Filseta
Filseta ፍልሰታ | |
---|---|
Official name | ጾመ-ፍልሰታ |
Observed by |
|
Type | Christian feast day |
Significance | |
Begins | 7 August |
Ends | 22 August |
Frequency | Annual |
Filseta (
History
Dormition
In accordance with Tewahedo Church teachings Dormition is the belief that Saint Mary's death was without suffering, in a state of spiritual peace. The
The Story of Filseta
It is believed that on Tuesday, the third day after Saint Mary was buried, her body was resurrected and taken to Heaven as part of the
Upon hearing St. Thomas's account, the other Apostles wanted to have their own first-hand account of the Assumption of Mary. One year after their encounter with St. Thomas the other Apostles decided to hold a 15-day fast starting from 7 August and ending on 22 August. On the 15th day of fasting the Apostles were visited by Saint Mary and her son, Jesus Christ. Divine liturgy was conducted on that day by Jesus Christ himself designating St. Peter as assistant priest and Deacon Stephen (who descended from Heaven for the event) as an archdeacon. At the end of the divine liturgy Jesus Christ gave the Apostles holy communion, after which he ordered the Apostles to preach and witness the Resurrection and Assumption of his mother Saint Mary throughout the world.
Historical evidence
While the exact date is debated among different Churches the author Hippolytus of Thebes claimed as part of his chronology to the New Testament that Saint Mary lived for 11 years after the death of Jesus, dying in AD 41.[5]
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimages are made to monasteries named after Saint Mary during this two week fast. Pilgrims go to these monasteries and camp out on the compound following a strict set of rules.[1]
- No outside food is allowed in the monastery. The only thing that followers are allowed to consume is water and handful of cereals during the evening hours of the day.
- Pilgrims are to collectively pray multiple times during each day of fasting (Divine Liturgy (Kidase) - 2.5 hours, Seatat- 6 hours, Kidan-1 hour, Serk-30 minutes, plus any additional personal prayers) for at least 10 hours.
- Pilgrims are to not communicate with the outside world. (some also take a vow of silence the two weeks only communicating through writing).
It is believed that the pilgrims will cleanse themselves of sins during this pilgrimage having their prayers answered after the end of the two weeks.[1]
Ashenda
See also
References
- ^ a b c "FILSETA FASTING". evgethiopia. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
- ^ a b "Tsome Filseta (Assumption of the Virgin Mariam) 1 Nashi 2006 (ET)". Rastafari TV. August 5, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Filseta: The Fast of the Assumption of St. Mary". United Orthodox Tewahedo Youth. August 7, 2017.
- ^ a b Genene, Sara (August 21, 2017). "FILSETA: Ethiopian Feast Of Saint Mary The Virgin". Ethiopian Wanderlust.
- ^ Rainer, Riesner (1998). Paul's Early Period: Chronology, Mission Strategy, Theology. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 120.