History of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is one of the most ancient Christian churches in the world, with roots that trace back to the apostolic age. Christianity reached Ethiopia in the first century through the preaching of the Apostles, fulfilling the biblical account of the Ethiopian eunuch who was baptized by Philip (Acts 8:26–39). This event is regarded as the earliest seed of the Christian faith in the Ethiopian land.
In the fourth century, Christianity became firmly established as the national religion of Ethiopia during the reign of Emperor Ezana of the Aksumite Empire. Through the missionary work of Saint Frumentius, later consecrated as the first bishop of Ethiopia (known as Abune Selama, “Father of Peace”), the Church was officially organized and deeply rooted in Ethiopian society. Ethiopia thus became one of the first nations in the world to formally adopt Christianity as a state religion.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church belongs to the family of Oriental Orthodox Churches, which also includes the Coptic, Armenian, Syriac, and Indian Orthodox Churches. Following the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, the Church upheld the ancient Christological teaching known as Tewahedo, meaning “being made one.” This doctrine proclaims the perfect and inseparable unity of the divine and human natures in the one Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, faithfully preserving the teaching handed down from the Apostles.
Throughout its long history, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has played a central role in shaping the spiritual, cultural, and national identity of Ethiopia. The Church preserved the Christian faith through centuries of political change, external pressures, and isolation from the rest of the Christian world. Monastic life flourished, producing saints, scholars, and missionaries who safeguarded doctrine, worship, and sacred traditions. Ancient churches carved from rock, illuminated manuscripts, sacred music, and liturgical poetry stand as living witnesses to this enduring heritage.
The Holy Scriptures hold a unique place in the Church, which maintains the widest biblical canon in Christendom. Alongside Scripture, Apostolic Tradition has been faithfully preserved through liturgy, teaching, fasting, and sacramental life. The Church’s worship remains deeply rooted in ancient practices, conducted in the Ge’ez language, and enriched by sacred chant, drums, and sistrums that reflect a continuous tradition dating back many centuries.
In the modern era, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has spread far beyond Ethiopia, serving faithful communities throughout Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Despite geographical expansion, the Church remains steadfast in preserving its apostolic faith, ancient liturgy, and moral teachings.
Today, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church continues its mission of proclaiming the Gospel, nurturing spiritual life, and bearing witness to the unchanging faith once delivered to the saints. Firmly rooted in antiquity yet living in the present, the Church remains a beacon of Orthodox Christianity, faithfully serving God and His people across generations.