June 12, 2014 – Churches 2nd series
(Copied from the official Ethiopian Post Office presentation folder/pamphlet)
History of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC)
The EOTC is an ancient, apostolic and historical church. It has been established in accordance
with the basic principles of the Old Testament and the arc of the covenant worshipping and
praising one God since creation and sooner received Christianity in its season in 34th AD
through an Ethiopian messenger.
In the meantime Axum and Yeah became the centers for religious and governmental affairs’
.ln 334 AD Axum received Christianity as a governance religion and become the first nation
in Africa and the second among the world king Ezana (Abraha) was the first to mold the cross
in gold on its coins. During 480 AD, the nine saint s refuges have contributed a lot in
promoting monarchical systems. Before the end of the first millennium and during the reign
of Queen Yodit Gudit, the country faced recession but managed to come stronger in the
Zagwe dynasty that contributed in arts and ancient civilizations. It was at this time that the
rock hewn churches like Lalibela were built. Then the church continued despite the attaches
from the Turks, Roman Catholic missionaries, “Derbush”, and Italians spiritual objectives
were integrated in to the country’s developmental, community leadership, educational, social
security, ethical, governmental administration, justice health and other affairs that Ethiopians
are proud of. There are many heritages under the church .some of them like the ancient Axum
Tsion, Gonder Deber Berhan Trinity, Ura Kidane Mehiret monastery and Kibran Gebriel
monastery were renowned for their.
Axum Tsion
Among ancient churches under the EOTC, the first prominent one was the Axum Tsion St.
Mary church. The church is found in the western Tigray Axum town .The Tsion arch was
imported by Menelik I from Jerusalem and put there in the 900 AD. After the first church
synagogue, it was told that Abraha and Atsbha led the church during the apostolic service of
Aba Salama Kesate Berhan. The church built at that time had 5 rooms and 12 temples with 72
divisions. This Church served for 600 years and was dismantled during the region of Yodit
Gudit.
After the first church was dismantled, the brother of Atse Anbasa built the seven rooms Axum
Tsion St. Mary Church. Sooner, the church was destroyed by Ahmed Gragn campaigners.
Then Atse Fasil re-constructed the presently available rectangular church. In this church,
women were not allowed to enter and to make it inclusive; king Hailellassie built the new
circular church to the premises.
The first school opened in the Axum Tsion by the Menelik I was to teach the priests with the
Old Testament to pass the system to the next generation. This school continued its services in
the New Testament and managed to have expertise like the wise man, St. Yared. It is for this
reason that Axum was regarded for its reputation in promoting civilization, knowledge and
known by most as the city of the priests having its historical heritages.
Gonder Debre Berhan St. Trinity
It is one of the ancient EOTC in the northern Ethiopia. It was built by Atse Adlyam Seged in
1686.The church was circular but it has a different shape at present.
The first church was destroyed by wear and tear and lighting. This church was oval in its
design in its original construction was aimed to contain Tsion arch brought from Axum but
did not succeed.
Hence the presently existing arch was brought from north Shoa Debre Berhan city through
Echege Tsega Kiristos. For this reason, the arch was called Debre Berhan St. Trinity as it
came from North Shoa.
When the city of Gonder was destroyed by the arrogance of “Derbush” aggression, this Deber
Berhan St. Trinity church was not affected. There are many heritages in the church;
particularly, the special and unique Ethiopian arts of the 17th and 18th century carved known
as Eif-Aelaf caparisoning the pictures of the 99 Angels Group was painted in the roof-top.
The painting is so fascinating that many local and foreign tourists visit it as the artistic
civilization of the then Ethiopians.
Ura Kidane Mehiret Monastery – Tana Island
is among the ancient, most aesthetic and specially designed heritages of the Ethiopian
orthodox Tewahedo church’s monasteries on the coast of the Tana Lake. There are many
monasteries on Tana Lake that have existed since the rock of ages without diminishing
aesthetically.
Among the monasteries the one is Ura Kidane Mehiret. The monasteries was found at the
time of emperor Adiyam Seged by Abba Yohannes and it was believed that the monastery
was built from 1674-1698 E.C11682-17061 there are also many ancient heritages in the Ura
Kidane Mehiret.
Kibran Gebriel Monastery – Tana Island
is among the ancient, most aesthetic and specially designed heritages of the Ethiopian
orthodox Tewahedo church monasteries on the coast of the Tana Lake. There are many
Monasteries on Tana Lake that have existed since the rock of ages without diminishing
aesthetically.
Among these monasteries, the most ancient biggest in size is the Kibran Gebriel monastery.
Kibran Gebriel is found in western Gojjam Diocese and it requires boat from Bahir Dar on the
Tana Lake to reach at this monastery. The monastery was founded by Abba Yohannes and it
was believed that the monastery was built from 1297-1327 E.C / 1305-1335 G.C. At present,
the monastery is about 700 years of age and females are not allowed to enter into this
monastery. Only men were allowed into this monastery, but near its vicinity there is
monastery for women, and it is called by the name of Abba Entones that serves the women.
There are many ancient heritages found only in the Kibran Gebriel monastery. A museum was
opened in the monastery and visited by local and expatriate visitors. Many researchers and
tourists have written and said many things about the amazing heritages inside Kibran
monastery.
Source: - Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC)