The Independence of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church: A Historical Journey
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, was for centuries under the ecclesiastical authority of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. While the relationship symbolized religious unity across Africa, it also presented administrative and cultural challenges that eventually led to Ethiopia seeking full church independence. The process unfolded gradually over centuries, reaching its completion in 1959.
Early Christian Roots and Coptic Supervision
Christianity was introduced to Ethiopia in the 4th century during the reign of King Ezana of Aksum. The key figure in this development was St. Frumentius, a Syrian missionary who was consecrated as bishop by St. Athanasius, the Patriarch of Alexandria. He became known in Ethiopia as Abba Selama, the “Father of Peace.”
From that time forward, the head of the Ethiopian Church, known as the Abuna, was always an Egyptian monk, appointed by the Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria. This tradition continued for about 1,600 years.
While this ecclesiastical structure maintained doctrinal unity between the Ethiopian and Coptic Churches, it became a growing point of contention over time. The Egyptian-appointed Abunas often did not speak Ge’ez (the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Church) or Amharic, and their unfamiliarity with Ethiopian culture and politics limited their effectiveness.
Push for Ecclesiastical Autonomy
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Ethiopia’s growing sense of national identity and sovereignty led to increasing calls for an independent church hierarchy. This momentum intensified after Emperor Menelik II’s victory at the Battle of Adwa (1896), which preserved Ethiopia’s independence from Italian colonization. Ethiopians began to question why their church remained under foreign (Egyptian) religious leadership.
A major turning point came in 1929, when the Coptic Church allowed the ordination of five Ethiopian bishops, in addition to the Egyptian Abuna. This move gave the Ethiopian Church more internal leadership and was a significant step toward autonomy—but it was still not full independence.
The Role of Abune Basilios
The next milestone came in 1948, when Abune Basilios, an Ethiopian monk, was appointed Archbishop of Ethiopia with the approval of the Coptic Church and the Ethiopian government. He became the first Ethiopian to hold such a high position in the Church in centuries. His leadership symbolized the church’s growing maturity and readiness for self-governance.
Full Autocephaly in 1959
The final step in the Ethiopian Church's journey to independence came in 1959, when Pope Cyril VI, the Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria, granted full autocephaly to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. This meant the Ethiopian Church was now fully independent and could elect its own patriarch without needing approval from the Coptic Church.
That same year, Abuna Basilios was enthroned as the first Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. His enthronement marked the complete ecclesiastical independence of the Ethiopian Church.
Continued Communion and Legacy
Despite its independence, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church remains in full communion with the Coptic Orthodox Church and other Oriental Orthodox Churches, including the Indian, Armenian, Syrian, and Eritrean Churches.
In 1993, after Eritrea became an independent nation, the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church also gained autocephaly, with support from the Ethiopian Church and the Coptic Patriarch.
Conclusion
The independence of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church was a monumental event in the history of global Christianity and African religious identity. It reflected Ethiopia’s determination to control its own spiritual destiny while remaining rooted in its ancient Christian tradition. Today, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church continues to play a vital role in Ethiopian society and maintains strong ties with its Oriental Orthodox sister churches.