Home » Religion
Abyssinian Christianity: The First Christian Nation?
For centuries, historians have widely accepted the argument that Armenia was the first Christian nation. Armenia’s claim on this meaningful title is primarily based upon the celebrated 5th century work of Agathangelos’ The History of the Armenians. In it, he says that after the Armenian King Trdat III was baptised c. 301/314, he decreed Christianity was the state religion. While one cannot...
Ethiopia elects Patriarch of Orthodox Church
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has elected a new patriarch to replace the previous head who died in August, officials said Thursday.
“Abune Matthias… arch-bishop of Jerusalem (for the Ethiopian church) was elected with a majority,” said Daniel Sefermikael, a church official.
He said Matthias got about 500 out of 806 votes cast by members of the church living...
Ethiopian Christians celebrate Demera, the discovery of Jesus’ cross
By Tinishu Solomon
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Millions of Ethiopian Orthodox church members on Wednesday celebrated the Demera, the eve of the discovery of the cross on which Jesus Christ is believed to have been crucified.
Celebrations began in the afternoon with tens of thousands of followers gathering at Meskel Square to celebrate the holy day, together with hundreds of pilgrims, tourists and...
Demera celebrated colorfully throughout Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Demera, the eve of the Finding of the True Cross (Maskel) upon which Jesus Christ was crucified, was celebrated on Wednesday colorfully throughout the country.
Here in the capital, the day was celebrated in the presence of tens of thousands of residents of the Addis Ababa City, members of the diplomatic community and foreign tourists as well as senior government officials....
The Celebration of ‘Maskal’ – Finding of the True Cross
BY ERMIAS GULILAT
Maskal is an ancient seasonal rite, which has become an integral part of the Ethiopian Christian Calendar. This national holiday has been celebrated throughout Ethiopia for centuries and is one of the most important annual festivals. The 26thSeptember is the eve of Maskal, a feast commemorating the Finding of the True Cross.
By the middle of the afternoon the celebrations start....
Abune Paulos buried
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians gathered on Thursday at the St. Trinity Cathedral Church in Addis Ababa to pay their last respects to the late patriarch, Abune Paulos who died last week at 76.
Representatives from various countries, bishops and heads of churches including Coptic Church of Egypt, Syria and India, General Secretary of World Churches, representatives...
EOC Holy Synod appoints Abune Nathnael as Caretaker Patriarch
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ENA) – The Ethiopian Orthodox Church Holy Synod has appointed Arssi Diocese Patriarch, Abune Nathaniel as caretaker patriarchp of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC).
The Holy Synod General Secretary and Keffa Sheka Benchi and Maji Dioceses Patriarch, His Holiness Abune Hiskele told journalists that the Synod in its meeting on Monday elected Abune Nathaniel to serve as...
Ethiopian Orthodox Church patriarch Abune Paulos dies
The head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abune Paulos, has died aged 76, the government has announced.
The foreign ministry said he had been receiving treatment over the past week for an undisclosed illness.
The patriarch’s office is due to hold an emergency meeting on Friday to finalise arrangements for what is expected to be a state funeral.
Abune Paulos led Ethiopia’s 40 million Orthodox...
Timkat “Epiphany” celebrated in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ERTA) - The feast of Timkat (Baptism in Amharic) was colorfully celebrated throughout Ethiopia yesterday.
Timkat, which celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, is the most important Christian holiday in Ethiopia.
The celebration attracts thousands of foreign tourists to the country annually.
The holiday was celebrated with various religious...
Ketera, Eve of Ethiopian Epiphany colorfully celebrated
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ENA) – Ketera, an eve of the Ethiopian Epiphany was colorfully celebrated here on Thursday by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church followers in different parts of the country.
The celebration was colorfully held in particular at Jan-meda where students of Sunday schools, deacons, priests and the faithful dressed in religious attires were gathered.
The celebration of...
