History
Introduction
The Ethiopian Tewahedo* Church is an indigenous and integral church of Africa. It is one of the oldest churches in the world, if not the oldest, and is one of the founders of the World Council of Churches. Also, it has branches in other parts of the world such as Jerusalem, Sudan, the United States Of America, The Virgin Islands of the United States, Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Bermuda, England, Saint Kitts, Djibouti, Kenya, and West Germany. Approximately 75% of the Ethiopian population belongs to the church. The remaining Portion can be divided among other Christian denominations and Muslims and the Falasha. The church though independent, has maintained her special link with the Egyptian Coptic Church at Alexandria.
It adheres strictly to the doctrine that confesses the One Nature of Our Lord Eyesus Kristos and thus refused to conform to the teachings of Pope Leo’s Tome at the Council of Chalcedon in A.D. 451. Since the controversy at the council, the church has retained its faith, it’s ancient traditions and customs and its way of life. It is in full communion with the Egyptian Orthodox Church, the Jacobiet Church of Syria, The Syrian Orthodox Church of Malabar in India and the Armenian Orthodox Church.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church holds it’s own synods and Elects it’s own Patriarch. At present in 2012 by the Gregorian calendar and 2006 by The Julian Calendar there is no real Patriarch lawfully appointed, we are praying that the All Highest will resolve this tragic situation and we know that the Judgment is sure.
Even though there were always Ethiopians who from Adam retained the knowledge of the One True God in the first millennium B.C during the time of the visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, the whole country officially accepted the belief in One True God. The Church to the people means their lives. Most people devote much time to worship and prayers. In some Monasteries there are holy men who do not talk at all throughout their lives. Ethiopian Christians are known to be deeply religious fasting often and worshipping.
"...His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I is the defender of the faith. He attends Church services regularly and strictly observes the frequent Fast days and Holy days. He never misses Sunday morning services. He brought a strong Unity among the Eastern Orthodox Churches with their central office being organized in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and the central committee of the world council of churches had it’s meeting in January 1971 in Addis Ababa through His Majesty." (Mandefro, p.5)
The Nation Which is The Fountain Head Of Civilization
Can Modern civilization be defined without its origin? For many years now the world has been injured by the opposite act of man towards the truth. Man has broken the laws of nature and has violated truth and morality. Numberless facts have, especially in regards to Africa and Africans been denied, but can the facts presented to us now about History be in any measure uncertain? If the answer is yes, then that is why the history presented to us by the modern historian contradicts with the living facts of the civilization of man. It is true most of the ancient nations have fallen from the wisdom and happiness of their time. Yet if one carefully weighs the wisdom and knowledge they had, one shall find more reality in their glory. The development of arts and sciences as we have been informed came from the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Babylonia and elsewhere. But curiosity was aroused to go back over the historical facts of the ancient time in which first degree is given to Africa, where special credit is given to the Ethiopians. It is doubtless after going over these facts that industry, intelligence and justice were originated in Africa, but this historical truth was and is ignored by the average historian. It is therefore the responsibility of today’s man to seek for the truth to be revealed that will answer the problems of civilization of the past and today.(Abba Yesehaq)
Abba!
Copyright AbbaYesehaq.com All Rights Reserved