The History of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC)
Quick Facts
  • The EOTC has 32 dioceses throughout Ethiopia
  • The church also has dioceses in Jerusalem, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
  • Membership of over 40 million
  • 30 thousand monasteries
  • 400 thousand clergymen
The EOTC Place in History and the Bible
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church should not only be considered as a historical and religious guardian of the country. It must also be looked upon as the center of the Christianity in the Horn of Africa. This was achieved through a great deal of sacrifices which allowed Ethiopians to have their own Christian heritage and history. This distinction has made Ethiopia the symbol of unity and independence.

It is apparent that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has greatly contributed to the country’s independence, social progress, and unity. It is a matter of great importance that present and future generations understand these historical and social contributions.

Historically, Ethiopia is well known in the Bible and other secular literature, moreover it is a country that is known for having rich history which is based on “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” which has become the basis of religious practices. (Ps. 110; Pro.1:7)

Ethiopia and Ethiopians occupy a prominent place alongside those countries which are well known in Holy Scriptures, ancient historical manuscripts, and archeological research findings around Nile Valley.

The Role of Queen Sheba
In spite of the fact that worship in one true God has always been the basis of the Ethiopian religious practices for a long time, it was not until the time of the Queen of Sheba that significant steps were taken to strengthen the belief. After having received information about King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba made the journey to the kingdom of King Solomon in Jerusalem to create an alliance between the two civilizations. The relationship created an environment that was conducive for the introduction and teachings of the Old Testament. It was also during this period the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia. From that time onwards the Old Testament became the basis of the religious belief-practice and teachings of the people. This eventually enabled Ethiopia to become the permanent seat of the Ark of the Covenant (1Kgs. 10:1-9)
Ethiopia’s Relationship with Jerusalem
Because of these historical cultural and religious relationships with Jerusalem, the Ethiopians often traveled to the Holy land, crossing the deserts on foot and animal back. As a result of these dialogs and trades between the two nations Ethiopians were able to gain control of places of worship in the city of David. This ownership of worshiping centers in Jerusalem is a symbol of honor and pride not only to Ethiopians but also to other Africans, African Americans, and the whole of the African Diaspora. The historical and religious relationship also opened the way to Christianity in Ethiopia. The Holy Bible tells us that an Ethiopian eunuch who happened to be in Jerusalem for the purpose of worshiping in the 1st century A. D. brought Christianity to Ethiopia (Acts. 8:26-39).
Brief Significant Periods in the History of the Church

The establishment of the Bishopric and the administration of all the Sacraments was started in the 4th century A.D. The first Bishop of Ethiopia, Frumentius (Abune Selama) was appointed by the Patriarch of Alexandria, Athanasius. This marked the beginning of the religious relationship between Alexandria and Ethiopia.

Ethiopia, even before the birth of Christ and the introduction of the Christianity used to follow the teachings of the Old Testament (Laws of Moses) as its religious and moral codes. After the introduction of Christianity both the Old and New Testament became the basis of Christian belief.

Between the 4th and 7th century A.D the majority of the Holy scriptures were translated from Greek and other ancient advanced languages to the national language of Geez It is also during this period a large number of the historical churches and monasteries were built in Ethiopia. In addition, the well known scholar, poet, and musician St. Yared, composed and performed his major works which is still used in the Ethiopian Orthodox church.

Today the church provides extensive spiritual and social service as per the regulations laid down in the Church proclamation (Kale Awadi) extending from the Patriachate to the Parish church.
The Prayer of Faith
We believe in one God the Father almighty, maker of heaven, earth and all things visible and invisible. And we believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of the Father who was with Him before the creation of the world:

Light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one essence with the Father: By whom all things were made, and without Him was not anything in heaven or earth made: Who for us men and for our salvation came-down from heaven, was made man and was incarnate from the Holy spirit and from the holy Virgin Mary.

Became man, was crucified for out sakes in the days of Pontius Pilate, suffered, died, was buried and rose from the dead on the third day as was written in the Holy Scriptures

Ascended in glory into heaven, sat at the right hand of His Father, and will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; there is no end of His reign.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the life-giving God, who proceedeth from the Father; we worship and glorify Him with the Father and the Son; who spoke by the prophets;

And we believe in one holy, universal, apostolic church,

And we believe in one baptism for the remission of sins, and wait for the resurrection from the dead and the life to come, world without end. Amen.
The Glory of the Holy Virgin Mary
Our Church teaches about the covenant of intercession given to Our Lady with Biblical truth and absolute Apostolic tradition. Our Lady, who is blessed was chosen by God to be the abode of His son and the dwelling of the Spirit (Heryacos Liturgy 45; Ps.132:13). Our Lady is the most prominent from all angels. She is pre-eminent in honor and intercession from all saints. Other ladies are honored for having given birth to prophets, saints, and martyrs. But our Lady is honored as the Mother of God. Therefore, the honor accorded to the Virgin Mary is below the Creator and above all His creations.

As Noah’s Ark became the cause of saving the human race from extinction our Lady is also God’s trusted repository for being the cause of God’s act of redemption by giving birth to the Savior Messiah.

Intercession of Mary

The holiness, covenant, and intercession given to Our Holy Lady, the Virgin Mary is quite widely taught and deeply rooted in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

She received an irreversible word from Jesus that all who beg for mercy and forgiveness in her name believing that she is the mother of Christ shall have their supplications answered. Jesus said to his disciple “here is your mother” (Jn. 19:26) and thus gave her to the custody of the Church. The Holy Bible attests to these honors of hers, and since Holy Angeles and the sons of Adam revere her, the church therefore, preserving the word of her Son, Jesus Christ, reveres, honors, thanks, and implores in her name (Liturgy of Jacob of Serough 99).
The Honor Accorded to Saints
The word holy (Kidus) in Geez denotes being special, pure, and esteemed. This prefix is an attribute to denote the nature of God is Holy by nature. Hence the word holiness is given to saints and blessed people who are at the service of God who is Holy by nature. The word Kidus is used to describe Prophets, Apostles, Righteous, and Martyrs. As a result of their honor they have received from God the church venerates them. It honors them by dedicating churches, keeping a written record of their services and miracles they have performed in the name of God. Angels are close aides to God. They are always by His throne praising him (Rev.4:8-11). They are fast in their service (Ps. 103:4; Heb. 1:6). They ascend and descend between God and humans (Jn. 1:52; Heb 1:14).

Their intercession

Angeles, Prophets, Apostles, Righteous, and Martyrs serve as interceding agents between God and humans. As written in the Holy Bible they present before God the prayers, offerings, and alms of humans and help them receive reward from God. It is a grace given to them by God and they are the messengers who proclaim happiness, offer solace, and serve as the harbingers of all good tidings (Gen. 48:16; Dan. 10:10-12; Lk. 1:13; 28-30; Jude 9). Angeles take delight in the act of those who repent as written in Luke 15:10. This indicates the love and concern they have for humans and their ministering role.

In general, the role of Angels includes:

  • Ministering between humans and God
  • To present prayers, alms, and offering to God
  • To bring God’s mercy and bounty to humans (Dan.9:20-22; Lk. 1,13; Acts 10:3-5)
  • To bring before God the soul of humans after death (Lk. 16:22; Sutu. Ez. 6.6-20)
  • To unfailingly guard every creature (Mt.18:10; Dan. 4:13)
  • They are sent for both for mercy or wrath (Rom. 9:22)
  • They are sent to bring solace and help in times of suffering and hardship (Acts 12:7-11;Ps. 89:7)
  • They are sent to separate the sinners from the righteous when the world comes to and end (Mt. 24:31; Rev. 7, 1-4).

The Order of Fasts

Fasting is abstinence from all things that the body desires. The purpose of fasting is to control the desire of the body to obey the will of the soul, to seek forgiveness, and to increase the reward of the soul.

In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church this is done by abstaining from eating animal products. Individuals also abstain from food for certain amounts of time until the period of fasting is over. (Fetha Negest 15, Mt. 6:16)

Fasting has a broader religious meaning and it does not only mean abstaining from food only. As written in the Bible “Blessed are those who fast to feed the poor.” Individuals are encouraged to share what they have been blessed with. This can be done by helping those that are less fortunate in various ways including giving alms, sharing their knowledge, time, and kindness.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has its own laws and orders of fasting. Accordingly, these are seven fasting periods.

  1. The Great Fast (Lent): This is the fast that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ fasted to serve as an example for us for forty days and nights after his baptism.(Mt. 4:1)
  2. Wednesdays and Fridays: Wednesday and Fridays are should always be observed every week in prayers and fasting (The Law of Kings article 15; Didas 29). These two days signify the remembrance of our Saviour Christ who died for the sake of mankind.
  3. Nineveh: It is a three day fast, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It falls sometimes in January and at another in February. Thus it is one of the rotating fasts. The reason behind the decision of our Church Fathers, that this fast be observed is that as the people of Nineveh were saved from the wrath of God through prayer and fasting, so the faithful fast in seeking to receive mercy and blessings through this fast. (jon. 3:5-9; Mt. 12:39).
  4. Gehad: This fast is observed on the eves of Christmas and Epiphany. On Christmas and Epiphany, the Holy Liturgy is celebrated starting at midnight until 3:00 am.
  5. Fast of the Prophets (Advent): This period of fast extends from November 15 - December 29. It is observed following the examples of the prophets who were fasting and praying in their times longing for the Advent of Christ.
  6. The fast of the Apostles: The Apostles observed this fast after they received the Holy Spirit and before they set out to proclaim the Gospel. This period extends from May to July (Ethiopian Calendar). It is one of the rotating fasts.
  7. The Fast of Assumption of the Virgin Mary: The fasts last from August 1-15th. In Ethiopia this fast is observed by all Orthodox Christians including children. This fast is observed following the examples of the Apostles who fasted and prayed so that the lord will reveal the body of our Lady. On the 14th day her body was revealed to them by the angels and on the 16th day her assumption took place.

The Order of Prayer
Prayer is a word by which man communicates with his Creator in Faith, thanking and beseeching Him for the forgiveness of his sin.(Fetha Negest 14:528). The basis of prayer is divine word which runs “Ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you”. (Mt. 7:7). For prayer, there is a particular time and place. The times during which the clergy and the laity go to church are morning and evenings.
Canonical Hours of Prayer
Prayers are said seven times a day;-(Ps. 118:164) In the morning, At the third hour, At noon, At the ninth hour, At sun set, At bed time and At midnight. There are three kinds of prayers. These are: Private prayer, Family prayer and Public prayer.
The Order of Alms Giving
Alms giving are among the most important religious deeds. The basis of alms is “Give your bread to the hungry, bring the homeless poor into your house, do not be indifferent to the hungry in your house, blessed are those who have compassion”. (Is. 58:6-8 Nt, 5:7)
The Order of Prostration
Prostration is an act of homage performed by kneeling and prostrating on the ground in order to supplicate the Creator, the Lord God. This is based on “Thou shall worship the Lord thy God”, and “Hear the voice of m supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands towards thy holy oracle”. (Deut. 6:13; Mt. 4:10; Ps. 28:2). Such a prostration is called prostration of worship. It is offered only to God.(Mt. 4:10). The prostration that is offered to God should be done in spirit and in truth. (Jn. 4:24). In Ethiopian Orthodox Church practice, the order of prostration is divided into three; prostration, kneeling and bowing.


Order of Church Feasts

In Accordance with the cannon of the Church, there are nine major feast days of Our Lord.

  • Tsinset (Annunciation Feast of Incarnation)
  • Lidet (Christmas)
  • Timket (Epiphany)
  • Debre Tabor (Transfiguration)
  • Hosanna (Palm Sunday)
  • Siqlete (Crucifixion)
  • Tensae (Easter)
  • Ereget (Ascension)
  • Paracletos (White Sunday).
Apart from the major nine feast-days, there are other nine minor feast-days.
  • Sibket (the First Sunday before Christmas)
  • Birhan (the second Sunday before Christmas)
  • Nolawi (the Third Sunday before Christmas)
  • Genna (Christmas Eve)
  • Gizret (Circumcision)
  • Lidete Simeon (Presentation of the Lord)
  • Kana Ze Gelila (Feast of Canan of Galilee)
  • Debere Zeit (Mt. Olive)
  • Mesekel (Finding of the True Cross)
Tradition (Tewfit)
Our Church, being an ancient, historical and Apostolic Church has not only maintained but kept alive the tradition that has been handed down from our forefathers. According to the teachings and rites of our Church the traditions are:
  • Kissing the Cross
  • Bowing down before icons and the cross
  • Wearing a thread around the neck (Mahetebe)
  • Burning of incense in Churches
  • Utilizing different types of ecclesiastical objects in the conduct of services
  • Religious vestments that are worn by clergy
  • Mode of construction of Churches and their internal divisions
  • Other ceremonial vestments and objects used in the church service

The History of "Meskel" (The Finding of the True Cross)

According to Ethiopian Orthodoxy, after the ascension of Jesus, the cross on which he was crucified began performing extraordinary miracles. This raised the ire of the people who crucified Jesus, who then ordered the cross to be removed and buried in the outskirts of town. Residents living in the surrounding areas were commanded to dump their garbage on the site, and for the next three centuries the area turned into wasteland.

Three hundred years later, in the early fourth century, the Roman Empire was being ruled by Constantine the Great. His mother, St. Elleni (Helena), concerned about the plight of Christians, beseeched her son to allow the free practice of Christendom in her son’s empire. The Emperor consented, and St. Elleni traveled from Constantinople to Jerusalem to look for the buried Cross. Once in Jerusalem, however, no one could tell her the exact spot where it lay. It is said that she went into seclusion and prayed for God’s guidance.

As a result of her prayer, St. Michael the Archangel appeared unto her and gave her certain instructions. She ordered her soldiers and the local residents to gather a pile of firewood. After a prayer, a fire was set ablaze the wood. Clergymen doused incense on the flame and the smoke of the incense rose up towards the sky then arched down to the earth, pointing out the exact spot where the Holy Cross was buried.

Following this miraculous sign, digging began and commenced for six months until the True Cross was discovered.

This has been the premise of the celebration of “Mesqel” in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Since then, clergy and parishioners have dressed in traditional, colorful clothing to sing ancient hymnals dating back to the sixth century. A bonfire is lit up to memorialize the finding of the True Cross.