Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is a prominent Christian denomination based in Ethiopia and is part of the Oriental Orthodox family of churches. This church, which has a significant following—reportedly comprising around 43% of Ethiopia's population—traces its origins back to the early introduction of Christianity in the region, with historical traditions suggesting that St. Frumentius played a key role in its establishment in the 4th century CE. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church shares historical ties with the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt but diverged from the larger Christian community due to its rejection of certain ecumenical council teachings.
Distinct in its practices, the church emphasizes the Old Testament and incorporates some Jewish elements into its traditions, such as infant circumcision. Members engage in daily prayers and frequent fasting, reflecting a deep spiritual commitment. The church's liturgy, largely conducted in the ancient Ge'ez language, has roots in Coptic traditions but also features unique elements. The church operates under a hierarchical structure led by a patriarch and synod of bishops, emphasizing active participation from all baptized members. Throughout its history, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has navigated various challenges, including periods of revival and adversity, ultimately playing a crucial role in the spiritual landscape of Ethiopia and among its diaspora worldwide.
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Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is a Christian church based in Ethiopia. This church is in the Oriental Orthodox family of churches. The Oriental Orthodox churches are in communion with each other, but each church is separate from the others and has its own traditions. The Oriental Orthodox family of churches has some ties to the Eastern Orthodox Church, but they also have theological differences.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is an important organization in Ethiopia, with between 40 and 42 percent of the country’s population identifying as Ethiopian Orthodox. In the mid-2020s, the estimated number of members of the church stood at around 45 to 50 million. Although the largest concentration of Ethiopian Orthodox is in Ethiopia, other faithful are located in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, and Canada.
History
According to tradition, Christianity had been preached in Ethiopia since shortly after the time of Jesus; however, no reliable historical accounts of this early evangelism exist. One of the first people known to bring the message of Christianity to the region was St. Frumentius, who was shipwrecked along the coast of the Red Sea. St. Frumentius spread the message of Christianity in the area and was accepted by the emperor of Aksum. The emperor's son, Ezana, converted to Christianity, and Ezana named Christianity the kingdom’s national religion when he became the emperor around the year 330 CE. In the 400s, Christianity spread even further through the area, and paganism was nearly nonexistent in the country by the end of the century.
The Ethiopian church had strong ties to the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria in Egypt, and both of the churches rejected the teachings that came from the ecumenical Council of Chalcedon. The Ethiopian and Coptic churches believed that the teachings at Chalcedon were incorrect about Jesus's true nature. Because of the churches' rejection of these teachings, the Ethiopian and Coptic churches split from the main group of Christians. Later, this group of Christians would split numerous other times, developing a number of large and small Christian groups, including the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
From the 300s to the 600s, Christianity continued to spread in Ethiopia, and missionaries began monastic communities in the area. During this time, the Coptic Orthodox Church also took control over the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and this would last for many hundreds of years. During this time, people also translated the Bible into Geʿez, which is the language the Ethiopian Orthodox Church still uses in its liturgy today. After the seventh century, Islam became an important influence in the area, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church became less prominent. By the 1300s, the church saw a revival. The church continued to face obstacles and some persecution, but it survived and remained an important religious organization in Ethiopia.
In 1959, the Coptic Orthodox Church, headed by its patriarch, confirmed the separation of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church into its own church. During the 1970s, Ethiopia underwent a Marxist revolution. During communist rule, much of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's land was nationalized. However, the communist government collapsed in 1991, and the church was able to operate freely again.
However, as Patriarch Merkorios had resigned over accusations that he had collaborated with the communist government and ultimately fled to the United States, a rift formed in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church when he did not accept the election of a new patriarch in 1992. Others within the church began to side with Patriarch Merkorios, including other members who had been exiled, and a second synod was formed in the United States. In 2018, at a ceremony in Washington, DC, church delegates officially declared that the schism had ended, with Patriarch Merkorios returning to Ethiopia to serve as patriarch alongside Patriarch Mathias, who was elected in 2013 and will oversee administrative duties. Patriarch Abune Merkorios passed away in March 2022, ending the dual patriarchy. In 2025, Abune Mathias remained the sole Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
Beliefs
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has some similar beliefs as other Christian churches, but it also has some unique beliefs. The members of the church believe that God is a Holy Trinity made up of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They also believe that Jesus died for humans' sins. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church's scripture is the Bible. The Ethiopian Church puts more of an emphasis on the Old Testament than other Christian churches, and it continues to adhere to some Jewish traditions, such as circumcision for infant boys. The members of the church also believe that the Ark of the Covenant (a holy relic described in the Old Testament) rests in a chapel in Aksum.
Members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church pray seven times a day: in the morning, in the third hour, in the sixth hour, in the ninth hour, in the evening, before bed, and at midnight. Many faithful try to say the morning and evening prayers in church. Church members are encouraged to attend church even if they are sick, as they might be healed by prayer. Fasting is also an important way for members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church to express their faith. They fast on most Wednesdays and Fridays, and they fast during other times of the year, such as during Lent.
The liturgy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has its origins in the Coptic liturgy, but it also has a number of differences. The Ethiopian liturgy is traditionally said in the Geʿez language; however, more of the Ethiopian churches are celebrating the liturgy in Amharic, the Ethiopian national language.
Organization
Like many other Orthodox churches, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a hierarchy that is headed by a patriarch. The patriarch of the church is elected by a synod. A synod is a group of bishops who help make important decisions for the church. The next level of the hierarchy includes bishops. The members of the church believe that the bishops are following in the path of Jesus's apostles. Priests and deacons are also members of the hierarchy, which also consists of all members of the church. All church members who have received baptism and chrismation are official members of the church and are expected to play a role in the church; this might include teaching, healing, and pastoral work.
Bibliography
Diamant, Jeff. "Ethiopia Is an Outlier in the Orthodox Christian World." Pew Research Center, 28 Nov. 2017, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/11/28/ethiopia-is-an-outlier-in-the-orthodox-christian-world. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
"Ethiopia's Exiled Patriarch Bishop Merkorios Returns." BBC News, 1 Aug. 2018, www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-45031578. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
“Ethiopian Orthodox Church (1959 - Present) - Religious Group.” Association of Religion Data Archives, www.thearda.com/us-religion/group-profiles/groups?D=299. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
Matthew, P. K. "The Hierarchy." The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Faith and Order, www.ethiopianorthodox.org/english/ethiopian/hierarchy.html. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
"Orthodox Christianity in the 21st Century." Pew Research Center, 8 Nov. 2017, www.pewforum.org/2017/11/08/orthodox-christianity-in-the-21st-century. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
Sellassie, Sergew Hable, and Belaynesh Mikael. "Worship in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church." The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Faith and Order, www.ethiopianorthodox.org/english/ethiopian/worship.html. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
Tamerat, Taddese. "A Period of Conflict (C. 700–1200 A.D)." The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Faith and Order, www.ethiopianorthodox.org/english/ethiopian/periodofconflict.html. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.