IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE
SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ONE GOD AMEN!
Ethiopia
is one of the oldest countries in the world to have survived as a sovereign
state for thousand years. It is clearly written in the Holy Bible and world literatures.
Among
the Black Nation history, Ethiopians were the only people to have never succumbed
to slavery or colonial rule. Several colonial powers tried it 27 times to
conquer, but failed each time.
The question is what makes Ethiopia to be
special among other African countries? It is said in Holy Scripture that: - ‘’A
nation tall and smooth-skinned a people feared and far, a nation mighty and
conquering’’ /Isa.18:2/. Ethiopia is one
of the first countries to accept Christ and Christianity, as St. John
Chrysostom has explained it in his Homily on the Acts of the Apostles. According to history of Christianity, the
only person who asked, ‘’ what is to prevent me from being baptized?’’ is an
Ethiopian. The Apostle Philip said, ‘’If
you heartily believe it is permitted.’’ The Ethiopian replied ‘’I believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God’’/Act.8:37-38/.
So
Christianity was introduced to Ethiopia in 34 AD; which means 9 months after
the Ascension of our Lord, Jesus Christ, by the Ethiopian Eunuch. By this time
St. Peter and St. Mark had not yet made their Apostolic Journeys to Rome and
Alexandria.
Above all, Ethiopia is best known for being a country
that worships the True God for thousand years. The word of God has affirmed
this saying ‘’Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hands to God’’ /Ps.68:31/. Again
‘’Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots?’’ /Jer.13:23/.
Before the year of 750 B.C it was said ‘’Are you not as children of Ethiopian
unto me, O children of Israel?’’ /Amos.9:7/.
There for it was not only because of her
natural heritages but also because of her spiritual heritages that the foreign
powers were jealous of Ethiopia. They
tried to challenge her freedom, her Orthodox Tewahdo religion, and her national
unity. But as Ethiopia is devoted to God, and that God Loves Ethiopia, it
remained a revered and respected country.
Emperor Haile Selassie I said ‘’Ethiopia is a
mystery in the hands of God.’’ That is why Ethiopia is termed as ‘’The Land of
God’’ and the Ethiopians ‘’The People of God.’’
(To be continued on other
Ethiopic Articles)!
Glory be to God Amen.
