Ethiopian Orthodox Tehadeso Church
Encyclopedia
According to its followers, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tehadeso Church (Amharic የኢትዮጵያ ኦርቶዶክስ ተሃድሶ ቤተክርስትያን) (distinct from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
) stands to preserve the country's orthodox traditions while believing in the full Gospel of the scripture. Most of its members reside in Oromia Region
of Ethiopia
, however it has several members (migrants) globally. Since most of its members were former traditional Orthodox
, some believe this reformed form of Orthodox will mend relationships between Orthodox Christians and P'ent'ay
Christians in Ethiopia.
as Lord and Saviour for the forgiveness of sins. They believe in God
(Egziabhér) the Father, Almighty and eternal, Creator of all things. They believe in Jesus Christ (Eyesus), Son of God, that he was born of the Virgin Mary (Mariam), that he died for the sins of humans and rose from the dead, ascended to heaven to the right hand of the Father interceding for all human beings with the promise of coming back again in his mighty and glory. They believe in the Holy Spirit
(Menfes Qeddus) who indwells and strengthens the followers and gives spiritual gifts as well as comforts.
They resemble the Mekane Yesus Church in their strict teachings, but they are mostly Charismatic
in their worship. In this regard, they have the most similarity to the Mulu Wongel Church of Ethiopia.
churches due to their origin. They believe they are like the original, ancient Orthodox worshipers. However they emphasise the message of the Gospel instead of the ritual-based worship and faith which they believe the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church practices. In fact, Orthodox Tehadeso members believe their form of Orthodoxy is the "real Orthodoxy." They don't provide evidence to their claim; however, they explain the relationship between tradition and faith. They suggest their faith is complemented by the Orthodox tradition, but in contrast to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, tradition does not dictate their faith. Accordingly, they are very strict in their lifestyle shown by their precise obedience to the rules in the Old
and New Testament
s.
With their members consisting of former traditional Ethiopian Orthodox adherents including orthodox Menokosat and Kasoch (monks and priests), they worship in Orthodox-like buildings and use similar musical instruments. Yet their beliefs resemble that of the different Ethiopian P'ent'ay churches, the Pentecostal and evangelical
churches found in the country.
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the predominant Oriental Orthodox Christian church in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Church was administratively part of the Coptic Orthodox Church until 1959, when it was granted its own Patriarch by Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All...
) stands to preserve the country's orthodox traditions while believing in the full Gospel of the scripture. Most of its members reside in Oromia Region
Oromia Region
Oromia is one of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia...
of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, however it has several members (migrants) globally. Since most of its members were former traditional Orthodox
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the predominant Oriental Orthodox Christian church in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Church was administratively part of the Coptic Orthodox Church until 1959, when it was granted its own Patriarch by Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All...
, some believe this reformed form of Orthodox will mend relationships between Orthodox Christians and P'ent'ay
P'ent'ay
P'ent'ay or Pentay is a slang term widely used in modern Ethiopia, and among Ethiopians living abroad, to describe Ethiopian Christians who are not members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo, Ethiopian Orthodox Tehadeso, Roman Catholic or Ethiopian Catholic churches...
Christians in Ethiopia.
Beliefs
Orthodox Tehadeso members believe one must be saved by believing in JesusJesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
as Lord and Saviour for the forgiveness of sins. They believe in God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
(Egziabhér) the Father, Almighty and eternal, Creator of all things. They believe in Jesus Christ (Eyesus), Son of God, that he was born of the Virgin Mary (Mariam), that he died for the sins of humans and rose from the dead, ascended to heaven to the right hand of the Father interceding for all human beings with the promise of coming back again in his mighty and glory. They believe in the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
(Menfes Qeddus) who indwells and strengthens the followers and gives spiritual gifts as well as comforts.
They resemble the Mekane Yesus Church in their strict teachings, but they are mostly Charismatic
Charismatic movement
The term charismatic movement is used in varying senses to describe 20th century developments in various Christian denominations. It describes an ongoing international, cross-denominational/non-denominational Christian movement in which individual, historically mainstream congregations adopt...
in their worship. In this regard, they have the most similarity to the Mulu Wongel Church of Ethiopia.
Origins
Ethiopian Orthodox Tehadeso churches differentiate themselves from the rest of ProtestantProtestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
churches due to their origin. They believe they are like the original, ancient Orthodox worshipers. However they emphasise the message of the Gospel instead of the ritual-based worship and faith which they believe the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church practices. In fact, Orthodox Tehadeso members believe their form of Orthodoxy is the "real Orthodoxy." They don't provide evidence to their claim; however, they explain the relationship between tradition and faith. They suggest their faith is complemented by the Orthodox tradition, but in contrast to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, tradition does not dictate their faith. Accordingly, they are very strict in their lifestyle shown by their precise obedience to the rules in the Old
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
and New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
s.
With their members consisting of former traditional Ethiopian Orthodox adherents including orthodox Menokosat and Kasoch (monks and priests), they worship in Orthodox-like buildings and use similar musical instruments. Yet their beliefs resemble that of the different Ethiopian P'ent'ay churches, the Pentecostal and evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
churches found in the country.