In the run up to Easter I thought it would be interesting to take a closer look at the role that Christianity has played in Ethiopia. It is one of the most historically and religiously significant places in the world but not many people know about its past. Those that do visit Ethiopia are stunned by the vast number of holy sites which have amazingly survived pretty much intact. Modern Ethiopia is still a deeply religious country and unlike most other African nations, Ethiopia is a devoutly Christian country with around 60% of the population belonging to a Christian Church (including Catholics and Protestants). The Ethiopian Church has strong links with the Coptic Church of Egypt and is thought to have been formed in 1 AD before becoming the state religion under King Ezana the Great of Aksum in the 4th century. This means that the majority of Ethiopians practise a truly ancient form of Christianity. It is the largest and oldest Oriental Orthodox Church in the world with almost 50 million members.
Aksum’s geographic location was vital to establishing Christianity in Ethiopia. It was close to major international trade routes through the Red Sea between India and the Roman Empire. It was actually Frumentius, a shipwrecked young man who was converted by Roman merchants and who became an elevated member of the Royal Court that lead to the adoption of Christianity by the King. Christianity afforded the possibility of unifying the many diverse ethnic and linguistic peoples of the Aksumite kingdom. Aksum was one of the earliest states to develop a coin system in order to service its sophisticated and prosperous economy and the first to put a cross on its coinage.
If you wish to visit the religious sites of Ethiopia then you should definitely include Lalibela, perhaps the most famous of them all. This site is home to 12 monolithic or rock-hewn churches including the Church of St George. How they managed to carve these churches from underground and the rock face itself back in the 13th century is just mind boggling. The Churches can be visited today where you can admire the intricate carving and the incredible work they put into these buildings. The layout of Lalibela is supposed to mirror image Jerusalem as a symbol of their religious devotion.
In Axum (Aksum), an ancient capital of Ethiopia and home to the Kings, you can find the basilic Church of our Lady Mary of Zion. This is believed to be the home of the Ark of the Covenant that Moses carried with him during the Great Exodus. No one is allowed access to it for fear of the dire biblical warnings associated with the Ark so many religious scholars doubt that the Ark is really there. Interestingly such is the significance of the Ark to their religion that an Ethiopian church must have a replica known as a tabot to be kept on the altar and only handled by the priest. There is plenty more to explore in Axum as there are many stelae or obelisks dating back 1700 years and historic royal palaces; a relic of the time when Axum was the capital of Ethiopia (from 400BC – 1000AD).
Easter (known as Fasika) in Ethiopia is usually later than western Churches celebrate as it follows the Eastern Calendar. It is taken much more seriously than Christmas and starts at the beginning of Lent when fasting is performed and no animal products are consumed throughout Lent. Everyone attends Church on Good Friday when they stand and then prostate themselves until the point of exhaustion. The main service at Church is on the Saturday night which is held at midnight and is a serious occasion with music and prayer. At 3am the service finishes and people eat a celebratory meal before heading home for a rest. Easter Sunday is then a major celebration with lots of feasting and meeting with friends and family.
If you want to know more about Ethiopia or see these places for yourself please give our expert Lily a call!
Posted by Ruth
