East African Journal of Sciences (2008) Volume 2 (1) 79-85

The Mathematical Basis of the Calendar Used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Twahedo Church
for Fasting Periods and Religious Holidays
Simegne Tafesse

Department of Mathematics, Haramaya University, P O Box 88, Ethiopia

E-mail: Simegnetafesse@yahoo.ca

Abstract: The Ethiopian Orthodox Twahedo Church (EOTC) has been the most dominant religion fully
supported by the government for many years. EOTC has its own calendar, which is genuinely respected by the
people. Nowadays, the Ethiopian people officially celebrate five major religious holidays every year: the New
Year called ‘Inqutatash’, Holy Cross, Christmas, Epiphany and Easter. Easter has no fixed date. The dates of
some of the fasting periods and the religious holidays also vary from year to year. In this paper, number theory is
applied to the determination of the calendar for the fasting periods and major holidays of the EOTC whose dates
vary from year to year.

Keywords: Division Algorithm; ‘Nenewe’ Fasting Period; New Year ‘Inqutatash’; Number Theory;
Theory of Congruence

1. Introduction Ethiopia uses its own calendar and we call it the

The Ethiopian Orthodox Twahedo Church (EOTC) has Ethiopian Calendar. The Ethiopian Calendar is based on
its own calendar which is used to determine the fasting the church's calendar. It is fairly similar to the Ethiopian
periods and holidays of the church Orthodox Twahedo Church calendar except that the
(http://www.ethiopic.com/calendar/ethiopic.htm). The number 5,500 has to be subtracted from the church’s
Church has many fasting periods and holidays, the dates calendar. It has 13 months. The first 12 months have 30
of which are determined annually. Some of these dates days each. The last month, known as Pagumen, has 5
vary from year to year and they are announced at the days and every fourth year, called leap year, it has 6 days
ceremony New Year in the Church. Only some of the (Simegne, 2002).
priests can perform the computation of the variable dates
of holidays and fasting periods using the church calendar. 2. Materials and Methods
Almost all of the followers of the church do not know The author used different books from the Church to
how to compute the variable dates of the holidays and analyze and incorporate with the new mathematical
fasting periods of their religion. concepts in to the Ethiopian calendar. He also carried out
There are two types of fasting periods and holidays, interviews with some priests who know how to compute
these are: the dates of these holidays and fasting periods to collect
i) Fasting periods and holidays whose dates vary from information.
year to year. For instance, the ‘Nenewe’ fasting period
and Easter. 2.1. The EOTC Aiwadat (Cycles)
ii) Fasting periods and holidays whose dates are fixed. The following constant numbers except the number 4
For instance Christmas and the ‘Filseta’ fasting period. according to the church are called ‘Aiwadat’. The
There is no problem regarding the fasting periods and constant numbers 4, 19, 28, 76, and 532 indicate a group
holidays whose dates are fixed, since the Church of years which is used to compute the fasting periods and
followers know them very well. the holidays whose dates vary from year to year. They are
This paper considers the fasting periods and holidays described briefly (Meseret, 1988; Asrat and Gebrehiwot,
whose dates vary from year to year. The writer 1995) as follows.
investigates how the dates of these fasting periods and 1. 7 is referred to as ‘Awde Ilet’. It is the length of week
holidays in a given year are arrived at and tries to show cycle in which a day of a week is repeated.
how the modern mathematical concept of congruence 2. 30 is referred to as ‘Awde Werha’. It is the length of
can be applied to determine of the dates of fasting a month cycle in which a number given to a day of a
periods and holidays. month is repeated except the 13th month called
The EOTC has its own calendar. It is the sum of the ‘Pagumen’ according to the church solar year.
number 5500 and a year in today’s Ethiopian calendar. 3. 365.25 is referred to as ‘Awde Amet’. It is the length
The EOTC assumes the number 5500 as the era between of a solar year.
the creation of Adam and the birth of Jesus Christ 4. 4 is the length of the four year cycle in which the
(Meseret, 1988). It is referred to as ‘Amete Alem’. Evangelical name of a year is repeated.
The Amete Alem of a year y in E.C. is 5500 + y. 5. 19 is referred to as ‘Awde Abktie’. It is the length of
For instance, the Amete Alem of 1999 in E.C. is 5500 + a cycle in which the phase of a moon is repeated
1999 = 7499. (Metonic cycle). It is also known as ‘Nius Kemer’ in
the EOT church.

©Haramaya University, 2008

ISSN 1992-0407
Simegne, T. East African Journal of Sciences Volume 2 (1) 79-85

6. 28 is referred to as ‘Awde Tsehay’. It is the length of The day of ‘Metik’ itself is, in fact, a holiday and it either
the cycle in which the concurrence of the day and the in the month of ‘Meskerem’ (September) or ‘Tikimt’
evangelical name of a year is repeated. This can be (October). Its value is a date of a month.
justified mathematically as 28 is the least common ‘Tewusak’ is a constant number that is used to fulfill the
multiple of 4 and 7. In the Julian Calendar this cycle requirement of the regulation formulated by Pope
is called the Solar Cycle. Dimetros (Meseret, 1988; Asrat and Gebrehiwot, 1995).
7. 76 is referred to as ‘Awde Mahtem’. It is the length Weekdays and each holiday whose dates are variable have
of the cycle in which the concurrence of Abektie and their own ‘Tewusak’.
the evangelical name of a year is repeated. This can
be justified mathematically as 76 is the least common Table 1. Weekdays ‘Tewusak’.
multiple of 4 and 19. It is also called ‘Maikelawi
Kemer’ in the church. N.O. Day Tewusak
8. 532 is referred to as ‘Awde Kemer’. This is the 1. Saturday 8
2. Sunday 7
length of a cycle in which concurrence of the day, 3. Monday 6
evangelical name and ‘Abktie’ of a year is repeated. 4. Tuesday 5
This can be justified mathematically as 532 is the 5. Wednesday 4
least common multiple of 7, 4 and 19. 6. Thursday 3
7. Friday 2

2.2. Terminology
‘Mebaja Hamer’ is a date number of a day, which is
There are many Terminological terms used in EOTC,
defined as the sum of ‘Metik’ and the ‘Metik’ day
Some of, which are very important in the study, and are
‘Tewusak’ (Meseret, 1988; Asrat and Gebrehiwot, 1995).
defined as follows.
It either in the month of ‘Meskerem’ or ‘Tikmt’
‘Nenewe’ Fasting Period the ‘Nenewe’ fasting Period is
depending on the day of ‘Metik’. The value of ‘Mebaja
one of the fasting periods whose dates vary from year to
Hamer’ is the date of the ‘Nenewe’ first fasting day after
year. It is a three-day fasting period. It is also the key for
the other fasting periods and religious holidays whose four full months or 120 days of its dates.
dates vary from year to year. If you know the first date of
the ‘Nenewe’ fasting period, then the dates for other 4. Results and Discussions
fasting periods and holidays can be easily calculated from 4.1. Mathematical Framework
a simple mathematical computation. Therefore, the main Before coming to the definition given by the Church and
problem is determining the first date of the ‘Nenewe’ theorems we are concerned with, let us examine some
fasting period. points of division algorithms and the theory of
In the past, people did not follow formal procedures with congruence.
regard to respecting fasting periods and holidays. For any positive integer m the relation Rm = {(a,b): a 
Pope Dimetros, in about 200-224 A.C, introduced special b(mod m), a and b are integers} is an equivalence relation
mathematical formulations and announced axioms for the on Z . The equivalence classes can be given by
dates of the first days of the fasting periods and holidays
whose dates varied from year to year.
0,1, 2,...., m  1, where for
The Ethiopian Orthodox Twahedo Church adopted these r  0,1, 2,..., m  1 , r  r  mx : x  Z  .
axioms and mathematical formulations and has been For any integer a, by the division algorithm, a  mq  r
using them ever since. The church announces these dates
for its followers every year at the New Year ceremony with unique integers q, r and 0  r  m . Hence,
a  r for some r  0,1,2,..., m  1 .
‘Inqutatash’.
‘Wenber’ is assumed as a remainder of an era (Meseret,
1988; Asrat and Gebrehiwot, 1995). It is the basis for the Definition 1: A subset S of the set of integers is called a
Abektie and Metik, which will be defined later. It has a complete system of residue modulo m iff for any integer
Mathematical definition which is formulated by Pop b there exists rS such that b  r (mod m) and any two
Dimetros. elements of S are incongruent modulo m.
‘Abektie’ is a remainder of a certain mathematical The set 0,1, 2,..., m  1 is a complete system of residues
calculation depending on the ‘Wenber’ value (Meseret, modulo m and it is the least complete residue class
1988; Asrat and Gebrehiwot, 1995). It has a constant representatives modulo m.
coefficient which is provided by Pop Dimetros. This
Theorem 1: Suppose a  c  b(mod m ) and
constant coefficient is 11.
‘Metik’ is again a remainder depending on the numerical c  d (mod m) . Then b  d iff a  0 mod m  .
value of ‘Wenber’ (Meseret, 1988; Asrat and Gebrehiwot, Theorem 2: If a  b(mod m ) and c  d (mod m ) , then
1995). Just like Abektie, Metik has a constant coefficient
assigned by Pop Dimetros. Its constant coefficient is 19. a  c  ( b  d )mod m  and ac  bd (mod m)
‘Metik’ is used to determine the first dates of fasting (Uspensky, 1939; Oystein, 1948 and Yismaw, 1995).
periods and holidays whose dates are variable.

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4.2. Evangelist's Name of a Year in E.C. R '1

There are four Evangelists, who wrote the Holy Gospel. 2. R1= 1+ , where R1 is the non negative
These are Johannes (John), Mathewos (Mathew), Markos 4
(Mark) and Lukas (Luke). Every year in the Ethiopian integer as given in equation (3).
Calendar is associated with the name of the Evangelist’s Proof: 1. Suppose 5y – R0  R'1(mod 28), where y is a
(Kidanemariam, 1963). The following statement defines year in E.C. and R0 is as in the Definition 2. Then
the relationship of Evangelists name and the church 285y – R0 - R'1 and then 5y – R0 - R'1 = 28I, for some
calendar ‘Amete Alem’ to a year with the help of integer I.
congruence theory. Then R1 = 5y – R0 – 28I
= 4y + y – R0 – 28I
Definition 2: Let y be a year in the Ethiopian Calendar = 4y + 4I -28I , for some integer I.
such that
Since by theorem1 y  R0 (mod 4)
5500 + y  R0(mod 4), where 0  R0 < 4 (1)
= 4(y + I - 7I)
Then
i) If R0 = 0, then the year is called ‘Zemene’ John. = 4n, where n = y + I -7I
ii) If R0 = 1, then the year is called ‘Zemene’ Mathew. Therefore, R'1  0(mod 4).
iii) If R0 = 2, then the year is called ‘Zemene’ Mark. Moreover, since R'1[0, 28) and R'1 is an integer, the
iv) If R0 = 3, then the year is called ‘Zemene’ Luke. possible values of R'1are 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24. Thus
R '1
Theorem 3 states the idea of definition 2 with respect to can only be one of the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
the Ethiopian Calendar only and the proof follows. 4
Theorem 3: Let y be a year in the E.C. 2. Suppose 5y – R0  R1(mod 28), where y is a year in
If 5500 + y  R0(mod 4), where 0  R0 < 4 and E.C. and R0 is the number corresponding to Evangelist’s
y  R0 (mod 4), where 0  R0 < 4, then name. Then 5y – R0 - R1 = 28I, for some integer I’.
R0 =R0 . (2) Then
5 y  R0 R '1
Proof: It follows from the fact that 5500  0 (mod 4).  I' for some I' Z , 0  R '1  28 and
We will use R0 for the determination of ‘Inqutatash’.
28 28
R'1 is an integer.
By Definition 2 we know that
4.3. ‘Inqutatash’
i) By (1) we have R'1  0(mod 4)  R1 = 4k1
The first day of the Ethiopian New Year is known as
‘Inqutatash’. This is the day on which the dates of the ii)By Theorem 2 we have y  R0(mod 4).  y – R0 = 4k2
holidays and fasting periods for the coming year are Since 5y – R0  R1(mod 28)
announced. Here we shall provide the mathematical  4y + y – R0  R1(mod 28)
definition of ‘Inqutatash’ for an arbitrary year in E.C.  4y + 4k2  4k1 (mod 28)
(Simegne, 2004).  y + k2  k1 (mod 7) (5)
Rabiet: From definition 2 we have 5500 + y  R0 (mod But 6875  1(mod 7) (6)
4) where y is a year in E.C. Then by the definition of From (5) and (6) we have
congruence 6875 + y + k2  (1 + k1)(mod 7) (7)
5500 + y – R0 = 4Ir, for some integer Ir Again since 5500 + y + Ir  R1(mod 7) by definition 3
5500  y  R0 5500  y  R
 Ir 
4 where I r  0

The integer Ir is known as ‘Rabiet’. 4

5500  4 k 2
=
Definition 3: Let y be a year in the Ethiopian Calendar 4
such that = 1375 + k2
5500 + y + Ir  R1(mod 7), where 1  R1  7 (3) It gives 5500 + y + 1375 + k2  R1(mod 7)
Then ‘Inqutatash’ is the R1th day starting from Tuesday.
6,875 + y + k2  R1(mod 7) (8)
According to the Church, the day Tuesday is known as
From (7) and (8) we have 1 + k1 = R1
‘Tinte kemer’ (Kidanemariam, 1963; Asrat, 1991).
R' R'
Since k1 = 1 we have R1 = 1 + 1 . This completes
The next theorem states definition 3 with respect to the 4 4
Ethiopian Calendar only and the proof follows. the proof.
Theorem 4: Let y be a year in the E.C. If R0 is as in Let us consider the following example:
Definition 2 and To find the day of ‘Inqutatash’ of the year 2000 in E.C.
5y – R0  R'1(mod 28), where 0  R1 < 28, (4) using the above method, we proceed as follows.
then 1. R'1  0(mod 4). First, let us find the number of the Evangelist’s name for
the year.

.
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Suppose 2000  R0 (mod 4), where 0  R0 < 4. Now we R2  R3 (mod 19) where 1 R3  19 then R2 –R3 = 19n
2000 0 for some n  Z
find R0 ,  500  , then R0 = 0 which is  R2 =R3 + 19n (15)
Putting (14) in (15) we have
4 4
‘Zemene’ John.
5500 + y – 532k = R3 + 19n
Inqutatash: 5y – R0  R'1(mod 28), where 0  R1 < 28
 5500 + y – 532k  R3 (mod 19)
 5(2000) – 0  R'1(mod 28), where 0  R1 <
But 532  0(mod 19) then 532k  0 (mod 19) for some k
28 Since R0 is 0.
Z
 10000 – R1 =28k for some kZ
'
Thus 5500 + y  R3 (mod 19) (16)
10,000 R1 4 Again 5500  9 (mod 19) and by the hypothesis of the
k  = 357 + .
28 28 28 theorem
Thus R'1 = 4 and k = 357 y = R3 (mod 19)
R' 4 Thus 5500 + y  (9 + R3)(mod 19). (17)
Therefore, R1 = 1 + 1 = 1 + = 1+1 = 2. Therefore This is by Theorem 2.
4 4 If 9 + R3 > 19 which means R3 > 10, then we can take
‘Inqutatash’ of 2000 E. C. is on Wednesday. 5500 + y  (R3 - 10)(mod 19). (18)
Since the integer R3 is between 1 and 19 inclusively from
4.4. ‘Tewusak’ of Fasting Periods and Holidays (16), (17) and (18) we have
Whose Dates Vary From Year to Year
This is a number which can be defined as the residue of  R '3  9 , if 1  R '3  10
the number of days counted from the starting day of the R3 = 
‘Nenewe’ fasting period up to holiday itself or the first  R '3  10 , if 11  R '3  19
date of the fasting period modulo 30. That is, let H be the 2. From 1. and Definition 3 it follows that
holiday and k be the number of days from the starting ‘Wenber’ = R3 - 1 =
day of the ‘Nenewe’ fasting period. Suppose k  R6 (mod
30). Then the ‘Tewusak’ of H is R6.  R '3  8 , if 1  R '3  10
The ‘Nenewe’ fasting period has no ‘Tewusak’.  R '  11, if 11  R '3  19
 3
4.5. ‘Wenber’ The proof is completed.//
The next definition is the computation used by the Based on the value of ‘Wenber’ for a year, ‘Abektie’ and
church with respect to ‘Amete Alem’ in a year with the ‘Metik’ will be defined as follows.
help of congruence theory (Asrat, 1991).
Definition 4: Let y be a year in E.C such that 4.5.1. ‘Abektie’
5500 + y  R2 (mod 532), where 1 R2  532 (9) Definition 4: If 11w  R4(mod 30), (19)
and then R2  R3 (mod 19), where 1 R3  19 (10) where R4  Z, 0  R4  30 and w = ‘Wenber’ , then R4
Then ‘Wenber’ is defined as R3 – 1. = ‘Abektie’
Note that ‘Wenber’ has only 19 different values from 1 to
Theorem 5 states definition 4 with respect to the 19 inclusive. Since ‘Abektie’ is a function of ‘Wenber’, the
Ethiopian Calendar only and the proof follows. number of values of ‘Abektie’ are limited to only 19
Theorem 5: Let y be a year in E.C. such that different values. These are 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15,
y  R3(mod 19), where 1 R3  19 (11) 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28. For one year in the E.C.,
Then there is only one ‘Abektie’ value. The constant coefficient
of ‘Abektie’ is 11.
 R '3  9 , if 1  R '3  10
1. R3 =  (12)
4.5.2. ‘Metik’
 R '3  10 , if 11  R '3  19
It is the basis for the determination of the starting day of
the ‘Nenewe’ fasting period. Like ‘Abektie’, ‘Metik’ is a
2. ‘Wenber’ = R3 - 1 = function of ‘Wenber’ and has only 19 different values.
 R '3  8 , if 1  R '3  10 The mathematical definition of ‘Metik’ is given as follows.
Definition 5: If 19w  R5(mod 30) (20)
 R '  11 , if 11  R '3  19
(13)
 3 where w = ‘wenber’ and 0 < R5  30, then R5 =
‘Metik’
Proof: 1. Let y be a year in E.C. Suppose y  R3(mod If R5 = 0 then we take R5 = 30 and then ‘Metik’ becomes
19), where 1 R3  19. Then, by the hypothesis of 30.
Definition 4, we have The number 19 is the constant coefficient of ‘Metik’. Just
5500 + y  R2 (mod 532) where 1 R2  532 then like ‘Abektie’, The 19 values of ‘Metik’ are 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9,
5500 + y – R2 = 532k for some k  Z 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30. For
 R2 = 5500 + y – 532k (14) one year in the E.C., there is only one ‘Metik’ value.

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Note: Suppose R5 is in as in equation (20). As we 4.8. Other Fasting Periods and Holidays Whose
mentioned above, ‘Metik’ is assumed to be a holiday in Dates Vary From Year to Year
the church and its day is dated by R5 either in the month Once the ‘Nenewe’ fasting period for a given year is
of ‘Meskerem’ or ‘Tikemt’ in the E.C. If R5 >14, then the determined, the other fasting periods and holidays can
day of ‘Metik’ is held on the Rth5 of ‘Meskerm’. If R5< 14, easily be obtained with the help of their ‘Tewusak’ as
then the day of ‘Metik’ is held on Rth5 of ‘Tikimt’. defined before.
Theorem 6: Let ‘Abektie’ = R4 and ‘Metik’ = R5, then Table 2. describes the ‘Tewusak’ R6 of fasting periods and
R4  R5  30 (21) holidays whose dates vary from year to year.
Proof: Let w be ‘Wenber’. By the definition 4.9. Procedures
19w  R4(mod 30) The procedures of computing the days of the fasting
11w  R5(mod 30) periods and holidays of any year in E. C. whose dates
Then by the Theorem 3 we have vary from year to year, are given as follows.
(11 + 19)w  (R4 + R5) (mod 30)
 30w  (R4 + R5) (mod 30) But 30w  0 (mod 30) i) Find the number R0 that corresponds to the
 R4 +R5  0(mod 30)  R4 +R5 is a multiple of 30. Evangelical name of the year.
Since 0 < R4  30 and 0  R5 < 30 we have 0 < R4 +R5 < ii) Find the day of ‘Inqutatash’ (Ethiopian New Year)
60. Since 30 is the only integer which is a multiple of 30
between 0 and 60 exclusively, then we can conclude that iii) Find the first date of the ‘Nenewe’ fasting period. To
R4 +R5 = 30. obtain this we need to calculate the values of ‘Wenber’,
The proof is complete. ‘Metik’ and ‘Mebaja Hamer’
4.6. ‘Mebaja Hamer’ iv) Find all the other fasting periods and holidays with the
This is also another term which depends on the value of help of their ‘Tewusaks’.
‘Metik’ .
Definition 6: ‘Mebaja Hamer’ is defined as the sum of Let us see some particular cases:
‘Metik’ and the ‘Tewusak’ of the day. That means.
‘Mebaja Hamer’ = ‘Metik’ + ‘Tewusak’ of the day. 1. To find all the fasting days and Holidays in 1996in the
The day of ‘Mebaja Hamer’ is administered on: E.C. whose dates vary from year to year, using the above
i) The date of its value in the month of ‘Meskerem’ in method we proceed as follows.
E.C., if 14 < R5  30 i) Evangelical Name: Since y  R0 (mod 4), where 0  R0
ii) The date of its value in the month of ‘Tikimt’ in E.C., < 4, y is a year, then we have 1996  R0 (mod 4) where 0
if R5 < 14  R0 < 4. That is 1996 – R0 = 4k for some integer k.

1996  4 = 499 +
0
4.7. ‘Nenewe’ Fasting Period , This implies that
As we mentioned before, ‘Nenewe’ fasting is a three-day 4
fasting period. It always starts on Monday and ends on Ro = R0 = 0.
Thursday of the same week. It is a function of ‘Mebaja Therefore, the Evangelical name for 1996
Hamer’. We know that the value ‘Mebaja Hamer’ is the E.C. is ‘Zemene’ John.
date of a day either in the month of ‘Meskerem’ or ii) ‘Inqutatash’: 5y – R0  R'1(mod 28), where 0  R1 < 28
‘Tikmt’. 5x1996 – R0  R'1(mod 28)
The starting day of the ‘Nenewe’ fasting period in a year  Since R0 = 0 then we have 9980 – R1 = 28k for
is the day of a month exactly four full months (120 days) some integer k
after the day of ‘Mebaja Hamer’ in the year in the E.C.
That means the date of the starting day of the ‘Nenewe’ 
9980
 356 
12
fasting period is exactly the value of ‘Mebaja Hamer’ but 28 28
‘Nenewe’ takes place after four months of ‘Mebaja  R'1 =12.
Hamer’.
Note: If ‘Mebaja Hamer’ is in ‘Meskerem’, the ‘Nenewe’ '
fasting period will be in Tir and begin on the day dated at R1 12
the ‘Mebaja Hamer’ value. If ‘Mebaja Hamer’ is in Thus R1 =  1 1  4
‘Tikimt’, then it will be in ‘Yekatit’ and begin on the day
4 4
.
dated at the ‘Mebaja Hamer’ value (Kidanemariam, 1963;
Therefore, four days after Tuesday is Friday. Thus
Asrat, 1991).
‘Inqutatash’ was held on Friday.
Theorem 7: The ‘Nenewe’ fasting period cannot be
administered before ‘Tir’ 17 and after ‘Yekatit’ 21.
iii) The ‘Nenewe’ Fasting Period :
Proof: The proof is simple.
‘Wenber’: y  R3 (mod 19),

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where 1 R3  19  1996  R3(mod 19) Interpretation: Since 21 > 14, the holiday of ‘Metik’ will be
held on 21st of ‘Meskerem’ and the day is Thursday.
 ‘Mebaja Hamer’: The ‘Tewusak’ of Thursday is 3. Thus
1996 1
 105  R3'  1 and it is between 1 and 10.
19 19 ‘Mebaja Hamer’ is 21+ 3 = 24
Then R3 = R3 +9 = 1 + 9 = 10 Therefore, ‘Wenber’ is The ‘Nenewe’ Fasting period began on ‘Tir’ 24, 1996
10 - 1 = 9 after four full months of ‘Meskerem’ 24.
‘Metik’: 19w  R5(mod 30)  19x9  R5(mod 30) iv) Now all the other fasting and holidays whose dates
vary from year to year can be computed easily with the
  171 21(mod 30). Therefore, help of their ‘Tewusak’.
171 21
 5
30 30
‘Metik’ = R5 = 21.

Table 2. Other fasting periods and holidays.

No of days from first day R6

No 1st day of fasting / day of holiday of ‘Nenewe’ fasting period
1. Main fasting period (8 weeks fasting) 14 14
2. ‘Debrezeit’ ( half of the main fasting period) 41 11
3. ‘Hosaina’ (Historical events of Jesus palm Sunday) 62 2
4. Thursday praise 66 6
5. ‘Siklet’ (crucifixion) 67 7
6. Easter 69 9
7. The 2nd Easter (day of Thomas) 76 16
8. ‘Rikbe kahinat’ ( day of Priests ) 93 3
9. ‘Irget’ (Ascension) 108 18
10. ‘Paraklitos’ 118 28
11. Preachers fasting period (Apostles’ fasting) This is up to ‘Hamle’ 6 119 29
12. Friday Wednesday fasting begins 121 1

2. To find the first day of ‘Nenewe’ fasting period 1999 Then R3 = R3 +9 = 4 + 9 = 13 Therefore, ‘Wenber’ is
E.C. we proceed as follows. 13 - 1 = 12
i) Evangelical Name: Since y  R0 (mod 4), where 0  R0 ‘Metik’: 19w  R5(mod 30)  19x12  R5(mod 30)
< 4 y is a year, then we have 1999  R0 (mod 4) where 0 228  R5(mod 30)  228  18(mod 30). Therefore,
 R0 < 4. That is 1999 – R0 = 4k for some integer k. ‘Metik’ = R5 = 18.
 Ro = R0 = 3. Therefore, the Evangelical Interpretation: Since 18 > 14 the holiday of ‘Metik’ will
name for 1996 E.C. is ‘Zemene’ Luk. be held on 18th of ‘Meskerem’ and the day is Thursday.
ii) ‘Inqutatash’: 5y – R0  R'1(mod 28), where 0  R1 < 28 ‘Mebaja Hamer’: The ‘Tewusak’ of Thursday is 3. Thus
 5x1999 – R0  R'1(mod 28)  Since R0 = 3 then ‘Mebaja Hamer’ is 8+ 3 = 21
we have The ‘Nenewe’ fasting period will begin on ‘Tir’ 21, 1999
after four full months of ‘Meskerem’ 21.
9995 – 3  R'1(mod 28)  9992 – R1 = 28k for some
integer k
5. Acknowledgement
I would like to acknowledge Dr. Yismaw Alemu,
'
R
 R'1 = 24 Thus R1 = 1  1 
24
 1  7 . Therefore, Department of Mathematics, Addis Ababa University
4 4 who encouraged and advised me from the very beginning
we count 7 days from Tuesday. Then the day is Monday. of the paper. I would like also to acknowledge Dr. Rao,
That is, ‘Inqutatash’ will be held on Monday. G.S. and Ms. Emilie Pamplona, Department of
iii) ‘Nenewe’ Fasting Period : Mathematics Haramaya University for reading the paper
and giving me fruitful suggestions, last but not least I
‘Wenber’: y  R3 (mod 19), where 1 R3  19  1999  thank Dr. Sisay Menkir, Haramaya University, for his
R3(mod 19)  R3 '  4 and it is between 1 and 10. encouragement.

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Simegne, T. Calendar Used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Twahedo Church

6. References Kidanemariam, G. 1963. ‘Mashashal Yetelemede Hig New’

Abera, M. The Ethiopian Calendar (in Amaharic language); Tertiary level third book.
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Inc., New York and London “Inkutatash day (Ethiopian New Year) of any year in
Kidanemariam, G. 1963. ‘Mashashal Yetelemede Hig New’ the Ethiopian Calendar. Alemaya University Critical
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