Easter Hoseana & Himamat - The passion of Chirst

As an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church follower, we celebrate the beginning of the Holy Week with the Feast of Hosanna Sunday (Palm Sunday). This day marks the triumphant entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where He was greeted by crowds waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!” The term “Hosanna” is a plea for salvation and an expression of praise, symbolizing the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and King. The palm branches represent victory, peace, and eternal life, while Jesus riding a donkey signifies humility and peace, contrasting the worldly image of kings who often rode horses into battle.

Throughout history, men have conquered other men, kingdoms, and weaker neighbors. At times, emperors and kings have strived to conquer the entire world, fighting and dying for worldly power, driven by the collective egoic mind’s false state of competition, control, and comparison. Yet, one uncharted territory has eluded men of power throughout history—a territory where seekers, spiritual warriors, and healers have fearlessly ventured: the human heart, the soul, and the path to spiritual awakening. 

Each year, we read in Saint John’s Gospel the account of the Lord Jesus’ Triumphant Entrance into ancient Jerusalem:

“The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast of Passover heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches & went out to meet Him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!’ Jesus found a young donkey & sat upon it, as it is written, ‘Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” -St. John 12:12-15

Hosanna Sunday also ushers in the final week of Lent, known in Ethiopia as “Himamat” (Passion Week). It is a time during which the laity commemorate and relive the moments of pain and suffering leading to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Lent is a period of 55 days in the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, during which the faithful fast, pray, and reflect on their spiritual journey. It commemorates the 40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness, overcoming temptation and preparing for His ministry. The additional 15 days are unique to the Ethiopian Church, emphasizing the importance of repentance and spiritual discipline. Lent culminates in the celebration of Fasika (Easter), the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the cornerstone of Christian faith and the ultimate victory over sin and death.

For Ethiopian Orthodox Christians around the world, Himamat is not only a commemoration of the historical events of Christ's Passion but also a reminder of the spiritual process for all beings. It calls us to repent, fast, pray, meditate, and commit to inner transformation. It is a time to connect in love, forgive, let go, heal, and die to oneself in order to serve God and awaken spiritually. This journey teaches us to face challenges, tests, decisions, and choices with faith, to forgive ourselves and others daily, to learn life’s lessons, and to live in awareness, presence, and mindfulness.

We celebrate Christ Jesus as the King who enters our hearts, our homes, and our own personal Jerusalem. He died for our sins to show us the path to living in peace, love, and light. Through Lent, prayer, and fasting, we strive to be mindful of our spiritual, physical, and mental self-discipline, consciously awakening our inner being to forgiveness, grounding, sharpness, and compassion.

As human beings, we are all imperfect and prone to sin—whether it is our parents, siblings, best friends, family, community, society, or humanity as a whole. Change and challenges are inevitable, but Christ shows us the way through. At the Last Supper, He demonstrated humility, love, and forgiveness, even as He faced betrayal. His actions remind us that no matter how others may falter or how the world around us may shift, we are called to follow His example of grace and steadfast faith.

In today’s world, the message of Himamat resonates deeply as we face global challenges such as conflict, inequality, and environmental crises. The call to inner transformation and spiritual awakening is more urgent than ever. Just as Christ’s suffering brought light and salvation, we are reminded to approach these challenges with faith, strength, and compassion. The ongoing conflicts in various parts of the world, including Ethiopia, highlight the need for forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace. The environmental crises remind us of our responsibility to care for God’s creation, living in harmony with nature and each other.

As we celebrate Fasika (Easter), may we embrace the lessons of our tests, challenges, decisions, and choices in daily life. Let us remember that through Christ’s pain, hurt, and suffering, He brought light, love, and salvation. He showed us how to live with faith, strength, gratitude, consciousness, and forgiveness, reminding us that we are enough—a gift and a miracle simply by being human.

Let us choose to be aware, mindful, patient, in love, at ease, humble, peaceful, sharp as serpents, joyful, still, and compassionate to ourselves and others.

You are loved 💜.

By Dutchess@Deldeyoch