Ethiopia is a Christian state with centuries of history. It was here that they tried to create a new Jerusalem when the Muslims captured it. Lovers of secrets and mysteries start searching for the Ark of the Covenant from here, and history lovers will be able to see the oldest church in Africa, built in 372 AD. e.
The main temples of Ethiopia
The most revered Orthodox churches on the territory of Ethiopia, which are worth a visit:
Ethiopia is a Christian state with centuries of history. It was here that they tried to create a new Jerusalem when the Muslims captured it. Lovers of secrets and mysteries start searching for the Ark of the Covenant from here, and history lovers will be able to see the oldest church in Africa, built in 372 AD. e.
The main temples of Ethiopia
The most revered Orthodox churches on the territory of Ethiopia, which are worth a visit:
- Lalibela is a world-famous monolithic temple that attracts not only pilgrims, but also ordinary tourists to Ethiopia. Unique structures are underground and completely carved out of stone. Total in the XIII century. 13 churches were built, tunnels were built between them, allowing quick access from one building to another. The most famous church of St. George is made in the form of a cross with sides of 12 m and height of 12 m. The idea of building churches came to the mind of the local ruler Lalibela, who decided here to found a new Jerusalem. He called the local river Jordan, and gave churches and other city structures Jerusalem names. After this, his subjects were given the nickname of Servant of the Cross (in the Ethiopian Gabra Maskal).
- The Church of Mary of Zion is considered the oldest cult building in Africa. It was built in the city of Axum in 372 on the ruins of a pagan place of idol worship. The temple was built huge and majestic, as a place of storage of the Ark of the Covenant. After the destruction of the church by Muslims in 1535, the relic was in Gondar . After 100 years, the Emperor of Ethiopia Fasilidas restored the church, significantly expanding it. In this form it has reached our days. The last and most revered emperor of Ethiopia in 1955 decided to erect a new temple without destroying the previous one. Already by 1964 the new building was solemnly opened, and one of the first churches was visited by the English Queen Elizabeth II. The main feature of the two churches of Mary of Sion is that only men are allowed into the old church, and both men and women can come to the new church.
- The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa is considered the main temple in Ethiopia. Here are the tombs of the emperors, including the buried Haile Selasie, who is loved and honored by his people until now. The opening of the cathedral is timed to the disposal of the Italian occupation. On the territory of the temple complex is also the church of Bale Wold, which is older than the main cathedral, a school, a theological seminary, a museum and a memorial dedicated to the heroes who died in the struggle against the Italian fascists.
- St. George's Cathedral in Addis Ababa is interesting primarily for its architecture, unusual for both Africa and Orthodox churches in general. A beautiful building in the shape of an octagon was built of brick and wood by captive Italians at the end of the 19th century. Inside is not only the temple, but also a small museum, telling about the battles between Ethiopia and Italy, here you can see a small collection of weapons. In this temple in the XX century. the last emperor Haile Selassie was crowned.
- Debre Berhan Selasie in the city of Gondar. It was built in the XVII century. from the local stone, inside completely covered with paintings. The church is considered not only a place of pilgrimage for Orthodox believers, but also a collection of Abyssinian art. From the painted ceiling to the parishioners watch the cherubs with huge eyes, which they watch for everyone who came to the temple. On the walls are historical and biblical stories. According to legend, it is here that the Ark of the Covenant is kept, although it is not exactly known.