Aksum Zion Church

It's fully known as "The Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion" and is the most important church in Ethiopia, and claims to contain the Ark of the Covenant. It's located in the town of Aksum in the Tigray Region. The original church is believed to have been built during the reign of Ezana, the first Christian ruler of the Kingdom of Aksumite (Present day Eritrea and Ethiopia), during the 4th century AD, and has been rebuilt several times since then.

Since its founding during the episcopacy of Frumentius (known in Ethiopia as Abune Selama Kesatay Birhan or "Our Father of Peace the Revealer of Light) the Church of Mary of Zion has been destroyed and rebuilt at least twice. It's first putative destruction occurred at the hands of Queen Gudit during the 10th century AD. It's second, confirmed, destruction occurred in the 16th century AD at the hands of Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi (Ahmed Gragn), after which it was rebuilt by the Emperor Gelawdewos, then further rebuilt and enlarged by Emperor Fasilides during the 17th century. St. Mary of Zion was the traditional place where Ethiopian Emperors came to be crowned. And indeed, if an Emperor was not crowned at Aksum, or did not at least have his coronation ratified by a special service at St. Mary of Zion, he could not be referred to by the title of "Atse".

In the 1950s AD the Emperor Haile Selassie built a new modern Cathedral that was open to both men and women next to the old Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion. The old church remains accessible only to men, as Mary, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant allegedly resting in its chapel, is the only woman allowed within its compound.

The church is a significant center of pilgrimage for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, especially during the main Festival of Zion Maryam on 30 November (21 Hidar on the Ethiopian calendar).

The Ark of the Covenant

St. Mary of Zion claims to contain the original Ark of the Covenant. Reportedly, the Ark was moved to the Chapel of the Tablet adjacent to the old church because a divine 'heat' from the Tablets had cracked the stones of it's previous sanctum. Emperor Haile Selassie's wife, Empress Menen, paid for the construction of the new chapel.

According to tradition, the Ark came to Ethiopia with Menelik I after he visited his father King Solomon. Only the guardian monk may view the Ark, in accordance with the Biblical accounts of the dangers of doing so for non-Kohanim. This lack of accessibility, and questions about the account as a whole, has led foreign scholars to express doubt about the veracity of the claim. The guardian monk is appointed for life by his predecessor before the predecessor dies. If the incumbent guardian dies without naming a successor, then the monks of the monastery hold an election to select the new guardian. The guardian then is confined to the chapel of the Ark of the Covenant for the rest of his life, praying before it and offering incense.

Here is some pics
1. Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion, rebuilt during the reign of Emperor Fasilides in 17th century AD
2. The Chapel of the Tablet
3. Painting of the nine saints (not all in photo) of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, as depicted on the mural in the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion
4. The dome and bell tower of the new Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion, built by Emperor Haile Selassie in the 1950s AD

Hati13
I've heard of the story. Is viewing allowed? Please visit and confirm for us what it looks like

Muafrika2:
Hati13
I've heard of the story. Is viewing allowed? Please visit and confirm for us what it looks like

• The old Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion - can only be viewed by male
• The Chapel of the Tablet - no one can enter, other than the guardian Monk
• The new Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion - can be viewed both by male and female

So, since you are a woman you can't visit the old Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion. But you can visit the new one.

I'm hoping to visit it on "Zion Maryam" festival on November 30 of this year. If I do, I will tell you about it's inner appearance.

More pics

1. The old Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion
2. The new Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion
3. The new Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion
4. The Chapel of the Tablet

More pics

1. The Chapel of the Tablet
2. The old Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion
3. The new Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion
4. The new Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion

Hati13:
More pics

1. The old Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion
2. The new Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion
3. The new Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion
4. The Chapel of the Tablet

was the queen of sheba also the queen of Ethopia?

GrandFinale2017:
was the queen of sheba also the queen of Ethopia?

No, she isn't. Her story is a myth and there is no physical evidence/s connecting her with present day Ethiopia. Even if she existed back then, she probably was the ruler of Sheba Kingdom in Yemen or proper Ethiopia or both.

By the way, the Ethiopians of the Bible and other pre-4th century AD texts ain't the present day Ethiopians. The proper Ethiopians were and still are the northern Sudanese. Some of the present day Horn of Africans like some of the Cushite ppl can also be classify as "proper Ethiopians".

Ethiopia is a Greek word which means "burnt face or black". This term was used by Ancient Greeks to refer the inhabitants around south of Egypt.

After King Ezana of Axumite destroyed the Kush civilization of Sudan in the mid 4th century AD, he adopted the name "Ethiopia" for his Empire. Through time, the present day Ethiopia started to be interchangeably identified as:-
- Ethiopia from mid 4th century AD onwards
- Habesha/Abesha from 7th century AD onwards
- Kingdom of Preston John from 12th century AD onwards
- Abysinnia (Latinized forms of Abesha) from 16th century AD onwards

Hati13:

No, she isn't. Her story is a myth and there is no physical evidence/s connecting her with present day Ethiopia. Even if she existed back then, she probably was the ruler of Sheba Kingdom in Yemen or proper Ethiopia or both.

By the way, the Ethiopians of the Bible and other pre-4th century AD texts ain't the present day Ethiopians. The proper Ethiopians were and still are the northern Sudanese. Some of the present day Horn of Africans like some of the Cushite ppl can also be classify as "proper Ethiopians".

Ethiopia is a Greek word which means "burnt face or black". This term was used by Ancient Greeks to refer the inhabitants around south of Egypt.

After King Ezana of Axumite destroyed the Kush civilization of Sudan in the mid 4th century AD, he adopted the name "Ethiopia" for his Empire. Through time, the present day Ethiopia started to be interchangeably identified as:-
- Ethiopia from mid 4th century AD onwards
- Habesha/Abesha from 7th century AD onwards
- Kingdom of Preston John from 12th century AD onwards
- Abysinnia (Latinized forms of Abesha) from 16th century AD onwards

okay have u heard of the eunuch that was in charge of the gold and riches of the queen of ethopia that was being preached to by Apostle Philip? Or was it also a myth?

GrandFinale2017:
okay have u heard of the eunuch that was in charge of the gold and riches of the queen of ethopia that was being preached to by Apostle Philip? Or was it also a myth?

I didn't heard about it. If the story is in the Bible, then she might be the Queen of the Ancient Ethiopia (Nubia Sudan).

Is the story based before 10th century AD? If it's, then there wasn't a female ruler as far as I know. But there was a Jewish or Pagan Queen in the 10th century AD which lead waste to the Axumite Empire of Ethiopia/Eritrea (among the 4th strongest states in the world at it's peak).

I know that Apostle Matthew was the one who brought Christianity to Ethiopia in the 1st century AD.

Hati13:

I didn't heard about it. If the story is in the Bible, then she might be the Queen of the Ancient Ethiopia (Nubia Sudan).

Is the story based before 10th century AD? If it's, then there wasn't a female ruler as far as I know. But there was a Jewish or Pagan Queen in the 10th century AD which lead waste to the Axumite Empire of Ethiopia/Eritrea (among the 4th strongest states in the world at it's peak).

I know that Apostle Matthew was the one who brought Christianity to Ethiopia in the 1st century AD.

ok lastly, which geographical region is Ethopia placed in? N/AFRICA, EAST, CENTRAL, SOUTH OR WEST

GrandFinale2017:
ok lastly, which geographical region is Ethopia placed in? N/AFRICA, EAST, CENTRAL, SOUTH OR WEST

East Africa

Hati13:
East Africa

okay link me up with an Ethopian Lady please

GrandFinale2017:
okay link me up with an Ethopian Lady please

You mean there number something?
I don't know men. Just try to contact them on social medias.

Hati13:

I didn't heard about it. If the story is in the Bible, then she might be the Queen of the Ancient Ethiopia (Nubia Sudan).

Is the story based before 10th century AD? If it's, then there wasn't a female ruler as far as I know. But there was a Jewish or Pagan Queen in the 10th century AD which lead waste to the Axumite Empire of Ethiopia/Eritrea (among the 4th strongest states in the world at it's peak).

I know that Apostle Matthew was the one who brought Christianity to Ethiopia in the 1st century AD.

Even Haile Selassie I mentioned this and it can be found in the Book of Acts of the Apostles 8:26-40

Acts 8:26-40 King James Version (KJV)

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Tampinu:


Even Haile Selassie I mentioned this and it can be found in the Book of Acts of the Apostles 8:26-40

Acts 8:26-40 King James Version (KJV)

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

But the Ethiopia of the Bible isn't the present day Ethiopia. The proper Ethiopians were and still are the Nubian Sudanese.

Hati13:

But the Ethiopia of the Bible isn't the present day Ethiopia. The proper Ethiopians were and still are the Nubian Sudanese.

This is news to me, but as I was brought up to always fear and respect the King, I confirm that since I never heard the King mention it, I do not wish to repeat what my King never said.

Peace

Tampinu:


This is news to me, but as I was brought up to always fear and respect the King, I confirm that since I never heard the King mention it, I do not wish to repeat what my King never said.

Peace

Atse Haile Selassie also knew it. But we broadly called ourselves "Ethiopians" for the last 1400 years, but most foreigners most didn't.

I know that HS was advised by France and Britain to officially call ourselves as Ethiopians in our 1st modern constitution (we had Medieval religious constitution), before the Sudanese (the true Ethiopians) officially adopted it.

Hati13:

Atse Haile Selassie also knew it. But we broadly called ourselves "Ethiopians" for the last 1400 years, but most foreigners most didn't.

I know that HS was advised by France and Britain to officially call ourselves as Ethiopians in our 1st modern constitution (we had Medieval religious constitution), before the Sudanese (the true Ethiopians) officially adopted it.

I hear what you are saying, as soon as I read a book where the King stated what you mentioned above, I will start to repeat it.

Until then, I will only repeat what I know the KING has said and done.

Peace