Recent history Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

engraving of abuna salama iii, head of ethiopian orthodox tewahedo church (1841-1867)

in more modern times, ethiopian church experienced series of developments. earliest in 19th century publication of amharic translation of bible. largely work of abu rumi on ten years in cairo, version, changes, held sway until emperor haile selassie ordered new translation appeared in 1960/1. haile selassie played prominent role in further reforms of church, included encouraging distribution of abu rumi s translation throughout ethiopia, promotion of improved education of clergy, significant step in emperor s effort being founding of theological college of holy trinity church in december 1944. third development came after haile selassie s restoration ethiopia, when issued, on 30 november, decree number 2 of 1942, new law reforming church. primary objectives of decree put finances of church in order, create central fund activities, , set forth requirements appointment of clergy—which had been lax until then.

the coptic , ethiopian churches reached agreement on 13 july 1948, led autocephaly ethiopian church. 5 bishops consecrated coptic pope of alexandria , patriarch of africa, empowered elect new patriarch church, , successor abuna qerellos iv have power consecrate new bishops. promotion completed when coptic orthodox pope joseph ii consecrated ethiopian-born archbishop, abuna basilios, 14 january 1951. in 1959, pope cyril vi of alexandria crowned abuna basilios first patriarch of ethiopia.

an ethiopian orthodox priest displays processional crosses.

patriarch abune basilios died in 1971, , succeeded year patriarch abune tewophilos. fall of emperor haile selassie in 1974, ethiopian orthodox tewahedo church disestablished state church. new marxist government began nationalising property (including land) owned church. patriarch abune tewophilos arrested in 1976 marxist derg military junta, , secretly executed in 1979. government ordered church elect new patriarch, , abune takla haymanot enthroned. coptic orthodox church refused recognize election , enthronement of abune tekle haymanot on grounds synod of ethiopian church had not removed abune tewophilos , government had not publicly acknowledged death, , still legitimate patriarch of ethiopia. formal relations between 2 churches halted, although remained in communion each other. formal relations between 2 churches resumed on july 13, 2007.

abuna paulos, late patriarch of ethiopian orthodox tewahedo church.

patriarch abune tekle haymanot proved less accommodating derg regime had expected, , when patriarch died in 1988, new patriarch closer ties regime sought. archbishop of gondar, member of derg-era ethiopian parliament, elected , enthroned patriarch abuna merkorios. following fall of derg regime in 1991, , coming power of eprdf government, patriarch abune merkorios abdicated under public , governmental pressure. church elected new patriarch, abune paulos, recognized coptic orthodox pope of alexandria. former patriarch abune merkorios fled abroad, , announced exile abdication had been made under duress , still legitimate patriarch of ethiopia. several bishops went exile , formed break-away alternate synod. exiled synod recognized ethiopian churches in north america , europe recognize patriarch abune merkorios, while synod inside ethiopia continued uphold legitimacy of patriarch abune paulos.

following independence of eritrea nation in 1993, coptic orthodox church in 1994 appointed archbishop eritrean orthodox tewahedo church, in turn obtained autocephaly in 1998 reluctant approval of mother synod. same year first eritrean patriarch consecrated.

as of 2005, there many ethiopian orthodox churches located throughout united states , other countries ethiopians have migrated (archbishop yesehaq 1997). church claims more 38 million members in ethiopia, forming half country s population.

patriarch abune paulos died on august 16, 2012, followed 4 days later prime minister meles zenawi. on february 28, 2013, college of electors assembled in addis ababa , elected abune mathias 6th patriarch of ethiopian orthodox church.