Rooted in the Apostolic Faith — The Beliefs, Worship and Spiritual Life of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. Rooted in the Apostolic Faith: The Beliefs, Worship, and Spiritual Life of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, by Habteselassie Tesfaye, explains in an orderly and clear way what this Church believes, how it prays and how it lives.

The foundations of the Ethiopian faith

Drawing on Holy Scripture, the teaching of the Fathers, the councils received by the Church and the liturgical tradition, the author presents the Church's doctrine, the Holy Mysteries (the sacraments), the veneration of the Virgin Mary and the saints, the order of the Divine Liturgy (in Ge'ez ቅዳሴ, Qəddase), the rhythm of fasting and prayer, and the path of salvation.

What makes Ethiopia unique

The book gives special attention to the traditions proper to Ethiopia: the wider biblical canon, the role of Holy Tradition and faithfulness to the faith of the Apostles. The word Tewahedo (in Ge'ez ተዋሕዶ) means "made one" and expresses faith in the unity of Christ, true God and true man.

Written first for the young people of the Ethiopian Church, the book also serves as a catechetical guide for everyone who wants to move from a faith received by habit to a faith that is understood.