🕊️ Tewahedo Terms & Faith
What does the word Tewahedo mean?
“Being made one” — the unity of Christ’s divine and human nature.
What event marks the birth of the Church?
The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
How many books are in the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible?
81 books.
According to John 15:5, who is the vine and who are the branches?
Jesus is the vine; we are the branches.
What does the word “Church” mean in the Bible?
It means “the assembly” or “the gathering of believers” — the people of God united as the Body of Christ, not just a building.
“You are the body of Christ, and members individually.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
What does Orthodox(y) mean?
“right belief” “true faith” "straight (correct) belief (path)"
Who was the first Christian martyr?
Saint Stephen.
What are the three main languages the Bible was originally written in?
Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
Can we become holy by our own effort alone?
No — holiness is by God’s grace.
What does Tewahedo teach about Jesus Christ’s nature?
That His divine and human natures are united in one — not divided.
What does Bete Christian mean in Ge’ez or Amharic?
“House of Christians” or “House of Worship.”
Who was Saul before he became Saint Paul?
A persecutor of Christians.
Name one book unique to the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible.
1 Enoch, Jubilees, or 1–3 Meqabyan.
Name one sacrament that helps us live a holy life.
Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, or Eucharist.
What feast celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit?
Pentecost.
The Church is called One, Holy, Universal, and Apostolic. What do these four marks mean?
One: united in faith
Holy: led by the Holy Spirit
Universal: open to all
Apostolic: passed down from the apostles.
Who baptized the first Gentile, Cornelius?
Saint Peter.
What is the meaning of the word “Bible”?
"The books” — a collection of sacred writings.
What is the main purpose of repentance?
To turn back to God with a changed heart and mind.
Which apostle was known for preaching to Gentiles?
Saint Paul.
What makes the Ethiopian (Oriental) Orthodox Tewahedo Church unique among all ancient churches (also including all other sister churches)?
It’s founded on both Old and New Testament traditions and received Christianity directly from the Apostles.
How did Christianity first come to Ethiopia according to tradition?
Through the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch by Philip the deacon and the preaching of St. Matthew and St. Mark.
What does “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” mean, and where is it found in the Bible?
It means that every part of the Bible was written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit — it is divinely inspired and useful for teaching, correction, and spiritual growth.
2 Timothy 3:16
What are the Fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22–23?
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
What is the memory verse that begins “One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism”?
Ephesians 4:5–6.