The Rogation of the Ninevites: Pookhin or Piety?

As members of the Assyrian Church of the East, we hold to many wonderful traditions that have been passed down through the generations leading back to the time of Christ and the Apostles and even before the birth of Christ. One of the many faithful traditions we have grown up practising is that of holding a three day fast for the Rogation of the Ninevites. But another well-known tradition that has been adhered to by women in particular is eating Pookhin (ground grains and salt resembling powdery sand) on the last night of the Rogation, before we break our fast with the Holy Eucharist the next day.  This is done with a hope that we will see the man we will marry in a dream, giving us a glass of water to quench our thirst.

These are great traditions we have held for many centuries. But for some of us, we let the latter tradition of dreaming of a future husband during the Rogation, take priority over the first and more important canonized church tradition of fasting and repentance. This is the service that God is truly pleased with and expects from us as we imitate the strong faith of our ancestors.

The Rogation (beseeching) of the Ninevites or Baouta d’ Ninwayeh (Fast of the Ninevites) has had nationalistic and spiritual importance to Assyrian Christians throughout the centuries. The fast originally occurred and is documented in the short, four chapter book of Jonah the Prophet. The Assyrian Church of the East has canonized this feast where her members are faithfully required to partake in a three day fast every year (commencing three weeks before The Great Fast), in remembrance of its nationalistic significance, but more importantly, to remember the grace and mercy that God had bestowed upon the repentant Ninevites at the time of Jonah and for all the grace and mercy that He bestows upon us today.

As we take the time to read through the book of Jonah in the Old Testament, we can draw upon many parallels between rebellious Jonah and a merciful God; and we, sinful/rebellious mankind and Jesus Christ our saving redeemer.

It is here that we learn of an Israelite man living in post Assyrian exile times, who God calls upon to go to the wicked city of Nineveh to preach the message of repentance to the pagan Assyrian inhabitants, and teach them to believe in the One true God.

Jonah hears God’s calling but instead of obeying, begrudgingly attempts to run away from the presence of the Lord – foolishly thinking that this is possible! He boards a ship, to escape and heads to Tarshish in the opposite direction of Nineveh, wanting to distance himself from God as much as possible. In retort to Jonah’s disobedience, God causes a mighty tempest to brew in the sea causing the ship to almost sink. The sailors and Jonah realize that this is the work of God, and Jonah asks them to throw him overboard so that they will be spared.

It is when Jonah is thrown overboard to face his imminent death, that we witness God’s love and mercy, as He causes a big fish to swallow him, and he remains alive in its belly for three days and three nights, protected from the raging seas around him. Jonah spends this time in the fishes belly praying to God, beseeching His forgiveness and vowing to offer his service to God. (Jonah’s prayer Jonah 2:3-10)

When the fish regurgitates Jonah onto a dry sandy shore, Jonah is left in a humbled and lowly state, knowing very well that the mighty God he had refused to obey had mercifully saved him from death. And thus, God commands Jonah a second time to go and preach to the mighty city of Nineveh…

Upon entering the great city, Jonah proclaims publicly to all the Assyrian inhabitants that God will destroy their nation after forty days if they do not repent and believe in the One true God.

After heeding the convicting words of God through Jonah the prophet, all the people of Nineveh believed in God, and repented. From the greatest of them; the King, to the least of them. They proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth and sat in ashes. This was a symbol of mourning and repentance for their sins. The king proclaimed “Let not the men, cattle, oxen or sheep taste anything, eat or drink water.” Jonah 3:7-9

And God saw their deeds that they turned from their evil ways. And God had a change of heart about the just punishment which He said He would inflict on them. And He did not do it. Jonah3:10

In an amazingly faithful response to Jonah’s preaching, the Ninevites show us the true meaning of repentance that we should emulate in our lives today:

1.       By the practise of fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)

2.       By wearing sackcloth and ashes. This symbolized mourning and repentance (Matthew3:8, Acts 17:30)

3.       By prayer (Matthew 7:7-12)

4.       By changing their behaviour. Their repentant acts stemming from their faithful heart. (James 2:14-26)

In Jonah’s weaknesses and rebellion, we see our own fallen humanity. But as he turns to God, we begin to see a rebirth in Jonah and a longing to serve the God who saved him from death. His deliverance from the belly of the fish foreshadows the deliverance from death and of spiritual rebirth in the waters of baptism. Just as Jonah’s “rebirth” makes possible the repentance and salvation of the Ninevites, so our Lord’s death and burial in the earth for three days and three nights before His resurrection from the dead makes possible our salvation. (Matthew 12:40-41)

This salvation that we receive from baptism, believing in Christ, and living a repentant life of service to God is the only way that we can imitate the faithful Ninevites and have the assurance that God will mercifully look upon us to forgive our debts and sins… through a life of faith and repentant deeds. (James 2:26).

The fast of the Ninevites (Baouta d’Ninwayeh) was not practised again until it was revived as a 'Three day fast' in the 6th century AD by Mar Sawrisho (hope in Christ), the Metropolitan of Kirkuk who sought God's help when an epidemic struck Nineveh and its surrounding regions. The tradition of fasting and praying has been  faithfully observed ever since by the Assyrian Church of the East and other Orthodox Churches.

St. Ephrem the Great has written spiritual hymns and homilies to commemorate the faithful repentance of the Ninevite Nation. Many of these hymns were sung by the clergy in The Church of the East to commemorate the Rogation from the time it was first commemorated in our Church and until this day, hymns and prayers are reverently chanted in the Church as a humble reminder of mankind’s sinful state and Gods loving mercy.

As we approach the Rogation of the Ninevites this coming Monday, set your sights on the Lord Jesus, the One who has superseded Jonah, and is to us an eternal saviour. Come to Him in petition, repentance and fasting, knowing that God the Father is pleased with the humble and contrite spirit these works will produce in you, for this life and for your promised eternity. Isaiah 66:2

Reading: Excerpt from The Rogation of theNinevites by St Ephrem

The Rogation of the NinevitesPart I – Spoken by H.G. Mar Awa Royel

The Rogation of the NinevitesPart II – Spoken by H.G. Mar Awa Royel

This weeks song: Rogation of the Ninevites – Qasha Eilosh Azizyan

Who am I? Who is God?

Have you ever asked yourself that age old question... Who am I and what is the meaning of life? I remember asking myself this very question when I was a 20 a year old girl with a yearning for self-discovery. I decided to search for the answer by packing my backpack and heading for a solo journey around Europe determined to find out "who I was". It cost me a plane ticket, and travel expenses, but what I found there was priceless... Instead of finding myself, I found the "real God!" My life's journey and the path to my life destiny had only just begun.

These days we see how the world has generally stereotyped who or what they perceive God to be. You may be familiar with the T.V. portrayal of God as a giant angry man with a long white beard, dressed in a white robe? Or perhaps you’ve viewed some renaissance paintings and ceiling frescoes which illustrate the same. In today’s liberal thinking society people are also confused as to whether God is a he or a she (khaslee), and then there are Atheists who BELIEVE there is no God at all... This is a faith or belief in and of itself!

Unfortunately, these stereotypical examples that bombard our T.V.’s and media have influenced some believer’s understanding of who God truly is. This false imagery may even cause people to believe that God is an angry, vengeful man who throws lightning bolts and brimstones down on people who do not do His bidding. This may be a far-fetched example of who you believe God to be, but the reality is, if everyone knew the REAL GOD, His character and His purpose for His creation, we would see more and more people making every effort to draw closer to Him and have the desire to share their faith with others.

When we willingly search for God ourselves, He unveils our eyes to see God the creator, Father and lover of mankind. We see a God who is reaching out to His beloved creation in order to restore and heal the broken relationship we have caused with Him. His desire is for us to draw near to Him even though we continually push Him away through a life of self-satisfaction and ignorance of Him. James 4:8

To this day I remember the very first time I acknowledged God as the awesome, loving creator and Father He is. Having grown up believing that God is for the most part a disciplinary God who will harm you if you do something bad (I realize now this was to keep me from misbehaving), for the first time as an adult, I witnessed God's presence in His creation and was in awe of Him. As I overlooked the glistening Aegean Sea from a roof-top of a renowned white, blue domed church in Santorini, I gazed over the cliffs overlooking the majestic sea and the magnificently painted blue sky surrounding me with the sunset starting to hide itself behind the perfectly straight horizon… I could not help but acknowledge an intelligent designer and loving creator had made all of this perfection for me! That was the first time I stopped and praised God for His creation, and thanked Him for making me.

So how can we search for God to ultimately get to know Him, and consequently know ourselves?...God has made His presence and love known to us through making a perfect creation Romans 1:20-21 by creating mankind in His own image and likeness Genesis 1:26-27 and by speaking through the Prophets and Apostles in documented history 2 Tim 3:16. This One and Only God has revealed Himself to us in the form of The Holy Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit which Jesus Christ (The Son) first made known to us while He was ministering on earth.

Today, and until Christ’s awaited return, God reveals Himself to us through the Church Sacraments, the Bible and Apostolic teachings and through His Holy Spirit which we receive through baptism. Though He continually avails Himself to us through these different means, we, His creation repeatedly turn our backs on Him and continue to live life own way... Essentially, we want to be our own “gods”.

You may be thinking, “But I do believe in God and I’m a good person.” But the truth as God states first through Isaiah the prophet Isaiah 53:6 and again reiterates and confirms to us through St. Paul is that, “all have sinned, and all fall short of the glory of God”, Romans 3:23. Which means we, mankind are all looked upon as sinners in need of salvation from the just punishment that God has faithfully promised to His rebellious creation from the time the very first sin entered the world. Romans 6:23

This death that Paul speaks of in the last verse above can be seen in this perishing, suffering world around us; from incurable diseases, famine, wars and extinction of forests and animals. Above all, it can be seen in the ultimate death and judgement that awaits every single person… including you and me.

So where do we fit into this equation? If we can see and understand that our created world and we ourselves are dying, how do we go about living? Who are we? And how are we to live a meaningful, purposeful life?

Our post-modern society answers with glamorous distractions and marketing ploys to convince us that our lives are unfulfilled or we are unsuccessful without possessing certain wealth, social standing or a certain image etc. We are unconsciously indoctrinated to view that the meaning of life is about enjoying its pleasures, living to please ourselves and to conform to the liberal minded society in which we live.

But if and when we realize that we are made in God’s image and likeness, for His good and perfect purposes Ephesians 2:10, it is clear that to find our life’s purpose and our individual identity in this world, we must seek our creator; who made us and knows us better than we know ourselves! Jesus says “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me” John14:6. And He also tells us that we will see and know God the Father, through knowing Him (God the Son). John 14:7-11

So, whether you are a male or female, single or married, old or young. God has a purpose for you. Your Heavenly Father has been patiently waiting for you to realize that you need to turn to Him out of your own free will, to receive the forgiveness and love He offers to all who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.

God wants you to come to Him today and get to know “THE REAL” Him, whether it is for the first time, or whether you are a daughter that wants to re-ignite her faith in her Heavenly Father again.

If you want to learn more about God your creator, and want to know where you stand with Him, save yourself an expensive plane ticket, come to at least one or all of the church ministries, speak to a Priest, read the Bible, and ask God in prayer to open up the true path that will guide you to Him. The Church, The Bible and His Saints prove that God is faithful to His promises. So take that leap of faith, and see God for who He really is. He is waiting for you. Revelation 3:20-22

N.B. For more information about your local Apostolic Church, Church ministries, or if you have any personal questions you’re seeking answers for, please contact me by clicking on the ‘contact me’ button on this page and I will do my best to provide you with the information you need or refer you to people who can help.

This week’s song: Who am I – Casting Crowns

“Why God? Why?”

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6

Have you ever noticed in life how God sometimes re-directs our path when we seem to think we are walking in the right direction?  Just as Saint Paul was impacted by God’s saving grace on the road to Damascus, where he was ironically blinded by God in order to see the true path that He wanted him to take… Could God be re-directing you?

God’s mighty hand is seen more clearly in hindsight when we look back at a time before a trial enters our life and realise it may have come when we were searching for God, or trying to draw nearer to Him. Maybe you had been praying for God’s will to be done in your life, or asking for His perfect guidance, or even asking Him to make you a better, more pleasing person in His sight?

During a trial, you may find yourself feeling helpless, anxious, or out of your depth and comfort because you’re experiencing any kind of pain, suffering or fear. We may start to have feelings of resentment or doubt towards God creeping up on us.  And the first question we may ask God when we turn to Him in prayer is, “Why God? Why?” or “What did I ever do to deserve this?” These are normal and valid questions to ask God. And the simple answer is that we are living in a sinful, fallen, and dying world that is trying to push God out of the picture…and pain is inevitable.

Depression, fear and anxiety are very real occurrences among Christian women. Although some people might draw a rosy picture and have us believe that because we are followers of Christ, we are “SUPERWOMEN”… This black and white view is actually a very unrealistic way of looking at ourselves, and indeed the Christian faith.

Today, we see women suffering from Post Natal Depression, fear, anxiety, feelings of prolonged sadness and even depression due to sickness, disease, losing a loved one and unfortunately there are too many to mention.

When we turn through the pages of the Bible, we can also relate to the long suffering and pain endured by faithful women and men. Such as the barren Sarah and Hannah, Job who lost all of his family, possessions and health, Mary and Martha whose brother died, Saint Mary who witnessed her Son’s torturous death before her eyes, Saint Paul who suffered for the spreading of the gospel, and ultimately Jesus Christ our Lord – who endured the most painful suffering like no other… Being God incarnate, perfect man, without sin, who lived with the burden of His overshadowing and inevitable death for mankind, until the day He experienced that cruel and shameful kind of death on the cross, for our sake.

We look to these historical figures in the Bible with the gift of hindsight, and learn how God intervened in their lives at the just right time, to deliver them from all of their suffering. So much so, that we recognise and take courage from these people over 2000 years later, as we place our trust and hope in the same God who bestows His awesome love and grace upon the people who persevere in their faith when faced with different kinds of trials and suffering. James1:2-4

Are you suffering from pain, fear, anxiety or even depression because God hasn’t answered your prayers? Don’t be. God has heard your prayers of faith, and He sent His one and only Son to take the punishment for your sins, so that you can live in the freedom of His grace and love, not in fear. 1 John 4:16-18 Believe in Christ’s redeeming death for you on the cross, and wait for the right time for God to deliver you in His perfect way, and according to His perfect will… Be it in this world, or in the promised Kingdom of Heaven to come. Matthew 11:28-29

Refer to Church Fathers page to read an excerpt by Mar Isaac regarding trials and temptations.

NB. If you are suffering depression of any kind, please do not keep silent. Share your feelings with an understanding Christian that you trust and feel comfortable confiding in. (Preferably another woman). God has also gifted counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists to help His daughters who are struggling (Christian counsellors are also an option).

For more help and information on depression / anxiety visit: http://christianwomenwithdepression.com

http://www.beyondblue.org/

Or Visit the Christian Counsellors Association of Australia to search for a Christian therapist in your area: http://www.ccaa.net.au

Call the Lifeline Crisis support Centre on 13 11 14 to chat to someone on the phone about your crisis

Or visit http://www.lifeline.org.au

This weeks song: Before the Morning - Josh Wilson

What's stopping you from venturing out?

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

I remember my very first day at my one and only retail job. I was a part time student who had little, to no experience in talking with random strangers, let alone trying to convince them to buy something from me. But I knew that if I didn’t step up to the role of providing good customer service, to meet my sales targets and commission, I would lose my job.

So, on my first day, I paid close attention to the way my manager related to the customers. Firstly, I noticed the manner in which she welcomed them and the way she initially approached them. I listened to the types of questions she asked in order to learn more about their needs, and then I observed how she informatively recommended products before closing the sale.

When my very first customer walked in, I remember feeling extremely nervous, and thought I was only going to stuff everything up and never make a sale. But, I had no other choice but to “bite the bullet”, psych myself up, and go for it! I tried to imitate my manager as best I could, and after a successful sale, I quickly realized how silly I was to doubt my ability.  When my second customer walked in, I jumped at the chance to serve them, and was actually really excited about it. Needless to say, that later on that year, I was offered a management position!

This customer service mentality and experience greatly encouraged me to speak to strangers when sharing the gospel with them. If we compare the two situations; customer service and sharing the gospel with strangers or with people we don't know very well, they are very similar circumstances we can find ourselves in.

Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He commissioned His Apostles to go out and make disciples of all the nations Matthew 28:18-20. As we read from the book of Acts all the way through to the Pauline Epistles and the Letters of the New Testament, and also look at our own Church history literature, we witness how the Apostles and disciples faithfully obeyed Christ’s command to spread His life giving Gospel (good news about Jesus and His love)… some of them working even unto their death!

If the Apostles were willing to die for the spread of the Gospel, why do we take this command so lightly? As professing, baptised Christians, it is our duty to share the Gospel with other people. Just as the Apostles were commissioned by Christ, who in turn taught their disciples and our Church Fathers and saints who obeyed this command, we are called to do the same. In a sense, we are working to share or “sell” (customer service term only) the Gospel of Christ for the benefit of the individual, for the growing of the Church family and ultimately, for the growth of Gods Kingdom.

So why is it so hard for some of us to speak to people we do not know very well in our very own Church? Why is it so hard to venture out of our comfort zones, leave our group of friends during Church fellowship and try to share Christ's love with the new girl or woman who has been coming to church for the last month and has been sitting by herself? Are we looking for our own personal gain before we make a move?... "Someone else will do it" or "I can’t be bothered. I’ve been wanting to catch up with my friends all week!" These are invalid excuses. Are we scared we'll say the wrong words or feel awkward by approaching the newcomer? Or are we embarrassed of what our “friends” with think of us?

If our own personal feelings are deterring us from following this important command, then clearly we are putting ourselves and our own selfish desires before God. We are showing God that we do not have enough faith in Him to work through us, to simply show people His love. God’s love is the very reason that people are drawn to Him, and want to come to church to experience. 

Moses was commissioned by God to go to Egypt and command Pharaoh to let Gods enslaved people free. When Moses was too afraid to action Gods bidding, God rebuked him by saying, "Who has made man’s mouth!” Exodus 4:11

If you, like Moses are thinking, “I'm not a confident speaker” or “I don’t know how to share Gods Word with people yet”, or even “how would I know how to welcome a stranger?” Don't feel dismayed or anxious about it. Welcoming a newcomer doesn't mean you have to preach to them. Just imitate your "manager" or "boss", Jesus Christ. Show them His love, compassion and generosity. Above all, pray in your heart, and ask Him to give you the words to say to the person(s). You will be surprised at how the Almighty God will use you as His instrument to glorify His name through your Christ-like actions.  1 John 4:18-21

Let us start sharing Christ with each other face-to-face in our own "backyard,” amongst our own church community before trying to venture out into the wider community and even the cyber world! Challenge yourself this coming week to speak to another woman from Church who you don’t know.

Once you venture out, you’ll never want to go back ;)

This Week’s Song: My own little world - Matthew West