Section 1: Theological and Cultural Identity
This concept, central to Ethiopian Christianity, identifies the nation as the rightful heir to biblical Israel.
What is the New Israel?
This was the main reason Taddesse Tamrat argues Western missionaries clashed with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
What is the attempt to convert already-Christian Ethiopians to a different form of Christianity?
The Jesuits misinterpreted many Ethiopian Christian practices, including circumcision and Saturday observance, as signs of this religion.
What is Judaism?
The Jesuits' push for this religious change caused deep division within Ethiopian society.
What is forced Catholic conversion?
In the 1600s, the Portuguese chose to abandon most of Asia to focus on protecting this important colony.
What is Brazil
The Ethiopian monarchs were believed to descend from this biblical figure.
Who is King Solomon?
This term describes the reaction of Ethiopians who saw missionary churches as threatening their religious and cultural identity.
What is resistance (or religious nationalism)?
This emperor of Ethiopia welcomed Jesuit missionaries and made several concessions, including the addition of the filioque to the Creed.
Who is Susinyos?
This emperor’s abdication in 1632 marked the collapse of the Jesuit mission in Ethiopia.
Who is Emperor Susinyos?
The Ethiopian emperor Susinyos believed accepting Catholicism would bring this kind of help from Europe.
What is military support?
This object, considered essential to every Ethiopian Orthodox church, symbolizes the presence of God.
What is the Tabot (Ark of the Covenant)?
This king imposed Marian devotion with such force that he branded his subjects in honor of her.
Who is Emperor Zär’a Ya‘qob?
This Jesuit missionary, known for his charisma and political influence, convinced Emperor Susinyos to adopt Catholicism.
Who is Pedro Páez?
After the Jesuits were expelled, this happened to Ethiopia’s relationship with Europe.
What is Ethiopia became more isolated and suspicious of European influence?
This Catholic patriarch led the Jesuit mission in Ethiopia and later wrote accounts of martyrdom while in exile.
Who is Afonso Mendes?
These traditional practices, including Sabbath observance and dietary laws, show the strong influence of this part of the Bible on Ethiopian Christianity.
What is the Old Testament?
This group, opposed to the Marian cult, became the prototype for how Protestant converts were later labeled.
Who are the Stephanites (also known as Säre Maryam or "Enemies of Mary")?
This term refers to the Jesuit goal of reshaping Ethiopian Christianity to mirror Roman Catholic doctrine and practice.
What is Latinization?
This successor of Susinyos expelled the Jesuits and restored the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Who is Emperor Fasilides?
This Indian city became the center where exiled Jesuits wrote about the Ethiopian mission.
What is Goa?
This biblical queen is part of Ethiopia’s royal origin story through her visit to King Solomon.
Who is the Queen of Sheba?
This social group, often isolated ascetics, led popular resistance against the Jesuits and became defenders of Orthodox tradition.
Who are the hermits?
This document, written by Gelawdewos, defended Ethiopian Christianity from Jesuit accusations of heresy.
What is the Confessio Fidei?
Jesuit involvement in political and military affairs led many Ethiopians to associate Catholicism with this.
What is foreign intrusion or colonial threat?
The Jesuits portrayed their expulsion from Ethiopia not as failure, but as this religious act.
What is martyrdom?