HISTORY

HISTORY

TRADITION(ትውፊት/TEWFIT)

Tradition (Tewfit) means that which has been told and which continues to be passed by the Church from ancient times either in writing or word of mouth from generation to generation.

Before the mastery of the written word, all generations throughout human history from Adam to Moses have been passing on their customs, culture and history, as a tradition, through word of mouth. This is the basis of this tradition.

Traditions represent a critical piece of our culture. They help form the structure and foundation of our families and our society. They remind us that we are part of a history that defines our past, shapes who we are today and who we are likely to become. Once we ignore the meaning of our traditions, we’re in danger of damaging the underpinning of our identity.

Tewfit(Tradition) records the doctrine, education and history that are not recorded in Scriptures but have been handed down from the early fathers by word of mouth.

“Tewfit” demonstrates these in deed. “Tewfit” does not contradict the meaning of the Scriptures nor their interpretation.

“Tewfit” embraces not only religion, church rites, culture and history; but also the rites of worship that have been handed down from ancient times without any distortions or changes.

In earlier times, the teachings and faith of the Church were given through the spoken word. It is written “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:17).

The Holy Apostles have clearly said that what they wrote down was a small part of what the Lord taught. (Jn. 20:30, 21:25). Even the Apostles themselves have not written down all the miracles they performed or all that they taught. (2Jn. 12; 3Jn. 13-14).

The Scriptures give their testimony about tradition (Tewfit) in several places. (1Cor.11:2, 23, 15:1-3; 1Thes. 2:13; Thes. 2:15). Hence “Tewfit” and the Holy Bible reinforce each other. “Tewfit interprets and supplements the Bible. To assert that, St. Paul in 2Tim. 3:8 says “Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses…”.

However, neither in the Old nor in the New Testament are Jannes and Jamberes cited. In the same light, the words which our Lord said “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” in Acts. 20:35 are found nowhere in the four Gospels. St. Paul wrote these from the traditional way of acquiring knowledge.

Besides, this is the way we have come to learn that the four Gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

St. Basil the Great also says, as written down in the Acts of Basil, that “the wearing of the cross, to cross oneself facing east and standing erect when praying, blessing the baptismal waters, marking the one being baptized, bowing in all four corners, anointing the one baptized with myron, and making him say “I reject you” to Satan and his ilks are all acquired through tradition.

(The Works of Basil 27:26).

According to the teachings and rites of our Church:

• Kissing the Cross:

• To bow before icons and the cross;

• Wearing a thread around the neck;

• The burning of incense in churches;

• The utilization of different types of ecclesiastical objects in the conduct of services;

• The mode of construction of churches and their internal division;

• Religious vestments etc. are all done according to norms derived from tradition.(Tewfit).

Our church, being an ancient, historical and Apostolic Church has not only maintained but kept alive the tradition that has been handed down from our forefathers.

REASONS WHY TRADITIONS ARE  IMPORTANT

•Bridges a gap between generations

•A sense of identity

•Tradition contributes a sense of comfort and belonging

•Tradition reinforces values such as freedom, faith, integrity, a good education, personal responsibility, a strong work ethic, and the value of being selfless

•Tradition provides a forum to showcase role models and celebrate the things that really matter in life.

•Tradition offers a chance to say “thank you” for the contribution that someone has made.

    •Tradition enables us to showcase the principles of our Founding Fathers, celebrate diversity, and unite as a country.

  •Tradition serves as an avenue for creating lasting memories for our families and friends.

ወስብሐት ለእግዚአብሔር!

Glory be to God!

To be continued!