Tewahedo

Tewahedo is a term referring to the Oriental Orthodox Christian traditions of Ethiopia and Eritrea. The name itself, Tewahedo, translates to "unity" in the Ge'ez language, signifying the belief in the single, unified nature of Christ, as opposed to the dual nature of Christ espoused by Chalcedonian Christianity. This theological position, known as Miaphysitism, is a core tenet of Tewahedo churches.

The Tewahedo Church is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, with a history stretching back to the introduction of Christianity to the Kingdom of Aksum in the 4th century AD. It is believed that the Queen of Sheba's son, Menelik I, brought Christianity from Jerusalem to Ethiopia, establishing a lineage that continues to hold symbolic importance. The Church has its own distinct liturgical language, Ge'ez, which is used in services and scriptures.

Key characteristics of Tewahedo practice include a rich tradition of iconography, elaborate fasting periods, and the observance of a unique calendar. The Ark of the Covenant is believed to be housed in the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum, Ethiopia, a sacred relic central to the Church's faith. The Tewahedo Church is governed by its own patriarchs and has a hierarchical structure. Both the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church share this common heritage, though they are now distinct entities.