated. The ceremony was attended by H.G. Abune Mathias, Archbishop of the Ethiopian Diocese of the Holy Land, His Grace's Assistant, Abune Absadi, H.E. Ambassador Feseha  Asegedom, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Israel, monks and nuns and over two thousand members of the church’s laity.

Participants have marched from Debre- Genet Kidane Mihret Church to the Holy River, it was learnt. The attendants have on the occasion accorded the due praise, hymn, prayer and thanks giving. The River was blessed by the benediction of His Grace the Archbishop, Abune Mathias, and the faithful have participated in the memorial baptism Meanwhile, police has created untimely complications by the retarding the procession claiming to check residence licenses.

This action of the police, which was against the pass given for the day by pertinent authority of Israel, was said to be unusual and shocking to the attending faithful.

      Praise be to God. Amen!!