Ethiopian Orthodox Church History
This ancient kingdom, where Christianity first took root in Ethiopia, was a major power in the Horn of Africa.
What is the Kingdom of Axum?
This crucial ritual object, housed in the innermost sanctuary of every church, represents the Ark of the Covenant and gives the church its sanctity.
What is the Tabot?
Besides Wednesdays and Fridays, this major 55-day fast is observed before Easter.
What is Lent (Abiy Tsom)?
Celebrated on January 7th, this holiday marks the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Ethiopian calendar.
What is Gena (Christmas)?
The term "Tewahedo" in the church's name signifies its belief in the single, unified nature of Christ, a doctrine known as this.
What is Miaphysitism?
The first recorded Ethiopian Christian king, responsible for officially adopting Christianity in the 4th century.
Who is King Ezana?
The Ethiopian Orthodox Liturgy features a unique musical tradition developed by this 6th-century saint.
Who is Saint Yared?
This three-day fast commemorates the repentance of the people of Nineveh, as told in the Book of Jonah.
What is the Fast of Nineveh (Tsome Nenewe)?
This colorful festival involves the burning of a large bonafire and commemorates the finding of the True Cross by Saint Helena.
What is Meskel?
Ethiopian Orthodox theology firmly believes that the Holy Spirit proceeds from this divine person only.
Who is the Father?
The period of Jesuit influence in the 17th century led to a brief conversion of this emperor to Roman Catholicism, causing significant internal conflict.
Who is Emperor Susenyos I?
This specific part of the Liturgy, corresponding to the Anaphora in other rites, is the most solemn and central part of the service.
What is the Kidase?
During strict fasting periods, consumption of these animal products is strictly prohibited.
What are meat, dairy, and eggs?
This holiday, celebrated on September 11th (or 12th in a leap year), marks the Ethiopian New Year.
What is Enkutatash?
The concept of God being united in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is known by this Ge'ez term.
What is Səllase (Trinity)?
This later emperor expelled the Jesuits and restored the Orthodox Tewahedo faith as the state religion in the 17th century.
Who is Emperor Fasilides?
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church uniquely has 14 of these liturgical prayers, compared to the single anaphora in most Western Rites.
What are Anaphoras?
How many times a day are devout Ethiopian Orthodox Christians typically encouraged to pray, following canonical hours?
What are seven times?
A major feast dedicated to the Archangel Gabriel, particularly popular for pilgrimages to the church of Kulubi.
What is Kulubi Gebriel?
While accepting the Old and New Testaments, the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible includes additional books like Enoch and Jubilees, demonstrating its emphasis on this testament.
What is the Old Testament?
For over 1600 years, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church maintained its autocephaly from this patriarchate, finally achieving full independence in 1959.
What is the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria?
During the Liturgy, parishioners often bow and kiss these religious images displayed on the walls and pillars of the church.
What are Icons?
The fasting period for Christmas (Gena) lasts approximately this many days.
What are 43 days (the Fast of the Prophets)?
This feast commemorates the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor.
What is Debre Tabor?
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church rejects the findings of this Ecumenical Council from 451 AD, which led to its separation from Chalcedonian Christianity.
What is the Council of Chalcedon?