Established Religion
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the established religion in Ethiopia, having its roots in the Coptic Church of Alexandria of the 4th century. It is a member of the Oriental Orthodox communion, which makes it separate from the churches in the Eastern Orthodox communion, making it one of the oldest religions on the African continent. Around 60% of people in Ethiopia identify as Orthodox Christian and make up the majority of the country’s population. Ethiopia’s Byzantine-style art and architecture, and the liturgical language of Ge’ez are artifacts that demonstrate their Christianity.
The Bible of Ethiopia is called the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Bible and it is based on the King James Bible. It combines books from both the Old and New Testaments as well as books from the Apocrypha. The Ge’ez version is available in print, electronic and mobile formats. It is also available in other languages such as Arabic, Tigrigna and Amharic.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church includes many ecclesiastic rituals and spiritual practices that vary from local customs or doctrines, a vestige of its long history and heritage. Many of these rites are practiced to present day, including observances of saints, pilgrimages to shrines, processions, the burning of incense, the keeping of vigil and even the veneration of icons and relics. The Church is seen as the religious foundation of Ethiopia and its government is structured as a hierarchy of bishops.
Christian Denominations
In Ethiopia, Christianity is divided into several distinct denominations, with each denomination having its own rituals and traditions. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the largest and most influential, with around 58 million adherents. Other branches include the Ethiopian Catholic Church, the Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, and a number of Protestant denominations such as the Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Reformed churches. There is also a small number of Native Orthodox churches that are independent from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of evangelical movements, fueled largely by the influence of western mission efforts. Often these new movements have add an evangelical flavor to the ancient traditional practices of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and have gained large followings. One of the most prominent indigenous movements is the Kale Heywet Church, which emphasizes prayer and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church stands apart from the rest of Christianity in many other ways such as its unique sacraments and its use of the Coptic language in its liturgies. Many Ethiopians have a deep commitment to their faith and continue to adhere to it despite economic and political hardships.
Challenges To The Faith
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has faced a number of challenges in recent years, from external and internal sources. Despite the high number of believers, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has not been able to keep up with the growth of other Christian denominations, such as the Evangelicals, who actively engage in evangelization, mission work and outreach. In addition, a number of groups, such as the Muslim Al-Ahbash and the Baha’i Faith, are attempting to draw away members from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has also faced internal challenges. Many Ethiopian youth have become disillusioned with the long-established hierarchy and some are jaded by the Church’s political involvement, viewing it as an extension of the Ethiopian government. Furthermore, religious in-fighting and doctrinal squabbles have eroded the Church’s credibility and its ability to mobilize people. The Church also faces pressures from the media, which is attempting to influence the younger generations.
Baptism Practices
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church performs baptisms initially in infancy, typically by immersion. This is believed to be done on the eighth day of a newborn’s life, but is usually done at a much later date. It is common for the Church to conduct up to three immersions, which are done for the remission of sins. It is also believed to be important to imbue the individual with the communal spirit of the Orthodox Church.
Adolescent and adult baptisms are also done, but in a slightly different manner. First, the individual is expected to go through a period of catechism, in which they learn about the faith and the practices of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. This is followed by a period of fasting, in which they abstain from both food and other worldly pleasures. Once they have completed the catechism and fasting, they can be baptized, which is often done at a church by full-immersion only.
Marriage Practices
Marriage is seen as a spiritually-important union in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and is seen as the foundation for a strong family and wider society. Marriage is seen as a sacred bond that cannot be broken. For this reason, marriage is usually done through out traditional wedding ceremonies. The ceremony includes traditional Ethiopian music and prayer and may involve numerous rituals, depending on the denomination of the Church.
The Church is strict in terms of who can be married. For instance, marriage between an Orthodox Christian and a non-Christian is not allowed. In some cases, conversions are necessary if the non-Christian wishes to marry an Orthodox Christian. Divorce is also frowned upon and can only be given if the spouse is deemed an adulterer. Furthermore, polygamy is not recognized by the Church.
Fasting Practices
Fasting is an important part of the religious life of Ethiopians and is a common practice during special religious seasons, such as Lent and Advent. The fasting usually lasts for about two weeks and involves abstaining from certain foods and drinks, such as meat and dairy. This fasting is designed to help the individual to cleanse their bodies and their souls in preparation for the coming feast days.
Fasting is often done in conjunction with prayer and other spiritual practices. It is believed to bring about spiritual growth and insight, as well as serve as a reminder of the duty to give, not just to receive. Fasting is also seen as a way to bring people closer to God and to better understand His will.
Conclusion of Life and Death
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a deep faith in life after death. It teaches that upon a person’s death, their soul will ascend to Heaven to be with God. If a person dies with faith, they will go to Heaven; if they have committed sin or have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, they will be sent to hell. Ethiopians believe in the resurrection of the body and in life after death.
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church funerals are a complex ritual and involve a variety of traditional practices such as prayers, chanting, wailing, and the singing of hymns. After the funeral, a memorial service is usually held three days after the death. This is usually done in the home and involves prayers, blessings, readings from the Bible, and the sharing of memories about the deceased.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is a deeply-rooted Christian faith that has withstood the test of time. Despite the challenges it has faced in recent years, it remains an important part of the spiritual lives of many Ethiopians, as it has been for centuries.
