He went to a shrine you would have said. There is no way that is scriptural what he did. It's not compulsory he displays his hypocrisy by trying to associate with the church aside it's not church of the "Living God".

OluKayy:


So why name it a church when it is typically a SHRINE?

Any place if worship is a shrine,including the Vatican.

LorDBolton:


Oga grow up it doesn't matter where the ride was manufactured, the palace paid for it, @least it wasn't a gift from britain.

Every kingdom engages in trade so wtf r u saying?

My grouse is why such extravagance especially in this time of recession? The unique thing about our obaship is its deep connection with the people.

If he continues this way the people will become disillusioned with the obaship /palace

No doubts, an Oba is entitled to whatever luxury his people can afford to offer him.

But imagine the unprintable Naira Cost of that Rolls Royce.

Now, on the hand, imagine if the Oba had ordered for a customized luxury sedan or Jeep and made these very public appearances on an Innoson vehicle .
Imagine the impact, culturally, politically and economically the body language he would have telegraphed not only to the world, but to our political elites and and his subjects.

Todays Oba's, rather than being cultural icons, are too eager to be trendy and Kardashian.

[size=14pt]The Aruosa[/size]

By: Naiwu Osahon

Leaders and priests of all the Idu deities agreed that while they should continue with their various individual efforts to reach Osanobua, they should also come together regularly to plead and pray with one voice for Osanobua’s direct intervention and blessings in their lives.  They each first went through self purification processes such as fasting and spiritual cleansing, and collectively cleansed the place chosen for the prayer gathering.  The prayer sessions at the gathering point, went on regularly for a long while without any noticeable change in their plight, so one day, one of them, a powerful spiritual leader and priest by the name Okhuaihe, offered to take the people’s prayers and pleas to Osanobua in heaven.  That meant dying for the uplift of his people, of course.  The Idu people reluctantly agreed with him and promised to continue to pray at the chosen spot until he returned, or forever if he failed to return. 


They continued praying at the same spot regularly for years and still Okhuaihe did not return and there was no visible change in their circumstance.  Droughts were still ravaging the earth and many were dying helplessly from hunger and diseases.  To mark the prayer spot, they planted the Uwerhien ‘otan tree, and heaped earth at its base to create a shrine to Osanobua.  This was the only spot where direct prayers were offered to God in Idu land.  At every other shrine, whether at home or in communal settings, they prayed through their ehi and deities.  Still, Okhuaihe did not come back but one day, darkness fell on earth at noon.  A huge ball of fire descended from the sky and with it came a thunderous voice confirming the presence of Osanobua and suggesting that Okhuaihe’s mission had not been in vain.  The voice said: “Okhuaihe delivered your message to me, but your wishes are against my creative will and I will not grant them.” 

A while after the voice spoke, another ball of fire descended from the sky through the darkness and fell on earth to lift the darkness.  Idu people were expecting Okhuaihe to return with the lifting of darkness but he didn’t, so they declared that: Aimi ‘ose no ye ‘rinmwin.”  Meaning life after death is beyond understanding. Idu people, however, consoled themselves with the thought that the new ball of fire from the sky must have brought a message from Osanobua.  They organized a search party to locate where it fell and what it was.  At the spot where the ball of fire fell, at the junction of Igbesanwman and today’s Aruosa Street, they found a strange huge black stone.  The unique black stone, which looks alien to our world, is one of the relics the British took away during their sacking and burning of Benin City in 1897. Idu people named the stone ‘Aruosa,’ meaning the Eye of Osanobua (God) watching over His creation.  It is a symbol of Idu people’s direct experience of God.  They built a proper house of worship at the spot where they had always gone to pray to Osanobua.  This happened over 3000 years ago.  The ancient site is at a place known today as Akpakpava Road.  Therefore, nobody can teach Idu (Edo) people anything about how to worship God.  They knew and heard directly from God, thousands of years before the Christian era. 

Aruosa doctrine is described as Godianism, meaning, direct one-on-one interaction with God. It requires no intermediaries, Messiahs or Redeemers.  Aruosa’s body of beliefs, teaching and practices have not changed in thousands of years.  Their preaching is pre-occupied with what they describe as the saga of creation by Osanobua.  In worship, they invoke the presence of God with songs and by cleansing and sanctifying themselves.  Ihonmwen ‘egbe n’ Osa mwen, meaning, “I purify myself for my God.”   They pray and dance to their songs, using traditional musical instruments, including drums and the ukuse, to produce their music.  They believe the sounds of drums, songs and dance help to invoke the spirit of God.  Prayers are rendered in songs and a typical one goes like this: 

“We believe in God
and we serve Him
because we abhor quarrels
bitterness, sickness,
death and poverty.”

A popular closing song goes like this: 

“God, we have made time to serve you,
Give us the time and blessing
to achieve our goals.”  

Worship is on Sundays (the African veneration day), from 10 am to 12 noon.  Aruosa is ruled by a Council of Elders under a Chairman who is the ‘Ohen Osa Nokhua,’ (Chief priest/ Pope).  The current Ohen Osa is Col. Paul Osakpamwen Ogbebor (Rt.).  The patron of the Aruosa is the Oba of Benin.  The Aruosa’s Ohen Osa led a delegation of Aruosa priests to Portugal in 1462, during the reign of Oba Ewuare.  The Aruosa priests picked up a few ideas about mode of dressing which they adapted.  They were surprised that baptism and confirmation in the Catholic Church played similar roles as the Aruosa initiation rites into the lower and upper sanctum of the Aruosa faith.  Initiation at the level of baptism in Aruosa is not with water as in the Catholic faith, but with the white chalk (orhue), which is the symbol of cleanliness, purity, joy, and success.  The equivalence to confirmation initiation rites in Aruosa, use palm fronds (igborhe), which is the symbol of renewal of life, multiplicity and endlessness.  Christians use palm fronds in their Palm Sunday rituals as a symbol of renewal of life but deride Africans they copied from, as primitive and savage for using them. 

The British, after conquering and burning Benin City, banned the worship of the Supreme God at Aruosa, describing the practice, which is not only superior to their concept and mode of worship, but older by thousands of years, and from which they took their religious bearing, as barbaric.  Oba Akenzua II, defied the British ban in 1945, by building the first Aruosa Cathedral on the ancient Aruosa site at Akpakpava Road, which the Roman Catholic Church had usurped before that time to erect their Cathedral.  Akenzua II set up 12 Aruosa schools in Benin City, Urora and other places, to spread the teaching of the faith.  Through his influence, Aruosa houses of worship were built in Onitsha, Umuahia, and Port-Harcourt, as well as in Cotonou in Benin Republic.  The Nigerian civil war truncated the gains made by Aruosa during Akenzua’s reign.  The military regime seized all mission schools, including the Aruosa’s, and ran them aground.

 

http://www.edofolks.com/html/osahon_aruosa.htm

This is a traditional church , it more or less a shrine

dondo83:
barcanista I thought you said the ooni of ife goofed going to the church for thanksgiving? These obas are not stupid, they know we have a God and some gods....

mozel247:
Don't say what u don't no. That his his spiritual church where he is the chief priest and the tradition is their Bible. Only some special Chiefs can enter that church

why is it called a church ? most of the old generation churches were fetish in times past so having some rituals is a norm to them. my point here is even obas acknowledge we have a supreme God

LorDBolton:


Oga grow up it doesn't matter where the ride was manufactured, the palace paid for it, @least it wasn't a gift from britain.

Every kingdom engages in trade so wtf r u saying?

My grouse is why such extravagance especially in this time of recession? The unique thing about our obaship is its deep connection with the people.

If he continues this way the people will become disillusioned with the obaship /palace

Who told you that our traditional rulers genuinely care about the people?

dondo83:


why is it called a church ? most of the old generation churches were fetish in times past so having some rituals is a norm to them. my point here is even obas acknowledge we have a supreme God

An oba plays different roles. He represents all and sundry, including traditionalists,the witches,the colonially indoctrinated and even the crooked politicians.

patriotic9jaboy:
If Dss and Efcc invade the Oba of Benin Palace now, people will call buhari a dictator. Where did Oba see money to buy such a luxury vehicle if not from the proceeds of corruption and our national oil wealth? I hope buhari probes this man for riding such car. The oil may be located in the Niger delta, as long as we remain one Nigeria, it belongs to all of us and no king should be allowed to live such luxury lifestyles with our collective wealth

Make Buhari try'am and see na...

plaetton:


No doubts, an Oba is entitled to whatever luxury his people can afford to offer him.

But imagine the unprintable Naira Cost of that Rolls Royce.

Now, on the hand, imagine if the Oba had ordered for a customized luxury sedan or Jeep and made these very public appearances on an Innoson vehicle .
Imagine the impact, culturally, politically and economically the body language he would have telegraphed not only to the world, but to our political elites and and his subjects.

Todays Oba's, rather being cultural icons, are too eager to be trendy and Kardashian.

True... very true

patriotic9jaboy:
If Dss and Efcc invade the Oba of Benin Palace now, people will call buhari a dictator. Where did Oba see money to buy such a luxury vehicle if not from the proceeds of corruption and our national oil wealth? I hope buhari probes this man for riding such car. The oil may be located in the Niger delta, as long as we remain one Nigeria, it belongs to all of us and no king should be allowed to live such luxury lifestyles with our collective wealth

If buhari is truly an old soldier, he should try his balls to probe the Oba of Benin. Truth is he can't even conceive it in his heart not to talk about uttering it. Has the OB eve worked for any government parastatal? Or you think he is an illiterate like most of your northern chiefs? Even sanusi of all courses in this world read islamic whatever.

You are here blabbing about Oba's car, what about sanusi a smaller chief in the north. Doesn't he have exotic cars in its numbers? Is there any oil in your north? Leaches calling others name.

Don't you know the Oba is more superior than your chiefs in th north? That is why sanusi had to present himself in person during the Oba's coronation. Watch and see if the Oba 'll ever attend any coronation ceremony in the North. He will @most only send a representative because everybody know's their place in the traditional Hierarchy.

patriotic9jaboy:
If Dss and Efcc invade the Oba of Benin Palace now, people will call buhari a dictator. Where did Oba see money to buy such a luxury vehicle if not from the proceeds of corruption and our national oil wealth? I hope buhari probes this man for riding such car. The oil may be located in the Niger delta, as long as we remain one Nigeria, it belongs to all of us and no king should be allowed to live such luxury lifestyles with our collective wealth

edo government may av bought it for him

malele:
I don't understand, u mean he stepped into a church after a cow was killed at the entrance?

its a traditional bini church...not the jesus christ type of church

seniorkachion:

But do the wretched bini man in the street care at all ! The hungry a crowd will even be bursting with pride that their king is riding such a big car. It will not occur to him that he lives off their sweat. From the time of Ovoramwen to the Erediawa when the white men appeared on the scene the oba never set up one single primary school or health facility or did anyting to advance agriculture. They just lived in luxury and maintained by the govt.

Guy, out of sheer foolishness, some people will just stumble into Nairaland and start writing jargons claiming to know....and they know nothing. Try and get ur facts right before jumping into foolish conclusion like Judas Iscariot dat later regretted his actions and omissions.

Do u know d magnitude of peace and tranquillity the Oba has brought to Benin Kingdom as a whole and even extending such peace to neighbouring states?.

Do u know how many land and community disputes d Oba settles and resolves amicably everyday at d palace that are not published on d front page of newspapers or advertised on d media (TV and Radio)...Infact, u hardly see people killing themselves over land dispute in Benin compared to what is happening in other states of the federation.

Do u know d government of Edo state can not function very well without d impact of d Oba of Benin?...Governors will come and go..but Oba remains with his traditional role as the father of all Edolites.

No wonder before any top personalities, whether president from any country of the world, politicians, pastors, Bishops, Popes or Imam enters Benin, they must first pay royal homage to d great Oba of Benin......Anything or decision taken by the Oba is final which d governor himself cannot even change. So, Oba does not make hasty or take irrational decisions.

Do u know how many less privileged families, orphans, widows and widowers the Oba of Benin is feeding everyday and even sponsoring to schools from primary to tertiary schools across d world coupled with their vocational studies?....

I was a beneficiary of the Oba of Benin scholarship from secondary level to university level as a true son of d land.....I am proud to tell people dat.

Constitutionally, d office of d palace is not allowed to build and established schools within Edo state becos, it's assumed that Oba owns all d land including the people therein. His duty is to ensure peaceful coexistence between the Binis and Non-binis that are living within his kingdom

The main and paramount duty of d Oba of Benin is to ensure adequate welfare of the people with peace and harmony.

When I read about some fallacious stories on social media....i sometimes laugh in Swahili......kiokiokiokiokio........

It's not everything u read on social media that are useful to u....most fabricated stories on social media are just for money making gimmicks. Utilize the stories that are useful to u and discard the ones that are useless to u.

We should learn to say things right irrespective of our tribes, religions and level of education to avoid misleading others with wrong notions about such entity for National peace and Political stability.....

I rest my case here with absolute Peace and Love

Oba ghato Kpere...Iseeeee!

On Akpakpava Road in the heart of Benin City, the Edo State capital, is a church founded over 500 years ago. The architectural design of the building tells its story. It does not advertise itself; yet has a large following. The Oba of Benin is its spiritual head, reports Osagie Otabor. The Holy Aruosa Cathedral is to the Bini people what the Church of England is to the English people; no wonder it is referred to as the Church of Benin. Welcome to the Holy Aruosa (the eye of God) Cathedral. Members of the Holy Arousa are different from flocks of other religious bodies: they are seldom seen sharing pamphlets to convert members or inviting people to the church. The church leaders do not hold crusades or revival services to convert ‘souls’, neither do they invite people to experience miracles. Legend has it that the church was located at the place because it was the spot the Bini had direct contact with Osanobua (God) long before the coming of the European explorers and missionaries. According to the folklore, a powerful spiritual leader known as Okhuaihe was said to have offered to personally take the peoples’ plea to God as a result of drought and pestilence that had infected the land. He gave up his life during one of the prayer sessions. He was expected to return and bring succour to the people. As the story goes, the people continued their prayers waiting for Okhuaihe’s return but rather than his return, they got a huge fireball that descended from the sky. At the point where the ball of fire dropped, a huge black stone was found and a place of worship was built there. During the British invasion of Benin Kingdom, the church was destroyed and the black stone was carted away along with other artifacts from the ancient city at about 1897. The invaders came with their own God, mode of worship and forbade the people from worshipping Osanobua at Holy Arousa. It was Oba Akenzua II (father of the present monarch) who rebuilt the current cathedral, not only in Benin City, but in Onitsha, Umuahia and other areas. The Oba of Benin is the spiritual head (general overseer) of the Church. His deputy is the Benin Crown Prince. The presiding head of the church is known as ‘Ohen Osa’ (God’s servant). A special seat is reserved for the Oba at the church. The priests dress like the Roman Catholic priests and usually wear red caps. Service at the church is conducted in Bini language. The Holy Bible is not used in the church; much of the preaching revolves around reminding the congregation that the Oba is God’s representative on earth and on the need to be good while on earth. Baptism of new converts is done with the white chalk (Orhue) in what is regarded as ‘Igborhe’. Does miracle happen in the church? Ohen Osa Harrison Okao said people received miracles and God’s blessings directly from God without any intermediary. He said: “Those who seek God come here. We don’t beg people to come. If you attend and discover that your contact with God is cordial, you will remain. If you beg God for promotion and you come here and got it, you will remain here.” Harrison said the church was founded during the reign of Oba Esigie and to worship God without praying through any intermediary. He said: “We use our local language to communicate with our God. We are aware of other diverse ways of reaching God. If you are a good Muslim, God will accept you. If you are a good Christian, God will accept you. “We don’t use the Bible here. We have our own book. We use the book of Holy Arousa according to the sayings of the ancient belief written by the wise men. The church is still in existence till today, it is an entity that will last forever. Nothing can stop it.” “A professional doctor does not need sign board. Oba is a special human being. He is God’s representative on earth. The seat that concerns Omon N’ Oba, nobody can sit on it. That seat is exclusively preserved for him.”
http://thenationonlineng.net/church-where-oba-of- benin-is-general-overseer/

mozel247:
Is a traditional church and he is the spiritual head attended by him and his Chiefs alone.. U no what that mean

I wanted to comment untill I read exactly what I had in mind here. I was really surprised that after all the rituals involved in the coronation and all the winchy winchy that follows the name of OBA OF BENIN, he still goes to church but thanks to these fellows here that have cleared the air.
BUT i think they shouldn't call it a CHURCH if oba is the head and his chiefs are the only worshippers. It should be called Gathering of the bold and strong. GBS!

I still maintain that BENIN people need deliverance.

watch and learn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0W2GCP-8Lo

op u dnt need to explain why blood is on d floor

patriotic9jaboy:
If Dss and Efcc invade the Oba of Benin Palace now, people will call buhari a dictator. Where did Oba see money to buy such a luxury vehicle if not from the proceeds of corruption and our national oil wealth? I hope buhari probes this man for riding such car. The oil may be located in the Niger delta, as long as we remain one Nigeria, it belongs to all of us and no king should be allowed to live such luxury lifestyles with our collective wealth

You think say Edo people are that poor that they can give this car to him if that is what he requested.
For ur info, you will be amazed at the number of cars and other gifts he got on his coronation. Be wise this is Naija

patriotic9jaboy:
If Dss and Efcc invade the Oba of Benin Palace now, people will call buhari a dictator. Where did Oba see money to buy such a luxury vehicle if not from the proceeds of corruption and our national oil wealth? I hope buhari probes this man for riding such car. The oil may be located in the Niger delta, as long as we remain one Nigeria, it belongs to all of us and no king should be allowed to live such luxury lifestyles with our collective wealth

What are u saying? U mean as a 6th times ambassador to different countries he can not afford to buy such a car? And do u aslo know somebody can give him as gift? Has buhari probed the emir of kano,Sanusi,the former CBN governor? Who has several of that car. Our new Oba four now deserves the best. Oba ghato kpere ise ee....

osigiepurr:



Guy, out of sheer foolishness, some people will just stumble into Nairaland and start writing jargons claiming to know....and they know nothing. Try and get ur facts right before jumping into foolish conclusion like Judas Iscariot dat later regretted his actions and omissions.

Do u know d magnitude of peace and tranquillity the Oba has brought to Benin Kingdom as a whole and even extending such peace to neighbouring states?.

Do u know how many land and community disputes d Oba settles and resolves amicably everyday at d palace that are not published on d front page of newspapers or advertised on d media (TV and Radio)...Infact, u hardly see people killing themselves over land dispute in Benin compared to what is happening in other states of the federation.

Do u know d government of Edo state can not function very well without d impact of d Oba of Benin?...Governors will come and go..but Oba remains with his traditional role as the father of all Edolites.

No wonder before any top personalities, whether president from any country of the world, politicians, pastors, Bishops, Popes or Imam enters Benin, they must first pay royal homage to d great Oba of Benin......Anything or decision taken by the Oba is final which d governor himself cannot even change. So, Oba does not make hasty or take irrational decisions.

Do u know how many less privileged families, orphans, widows and widowers the Oba of Benin is feeding everyday and even sponsoring to schools from primary to tertiary schools across d world coupled with their vocational studies?....

I was a beneficiary of the Oba of Benin scholarship from secondary level to university level as a true son of d land.....I am proud to tell people dat.

Constitutionally, d office of d palace is not allowed to build and established schools within Edo state becos, it's assumed that Oba owns all d land including the people therein. His duty is to ensure peaceful coexistence between the Binis and Non-binis that are living within his kingdom

The main and paramount duty of d Oba of Benin is to ensure adequate welfare of the people with peace and harmony.

When I read about some fallacious stories on social media....i sometimes laugh in Swahili......kiokiokiokiokio........

It's not everything u read on social media that are useful to u....most fabricated stories on social media are just for money making gimmicks. Utilize the stories that are useful to u and discard the ones that are useless to u.

We should learn to say things right irrespective of our tribes, religions and level of education to avoid misleading others with wrong notions about such entity for National peace and Political stability.....

I rest my case here with absolute Peace and Love

Oba ghato Kpere...Iseeeee!

I have heard you. I have also made my point on the things the Obas could have done to advance the progress of society and Benin in particular. There is no where oba is "constitutionally" prevented from building schools and other infrastructural works. If you mean levying taxes , he dont need to do that. He could set up a foundation or guilds. I still maintain my position that what nigerians are enlightened monarchs who will mobilize for social and economic progress of their areas.

slimfit1:


Do you know that Sanusi's old car might still buy this one. Do you know how many Emirs will be laughing at that cheap car he is riding. Let look at it generally not just one case.

What are you talking about? Sanusi was the Governor of CBN, and had access to any amount of money he wanted.

malele:
I don't understand, u mean he stepped into a church after a cow was killed at the entrance?

The Holy Aruosa is the Benin Royal church, nt a Christian Church oga

sonnie10:


What are you talking about? Sanusi was the Governor of CBN, and had access to any amount of money he wanted.

There you go i rest my case !!!!

sonnie10:


What are you talking about? Sanusi was the Governor of CBN, and had access to any amount of money he wanted.

Of I see, so because Sanusi was in charge of money, he could ve well stolen any amount that he so desired whether lawful or illegal, while the new Oba of Benin who hasn't held any notable position save ambassadorial postings should be probed, ok, I understand u......, u re simply beyond redemption with this ur stupid comparism,for ur information Mr, it's even Sanusi that deserves to be probed because he was in charge of the country's treasury at a time and he could ve helped himself to some of the till @ the time he was in charge. U need to grow up in ur reasonings.

seniorkachion:

He meant a sacrifice. The so called holy aruosa 'church' is a nothing but a shrine. That is the only "church" the oba's chief priest steps into. Young and as educated as he is ,he has quickly taken to fetish and demonic rituals. If not for the great work of the Late Rev Benson Idahosa, Benin City would have been a great citadel of the devil.

smh for these obas n emirs, they are devils in human skin. How can one choose to belong to devil all because of one yeye title, if they like let them 1 million cows the power in that shrine cant stand the power of JESUS the King of kings.

iwill4everstandwithJesus..

Watin consign monkey with raincoat?

seniorkachion:

I have heard you. I have also made my point on the things the Obas could have done to advance the progress of society and Benin in particular. There is no where oba is "constitutionally" prevented from building schools and other infrastructural works. If you mean levying taxes , he dont need to do that. He could set up a foundation or guilds. I still maintain my position that what nigerians are enlightened monarchs who will mobilize for social and economic progress of their areas.

You see, sometimes we do get things wrong, you don't expect the oba to do these things and start showing them on air. Do you know how many people have benefited from the oba of benin. The last time I checked, the Oba is said to have no constitutional powers, so when he builds a school who will employ and pay the teachers? I guess you will say it is him alsom It is not bad if you are anti-monarchy, but here in Benin, we so love the crown, it is what keeps us very united. I am an Esan and yet the Oba of Benin is my royal father. We in Edo state all hail from Benin, we will do anything to make sure our king gets the best things because his wish for us is also to get the best things in life. If today you are succesful is dere anytin u can't buy for your father. Don't just see the Oba as a king in benin, He is a father. The state govt cannot fxtn well without the Oba, you can't be any enemy of the oba and expect to thrive. Oshiomole survived because the Late Oba was like a father to him, its one reason the oba doesn't play politics, because if he chooses you, you win and if you fail you stain his image. He cannot afford to do that, he is seen as spotless, wise, his judgement is taken as final, there are cases that courts can't settle, because no body respects the court, but take it to the palace and let the oba pronounce it, it holds. Its now things are even changing....you can't remove him from his seat, the worse you can do as a governor is stop giving him what is due to him, and I bet you won't last either as governor on as a human being on this earth. The Oba of Benin is totally different from all other kings in Nigeria, I stand on that, totally different.

patriotic9jaboy:
If Dss and Efcc invade the Oba of Benin Palace now, people will call buhari a dictator. Where did Oba see money to buy such a luxury vehicle if not from the proceeds of corruption and our national oil wealth? I hope buhari probes this man for riding such car. The oil may be located in the Niger delta, as long as we remain one Nigeria, it belongs to all of us and no king should be allowed to live such luxury lifestyles with our collective wealth

Stop being naive....

[quote author=comrChris post=50473048]smh for these obas n emirs, they are devils in human skin. How can one choose to belong to devil all because of one yeye title, if they like let them 1 million cows the power in that shrine cant stand the power of JESUS the King of kings.

iwill4everstandwithJesus..[

/quote]

Jesus is the creation of the Roman. A political agenda used to permanently,sheepishly and mentality ingrained their ways on the conquered natives without too much violent fuss.

The most devastating poverty is a mental one,it leaves the victim with no chance for recovery.

mickeyenglish:
Post No Bill..

abeg my people why will they kill a cow. are they there for ritual or thanksgiving.

op, I think there's a mix-up, did you say a cow was killed? at the entrance of a shrine or a church? please correct and repost