Zemene Tsigie / "The season of flowers,"

Zemene Tsigie, meaning "the season of flowers," is a time dedicated to commemorating the Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt. This period spans from Meskerem 26 to Hidar 5 in the Ethiopian calendar (October 6 to November 14 in the Gregorian calendar). It falls during the autumn season, following the Ethiopian rainy season, when flowers bloom and fruits appear. This time is marked by clear blue skies and fresh air, as it coincides with the primary harvest season and a period of great abundance.

According to Ethiopian church tradition, the feast of the Holy Family was originally observed in May. However, Ethiopian Church scholars later moved it to autumn to honor and praise Saint Mary and her Son, Jesus Christ, symbolized by flowers and fruit, respectively. This shift reflects the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church's practice of personifying various aspects of nature to illustrate Orthodox teachings and connect them with the lives and daily activities of the faithful.

During this season, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church offers special hymns, such as Mahilete Tsige (The Hymn of the Flower) and Seqoqawe Dingil (The Lamentation of the Virgin), along with the hymn of St. Yared (Digua). These hymns are composed in memory of the hardships faced by the Holy Family, comparing Jesus and His Mother Mary to fruit and flowers. The Prophet Isaiah also uses similar symbolism: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1).

The biblical basis for the Flight into Egypt is found in the Gospel of Matthew: “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him” (Matthew 2:13-23). Joseph fled to Egypt with Saint Mary and the infant Jesus after being warned by the Magi of King Herod's intent to kill the infants of that area. Herod had become paranoid that the newborn "King of the Jews" would threaten his throne, leading him to order the Massacre of the Innocents in an attempt to kill Jesus. But an angel appeared to Joseph, instructing him to take Jesus and His Mother to Egypt (Matthew 2:13).

During this time, Ethiopian faithful devote themselves to prayer, fasting, and other charitable activities in memory of the Holy Family's journey and their hardships in the wilderness of Egypt. The fasting is voluntary, as it is not one of the seven official fasting periods, but it is undertaken with the hope of receiving abundant blessings from God through the intercession of Saint Mary.

On Sundays and holidays, the clergy, often joined by a large number of people, gather for the divine office throughout the night, singing until the time of Mass. After the Divine Liturgy, especially in rural areas, believers prepare a banquet (with wine and food) every Sunday of Zemene Tsigie in the name of Saint Mary, celebrating the season with charitable activities.

May the intercession of Saint Virgin Mary be upon us all!