Number DOI: http://doi.org/10.33209/2519-4348-2707-9627-2024-12-155

VB. – № 12, 2024. – P. 85-103

Summary

The article analyzes the dogmatic and liturgical features of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC), which constitute its unique theological identity. The author examines the historical origins of the EOTC, tracing its roots back to the pre-Christian era when Ethiopian religious culture integrated pagan practices with Jewish beliefs. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of Judaism in shaping a distinctive religious identity that later facilitated the acceptance of Christianity. Attention is given to the legendary accounts of the Queen of Sheba and her son Menelik, which formed the foundation of the Ethiopian royal ideology associating the nation with «True Israel». During the early Christian period, the EOTC embraced Christianity through the preaching of the Apostle Philip and the missionary work of the brothers Frumentius and Aedesius, who facilitated the establishment of Christianity as the state religion in the 4th century. The Church’s subsequent development is linked to the activities of the «Nine Saints», who introduced the anti-Chalcedonian Miaphysite tradition. The process of strengthening Miaphysite identity through the translation of liturgical and theological texts is described. The article briefly highlights the historical challenges faced by the EOTC, including its isolation from the broader Christian world following the decline of the Kingdom of Axum, resistance to Muslim conquests in the 16th century, and opposition to Catholic missionary influence. Particular attention is paid to the period of gaining autocephaly in the 20th century, during which the EOTC fully separated from the Coptic Church and achieved patriarchal status. The modern period is also discussed, marked by new challenges such as internal conflicts and external interference. The article notes that the dogmatic teachings of the EOTC are distinguished by a synthesis of Alexandrian theological traditions, Syrian influences, and local cultural-religious elements. Regarding the Christological doctrine of the EOTC, the author explains that it is based on the concept of the unity of Christ’s divine and human natures, expressed through the terms «akal» (hypostasis) and «baharēy» (nature). These terms, borrowed from the Alexandrian theological tradition, clarify the unity of Christ’s two natures while maintaining theological precision. The doctrine of deification (theosis) is also explored, presented as the ultimate goal of human existence and the path to restoring harmony with God. This teaching is closely tied to the Church’s liturgical practices, particularly the Eucharist, which serves as a means of spiritual transformation for the faithful. Special emphasis is placed on the veneration of the Virgin Mary, who holds a central role in the spiritual life of the EOTC. Her exaltation is reflected in the richness of hymnography, Old Testament symbolism, and numerous feasts. The uniqueness of iconography, developed during the reign of Emperor Zara Yaqob, is also highlighted as a significant factor in strengthening Marian devotion. The author outlines the significance of the EOTC in the context of theological scholarship, emphasizing its ability to integrate Christian ideas with local culture. The importance of further research into the Church’s liturgical texts, Christological terminology, and theological tradition, which reflect the centuries-old history of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, is underscored.

Key words: Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Christology, Miaphysitism, Tewahedo, deification, Virgin Mary, akal, baharēy, dogmatics, tradition.

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