The Ethiopian Calendar, Pagume, & 'The opening of Heaven'

Friend: "Why are you fasting pagume?"

Me: "I have never done it, so why not."

The Ethiopian calendar has 365 days and a leap year every fourth year. Each month has 30 days, and there's an intercalary 13th month, Pagume, with 5-7 days depending on whether it's a leap year. While similar to the Coptic calendar, the Ethiopian calendar also shares some aspects with the Gregorian calendar, including the addition of a leap day.

Pagume, which occurs between late August & early September, is a particularly significant month. It's said to have a cumulative total of 7 days every 600 years. The month ends with Enkutatash, one of the biggest holidays in Ethiopia, marking the New Year.

The Four Evangelists and the Leap Year

Each four-year period is dedicated to one of the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The year of Luke is the Ethiopian leap year, preceding the Western leap year.

The Miracle of Saint Raphael

The third day of Pagume commemorates one of the most important miracles of Saint Raphael. The story is related to a church dedicated to the archangel, located on an island outside Alexandria, Egypt. It's said that the church was threatened by a whale and began to shake while believers were praying inside. Miraculously, Saint Raphael saved the church.

The Book of Tobit and Saint Raphael

The Book of Tobit, an Old Testament scripture, describes how Saint Raphael appeared to a man named Tobiah, whose father, Tobit, was blind. The archangel instructed Tobiah to catch a fish from the Tigris River, and the fish's heart and liver were said to have cured Tobit's blindness. According to the same story, Saint Raphael intervened to help Tobiah marry Sarah, a woman who had lost seven husbands on their wedding nights. The archangel exorcised an evil spirit, saving Tobiah from the same fate. Saint Raphael is believed to have been empowered by God to intervene for fruitful marriages, fertility, and easier childbirth. He is said to have performed numerous miracles on the third day of Pagume, making it a day of special celebration in churches dedicated to the archangel.

Pagume: The Opening of Heaven

Pagume is also called Rehiwe Semay, which means "The opening of heaven." It's believed that on this day, believers' prayers reach God in a special way. The rain that falls on Pagume 3rd is considered holy and is believed to bless Christians and protect them from misfortune. 

Ethiopian Orthodox Christian followers lent & fast in pagume, as well as be in prayer, to wish, seek & meditate when the heavens open to receive blessings & insights. Children often rinse in the rain on Pagume 3rd, to receive blessings, while women add drops of the sacred rainwater to their dough to bless their Injera and bread.

Inspired I used Pagume as a five-day silent retreat, incorporating fasting, meditation, and daily prayer. On the third day of Pagume, I took a refreshing dip in the holy rain to cleanse myself & my home. I appreciate the focus, discipline, and self-control required to delve into one's mind, body and emotions. During the retreat, my menstrual cycle began, providing a physical and mental cleansing. I feel enlightened, grateful, blessed, and insightful to be alive, loved, purposeful, wealthy, healthy, and peaceful. I also had a fire cleansing ceremony to commemorate in gratitude to Enkutatash, & blessing that New Year 2017 will bring.

Interestingly, the Netflix series 'Lost' aligned perfectly with my retreat experience. The show explores the intricacies of human nature, combining religion, spirituality, science, and fate, all centred around the power of love.

Happy New Year 2017

Enkuan Aderesachu 

By Dutchess @deldeyoch