Origins Of Ethiopia’s Christianity
Christianity in Ethiopia has a long, deeply rooted history. Ethiopia is one of the earliest nations to accept Christianity and has managed to survive numerous invasions and expansions of foreign religions in its 2,000 year-old history. Christianity first arrived in the country when a Syrian named Frumentius visited the court of the Aksumite King Ezana in 330 A.D. and introduced the religion.
Aksum was a great trading nation in the ancient world and it was international travellers who brought Christianity to Ethiopia. Theophilus, a convert of Frumentius, was appointed Bishop to Aksum by Emperor Constantinus in 332 A.D. According to the writings of Rufinus, Theophilus was the first Christian bishop to be appointed in the whole of Africa.
In the fifth century, Egyptian monks introduced the Coptic Christian faith to Ethiopia, and by the early sixth century, Ethiopian Christianity was firmly established. Ethiopia’s Christianity largely comprised of Coptic rites, although several liturgical reforms were also introduced by Syrian monks to modernize the Church.
The Church of Ethiopia gained independence after successfully expelling the rule of Arab Muslims during the 8th and 9th centuries. This enabled Ethiopians to practice and maintain their faith free from foreign influences. In time, Ethiopia’s Christianity became strongly intertwined with ancient pagan customs, traditions and beliefs.
In the twentieth century, the structure and organisation of the Church of Ethiopia underwent a series of changes. Under Emperor Haile Selassie’s regime, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church was officially established as the national Church in 1930. This made Christianity the state religion and its principles were used to guide policy and social behaviour.
Underlying Beliefs
The Church of Ethiopia follows an array of beliefs and practices, which are unique to the nation. It follows a calendar that is seven years behind the Western calendar, has its own form of the New Testament and its own form of the Psalms of David in Ge’ez, the ancient language of Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church strongly encourages fasting and pilgrimages, as well as rituals relating to saints and the Virgin Mary. Ethiopia’s Christian practices remain largely unchanged since the early days when Christianity first arrived in the country, with Ethiopians embracing the same theology, liturgy and spiritual practices that originated thousands of years ago.
The Church of Ethiopia teaches a ‘high’ theology, which is firmly based on the doctrine of Monophysitism, introduced in the fifth century. This means that adherents view Jesus as having only one will and one nature, which are both divine. This differs from the traditional Christian view of Jesus, which is based on his two natures.
The Church of Ethiopia also follows the doctrine of sin and salvation, where baptism and good deeds prepare an individual for their eternal salvation. This doctrine argues that individuals are capable of choosing whether their future is either good or evil, and will be judged on their actions. Individuals who live sinful and wicked lives will endure eternal punishment and suffering.
Decision Making and Authority
The Church of Ethiopia is organised in a hierarchical structure, with the Abuna of Ethiopia at the top of the leadership. He is the chief cleric, appointed by the Emperor, and is the only figure in the Ethiopian Church with the authority to appoint bishops and priests.
The Abuna is elected by the clergy, after they seek guidance and advice from their communities regarding potential candidates. He is elected to power twice; first elected by the council, then gaining his position after securing a two-thirds majority of votes from the lay commission.
Under the Abuna are individual archdeconals, who control small groups of priests and lay people in a particular locality. They are in charge of carrying out religious processes and controlling the moral behaviour of the local population.
Legacy
The Church of Ethiopia has influenced the country for centuries, acting as a source of guidance, structure and stability. It enabled the country to endure numerous invasions from external forces and provided a uniform set of beliefs and practices.
The church offers Ethiopians an opportunity to enter into a relationship with God and offers individuals spiritual comfort and a sense of purpose. It also serves as an important link between the past and the present, helping Ethiopians to better understand their culture and connection to their ancestors.
The Church of Ethiopia continues to evolve, keeping up with the changing times, while still adhering to the same ancient beliefs and customs that have been held since the dawn of Christianity in Ethiopia.
Political Influence
The Church of Ethiopia has also exerted a substantial amount of political influence in the country, particularly during recent decades. Church leaders have actively been involved in the development of policy, as well as social and economic reforms.
For example, the Church has sought to combat corruption, advocated for the protection of natural resources and provided aid to the poorest members of society. The Church has also played a major role in the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing vital resources and support to those in need.
Ethiopian Church officials have also been involved in the country’s efforts to gain international recognition for the region of Eritrea, for example, offering Pope John Paul II their backing in the 1990s.
Liturgical Practices
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church practices a unique form of liturgy. It has a long history of written prayers in its language, Ge’ez, as well as a distinctive style of chanting, which is used to perform its religious ceremonies.
Prays are performed in chant and intoned in a melodic and jubilant manner, with many prayers being recited in a combination of tones and rhythms. Unique instruments such as the sistrum, African drums and a slide guitar are used to accompany the chanting.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church also follows a number of traditional practices, such as anointment with oil and water, liturgical processions and the adoration of relics, icons and other objects. It places a high value on processions, as these are seen as important ritualistic acts that involve the entire community.
Diversity within the Church
The Church of Ethiopia is a diverse, multi-ethnic institution. There are over 500,000 Christians living in Ethiopia, and the country is home to members of different faiths, such as Protestants, Lutherans and Catholics.
Despite the myriad of denominations within Ethiopia, the Church of Ethiopia has managed to remain strong and welcoming. It embraces followers of all denominations and provides a safe place for all to worship together.
The Church of Ethiopia is also the home of over 20,000 ancient manuscripts, which date back to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. These manuscripts provide invaluable insight into the ancient faith and beliefs of the Ethiopian people, making them a valuable source of historical knowledge.
Conflicts and Challenges
Despite the longevity and strength of the Church, it has faced a number of challenges over the centuries. It has endured episodes of persecution and has had to deal with the rise of religious extremism.
The Church of Ethiopia is also struggling to keep up with the rapid rate of technological innovation. It is attempting to use technology to strengthen its power and reach, but it is having difficulty adapting to the changing times.
The Church is also facing increased competition from evangelical and charismatic Protestant churches, particularly among the youth. To combat this, the Church has been attempting to modernise its services and make them more appealing to the younger generation.
Rock-Hewn Churches
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is renowned for its rock-hewn churches, which are scattered throughout the country. These churches are highly sophisticated and intricately designed, with many dating back over 1,000 years.
More than 170 churches, carefully carved into solid rock, are spread over 11 regions in Ethiopia. Each of these churches holds a unique architectural and artistic value, making them iconic landmarks in the country.
The most famous of these churches is the 11th century Lalibela, located in the Lasta Mountains. This church is the most visited church in Ethiopia and is still used for religious ceremonies to this day.
Conclusion Towards Future
The Church of Ethiopia has a long and complex history. It has endured thousands of years of changes and challenges and has managed to remain a strong and vital institution in the country.
Despite facing a number of difficulties, the Church of Ethiopia has managed to maintain its relevance and its authority. It continues to provide guidance and comfort to its adherents and serves as a reminder of Ethiopia’s long and unique religious heritage.
As Ethiopia continues to modernise, the Church of Ethiopia faces a number of new challenges. But with its unwavering faith, commitment to its traditional beliefs and dedication to its cause, the Church of Ethiopia is well-positioned to weather the changes of the future.
