Fasika – Ethiopian/Eritrean Tewahedo Resurrection / Pascha AKA “Easter”
Fasika ፋሲካ, also known as Ethiopian and Eritrean Resurrection, is one of the most important holidays in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Beta Krystian calendar. It is a celebration of the resurrection of Kiduse Amanuel or Iyesus Christ, The Messiah. It’s a time for all Tewahedo faithful to reflect on their faith, spend time with family and friends, and fulljoy traditional foods and customs.
The Tewahedo Faith is the mother of Christianity being the first established church in Alkebulan or Africa and the home to the Solomonic Dynasty and Messianic bloodline. The faith is regarded as the Beta Krystian, in literal translation, the House of Christian joined as one with Beta Israel, The House of Israel, making them an integrally Judaeo-Krystian Faith. The Tewahedo faith is one of the oldest forms of Christianity in the world, and it predates the separation of the Eastern and Western Christian traditions. Ancient followers of Christ observed Hebrew principles and were also called Ihudites.
Ethiopia has the oldest version of the Bible in the world, known as the Ge’ez Bible. It contains the entire canon of the Old and New Testaments and predates the Vatican Roman-Greco Christianity and the Catholic or King James Version. The Tewahedo faith also venerates the Black Madonna and Black Christ and their holy books, including the once forbidden Book of Enoch hail the true description of The identity of The Messiah and Holy Mother Mariam. Ethiopia has maintained a unique and independent identity throughout its history, separate from the Western Christian tradition.
Tewahedo means “unified” or “being made one” with God in Ge’ez. Ge’ez is the ancient language of Ethiopia that predates Amharic. Orthodox means “correct belief” or “right teaching” in Greek or in Amharic it is translated as le Ri’itu Haimanot or The Right Faith.
The history of Fasika in the Ethiopian Holy land dates back to the 4th century AD when the apostle Phillip baptized an Ethiopian eunuch. This event marked the beginning of Christianity in Ethiopia. The eunuch went on to become the first Ethiopian follower of Christ and helped spread the faith throughout the country and became an integral part of Ethiopian culture and identity.
The fasting period during Fasika is called Lent, and it lasts for 55 days. During this time, the faithful follow an ital or vegan livity and refrain from consuming animal products, such as meat, dairy, and eggs, and instead focus on prayer, reflection, and charitable acts.
Emperor Haile Selassie I and Empress Woizero Menen were devout followers of Christ or as it’s translated Kiduse Amanuel. Kiduse means Holy and Amanuel means God with us. Our Majesties celebrated Fasika with great reverence and devotion. The Emperor and Empress would attend a midnight mass on the eve of Fasika, which is a traditional part of the Ethiopian Tewahedo celebration. During the service, the priests would chant hymns and prayers while the Emperor and Empress, along with other members of the royal family, would light candles and frankincense.
Following the service, the Emperor and Empress would host a grand feast for their family, friends, and members of the Ethiopian Tewahedo Church. The feast would consist of traditional Ethiopian foods, such as injera which is a sourdough flatbread made from tef. Tef is one of the most nutrient-dense grains in the world. They also had a variety of delicious ital or vegetarian dishes and stews made from various lentils and split peas. For lovers of meat, there was doro wat which is a spicy chicken stew or stewed lamb, and kitfo which is a minced raw beef dish seasoned with spices. The Emperor and Empress would also distribute food and gifts to those less fortunate in their community.
Emperor Haile Selassie I was known for his exemplary character and his commitment to his faith. He is known as the Defender of The Beta Krystian Faith. He was a devout follower of Christ who believed in treating others with kindness and respect. He was also a strong advocate for social justice and worked to improve the lives of the Ethiopian people throughout his reign.
Emperor Haile Selassie I believed that his role as a leader was to serve his people and to work for the greater good of Ethiopia. He believed in the importance of education, healthcare, and economic development, and he worked tirelessly to improve these areas of Ethiopian society.
Followers of the Emperor must emulate his exemplary character by embodying the values of compassion, kindness, and service to others. They must work to improve the lives of everyone and to promote social justice and equality. They must also remain committed to their faith and to the traditions and customs of the ancient Tewahedo Faith. The followers of Emperor Selassie should follow in his footsteps in order to maintain the unity and integrity of the Tewahedo Faith. Deviating from his teachings and introducing new doctrines has led to confusion and division within the kingdom. It has weakened the church’s ability to serve its members and promote the values of compassion, justice, and service to others.
Lovewise, it is of upmost importance for Tewahedo faithful and the clergy worldwide to defend this ancient faith and not promote tribalism and politics. They should reject the Vaticans’ false teachings which have caused incredible dissension and waring amongst its members, especially the Rastafari faithful. Today, many false teachings have risen up and leaders in the faith have also rejected the Beta Israel and ancient Hebrew teachings of this beautiful and immaculate faith. Others are guilty of diluting and white-washing the Tewahedo teaching and have even gone as far to remove the original African church icons from the places of worship. These beautiful depictions of The Black Madonna and child, saints, apostles, martyrs, and holy angels have been replaced by false European images which have enslaved the minds of the massive. This blasphemous act is a direct contradiction to the ancient Tewahedo faith and caused dissension throughout the world. We urge all Tewahedo clergy to remain steadfast in their faith and remember to honor the vow they took to Defend this ancient faith. All faithful have a spiritual and moral obligation to protect the true teachings, le Ri’itu Haiymanot for the salvation and redemption of our precious souls.
In conclusion, Fasika is an important holiday in the Ethiopian and Eritrean Tewahedo Beta Krystian calendar. It is a time for reflection, celebration, and renewal. Emperor Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen celebrated this sacred day with great reverence and devotion, and their commitment to their faith and to their people serves as an example for all to follow. As lovers of Our Majesties, we must emulate his exemplary character and work to improve the lives of our families and promote and practice spiritual enlightenment, social justice, and equality for all.
Selah!
