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Soteriology in the Ethiopian Orthodox Täwaḥədo Church As Reflected in the Liturgical Hymns of the Dəggwa of Yared

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Soteriology in the Ethiopian Orthodox Täwaḥədo Church As Reflected in the Liturgical Hymns of the Dəggwa of Yared Soteriology in the Ethiopian Orthodox Täwaḥədo Church as Reflected in the Liturgical Hymns of the Dəggwa of Yared by Andualem Dagmawi Gobena A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the University of St. Michael’s College and the Graduate Centre for Theological Studies of the Toronto School of Theology. In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael’s College. © Copyright by Andualem Dagmawi Gobena 2019 Soteriology in the Ethiopian Orthodox Täwaḥədo Church as Reflected in the Liturgical Hymns of the Dəggwa of Yared Andualem Dagmawi Gobena Doctor of Philosophy in Theology University of St. Michael’s College 2019 ABSTRACT The study of liturgical theology in its historical context helps to better understand the contemporary faith and life of the Church. This doctoral thesis explores the theological depth and spiritual riches of Yared’s liturgical hymnography. A thorough analysis of his Dəggwa hymnary shows some of the main historical developments of the soteriology of the Ethiopian Orthodox Täwaḥədo Church (EOTC). The thesis affirms that doing theology in conversation with liturgical hymnody establishes the platform for prima theologia. The introduction gives a brief overview of the nature of liturgical theology and the historical context of Yared and Ethiopian hymnody. It also provides some helpful details regarding the manuscript tradition of the Dəggwa. The first chapter deals with the life and the hymnographical works of Yared, along with a brief historical-theological description of each liturgical corpus. This chapter introduces readers to the nature and importance of Yaredean hymnal tradition in the Ethiopian liturgical year. The section also focuses on the development, divisions and revisions of the Dəggwa hymnary. Chapter two explains Yared’s cosmology and Christology. It presents the doctrine of creation, the fall and Christological presuppositions as the basis of Yared’s theology of salvation. The third chapter discusses liturgical anthropology and soteriology, as reflected in the Dəggwa hymnary. It further provides the multifaceted aspects of Yared’s theology of ii salvation. Chapter four deals with the sacramental and ecclesial dimensions of Yared’s soteriology. It shows the sacramental communication of the gifts of salvation as enacted in the ecclesial life. The concluding chapter gives a brief summary of the entire discussion to recapitulate the core issues and major themes of the study. It also indicates some possible venues for further research and useful ecumenical dialogue on the various aspects and related issues of soteriology. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I would like to offer my heartfelt glory and praise to the gracious and ever-loving God for the profound blessings outpoured throughout my entire academic careers and ministry. I am grateful to St. Mary’s Ethiopian Orthodox Täwaḥədo Cathedral in Toronto, Canada for the continued support to pursue my doctoral studies. I am especially indebted to His Grace Dimetros, the Archbishop of Ontario, Canada and Rev. Fr. Messale Engeda for their prayers, thoughtful advice and encouragements throughout my studies. I am very much indebted to the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research and the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library (HMML) of St. John’s University at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota for giving me the opportunity to conduct my doctoral research. My special thanks are due to Professor Getatchew Haile, Curator of the Ethiopic Manuscripts at HMML, for his helpful consultations. I, hereby, would like to thank the late Professor Margaret O’Gara (RIP), Professor John McLaughlin and Professor Pablo F. Argárate for their kind recommendations to the Collegeville Institute’s Admission Office. I am grateful to University of St. Michael’s College for the generous financial aid to pursue my doctoral studies. I am thankful to Professor Pablo F. Argárate, my initial doctoral program advisor, for his remarkable assistance and guidance throughout my studies. My sincere appreciation and deepest gratitude are due to Professor Jaroslav Skira, my thesis supervisor, for his invaluable instructions and diligent effort in reading and correcting multiple versions of my thesis chapters and providing me with constructive comments. Last but certainly not least, I would like to express my heartfelt love, respect and utmost gratitude to my beloved wife, Mrs. Meron Negash Gedamu, for her extraordinary love, genuine encouragement and unstinting support towards the successful completion of my doctoral studies. Indeed, I am also grateful to my brother Deacon Ewnetem Dagmawi Gobena and my sister Mrs. Selamawit Dagmawi Gobena for their kind cooperation in making available some helpful resources and rare research materials at my disposal. iv DEDICATION This doctoral thesis is kindly dedicated with sincere appreciation and gratitude to: St. Mary’s Ethiopian Orthodox Täwaḥədo Cathedral Toronto, Canada & The Late Professor Margaret O’Gara (RIP) Professor of Theology at the University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology Toronto, Canada v Contents LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................ x INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1: THE LIFE AND HYMNOGRAPHICAL WORKS OF YARED .......................21 1.1 The Life of Yared .....................................................................................................................22 1.2 The Hymnographical Works of Yared ................................................................................32 1.2.1 A Quest into the Ethiopic Identity of Yared’s Hymnography ...............................34 1.2.2 A Brief Overview of the Book of Dəggwa (መጽሐፈ ድጓ) ..............................................39 1.2.2.1 The Major Sections of Dəggwa ...............................................................................40 1.2.2.1.1 Yohannəs (John) .......................................................................................42 1.2.2.1.2 Astäməhəro (Didactic/Supplication) ....................................................43 1.2.2.1.3 Ṣomə (Lenten)… .......................................................................................44 1.2.2.1.4. Fasika (Paschal) .......................................................................................45 1.2.2.2 The Three Modes of Yared’s Liturgical Hymnody ...........................................46 1.2.2.3 The Expansion and Revision of the Book of Dəggwa… .....................................47 1.2.2.4 The Centre for Specialization in Dəggwa Hymnary ...........................................49 1.2.2.5 The Ancient Hymnal Notations of Yared’s Dəggwa… .......................................51 1.2.2.5.1 A Graphic Illustration of the Ancient Hymnal Notations of Yared’s Dəggwa .....................................................................................52 1.2.3 Zəmmarē (ዝማሬ) [Cantillation/Canticle] ................................................................53 1.2.3.1 Həbəsət (ኅብስት) [Bread] ........................................................................................55 1.2.3.2 Ṣəwa’ə (ጽዋዕ) [Chalice/Cup] ...............................................................................56 1.2.3.3 Mänəfäs (መንፈስ) [Spirit] ........................................................................................56 1.2.3.4 Äkotēt (አኰቴት) [Anaphora/Thanksgiving] ......................................................57 vi 1.2.3.5 Məsṭir (ምሥጢር) [Mystery] ....................................................................................57 1.2.4 Mäwasə’ət (መዋሥዕት) [Responsorial] ..............................................................................58 1.2.5 Mə’əraf (ምዕራፍ) [Intermission/Chapter]. ......................................................................59 1.3 Musical Instruments of the Ethiopic Liturgical Hymnody ...............................................61 CHAPTER 2: YARED’S COSMOLOGY AND CHRISTOLOGY ............................................70 2.1 Salvation in Christ: The Heart of Yared’s Liturgical Theology ........................................... 73 2.1.1 Yared’s View of Human Creation and the Fall ........................................................74 2.1.2 Yared’s Christocentric Soteriology… ........................................................................81 2.2 The Incarnation: The Climax of Revelation & Divine Economy .....................................85 2.2.1 Yared’s Exposition of the Feasts of the Incarnation ...............................................88 2.2.1.1 The Feast of the Nativity .......................................................................................88 2.2.1.2 The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Christ .............................................102 2.2.1.3 The Feast of Epiphany… ............................................................................................. 104 2.2.1.4 The Feast of the Miracle at Cana of Galilee ........................................................... 113 2.2.1.5 The Feast of Palm Sunday ........................................................................................... 115 2.2.1.6 The Feast of the Crucifixion ....................................................................................... 116 2.2.1.7
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