Discussion held on Church paintings

Participants of the discussion held at the discussion organized by the Research Center of Mahibere Kidusan underlined that the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church should make sure the continuity of its unique painting style. 

At the discussion held on February 7, 2009, the way the paintings employed the various colours is in accord with the canons and sacraments of the Church. The paintings are made based on religious facts and convey social reality.

The scholars who attended the discussion stated that most of the paintings, which are made on the inside walls of Churches, are in danger due to long age and improper handling during renovations of the old Churches. Thus, they underlined, from the point of view of preserving our painting heritages, attention should be paid to these paintings.

Associate Professor Shiferaw Bekele, member of the Advisory Board of the Mahibere Kidusan Research Center, appreciated the organization of such discussion programs at the time when the heritages of the Church are being destroyed. He underlined that the young people need to work hard to follow the foot steps of the fathers and eventually replace them.

Artist Bekele Mekonnen, ,  also mentioned that there is now a cultural invasion on the unique Church painting style, and thus the effort of everyone concerned is needed to ensure that the paintings  and the unique styles of the Church are  passed on to the next generation.

In the conclusion of the meeting, Mhr. Dessie Keleb, Senior Researcher at the Center, stated that it has been noticed that the current Church paintings do not reflect the unique styles of the earlier Church paintings. Thus, the discussion was organized to deliberate on the problems related to Church paintings. In the future, the Center will organize another discussion that deliberates on the solution aspect, he added.

All invited guests including instructors of painting at Addis Ababa University, scholars of history and other fields, journalists, professionals in the film industry pledged their support for the Research Center in its research activities. In order to ensure the continuity of this unique painting style and pass it on to the next generation, participants urged the Church, fathers of the Church, the laity and artists to deliver their responsibility.

Mahibere Kidusan inaugurated five books

The Media and Public Relations Department of Mahibere Kidusan inaugurated five boos at the national Museum Hall on February 7, 2009. Like Tiguhan Kesis Dr. Mulugeta Seyoum, Chairman of the Association, stated that the Church has given to the whole world timeless and precious books. Mahibere Kidusan, realizing that serving the Church as well as the country through the writings is an important aspect of spiritual service, has  prepared and distributed many books in various languages since its establishment. Currently 38, 000 copies of the five books have been prepared, he added.

Dn. Taddesse Worku, Head of the Book Preparation Department, stated that to of the three of the books were prepared in Afan Oromo while the remaining was in Amharic. One of the books in the Afan Oromo  entitled Desssuun Waaqaa Kitaaba Qulqullun (“Saint Mary in the Holy Bible”) is a translation  where as the other entitled Kiristoos Iyyasuus Enyudaha? (“Who is Jesus Christ?” ) is authored one. Both of the books were prepared by Dn. Digafe Dagnachew.

The Amharic Books inaugurated were

1- ”l ?YwT zåRèìKS tê?ì ¼x+R GÚê&¼ Kalehiwot ze Ortodox Tewahido “Word of life in the Orthodox Tewahdo Chucrh” by Like Tiguhan Haile Giorgis Dagne

2- ngr |Uê& Negere Siggawe “The Incarnation” by Kesis Tesfa Endale

3- k!Än {DQ yQÇS ¥t&ãS wNg@L ¥B‰¶Ã Kidne Tsidk Yekidus Matiwos Wongel Mabrariya “The Promise of Righteousness: Commentary on the Gospel According to Mathew” by  Kesis Dejene Shiferaw, Dn. Berhanu Admas and Dn. Taddesse Worku.

A study on the contribution to Ethiopian literature and its future goals, which was published on the Hamer magazine by Ato Hiruy Sime. In addition to the contribution of the Church from the very beginning up to now, the study mentions that Mahibere Kidusan has published more than 70 books and distributed more than 831, 734 flyers in three languages.

The guests invited to the inauguration commented that the Association should strengthen its effort to produce and distribute more books. Among the invited guests who attended the inauguration were Kesis Belay Mekonnen, Head of the Law Department at the Central Administration of the EOTC and Megabi Sir’at Daniel Wolde Gerima, Head of the Education and Training Department.

      Praise be to God. Amen!!