The bonding river

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From the beginning of creation the people of Ethiopia and Egypt have lived commonly using Abay the River /Nile/ one of whose sources is found in Ethiopia. This social integration they possessed by nature will continue without interruption.

The historic ties between Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church and Coptic Church is traceable to the Pre-Christian Era manifested in different ways. Ethiopia and Egypt have been frequently referred to in the Holy Bible affirming both countries are linked to each other by Abay River. Much as Egypt is called the gift of the Nile (Abay River), it may also be said that it is the gift of Ethiopia. 86% of the Nile water originates in Ethiopia with the reminder emanating from other countries in the Nile Basin. After watering Egypt downstream, it joins the Mediterranean Sea linking Ethiopia and Egypt for eternity. Thus Abay River is truly the foundation for the relations between Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church and the Coptic Church.

It is known that the civilization of both countries started along Abay River. Both countries share similar beliefs, culture, and government system. The peoples and governments of the two countries as well as Fathers of both churches very well realize that River Nile links Egypt with Ethiopia and the Coptic Church is linked to Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church. The teaching of church scholars has created among Ethiopians the sense of ownership of Abay as the gift of God. It is on account of this that Abay is the focus of our culture, sayings, political concern, and the religious teachings.

Even though the Ethiopian Eunuch had introduced Christianity to Ethiopia in 34 A.D., the administration of Christian ritual was introduced in the fourth century.

The foundation of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church was laid by Frumentius whom the 20th Alexandrian patriarch St. Athanasius had consecrated as bishop and sent to Ethiopia. This is a significant contribution the Coptic Church had made to the establishment of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

Consequently, Ethiopian Orthodox

clergy and laity have high regard for and special spiritual attachment to the Coptic Church.

Athanasius’ consecration of Frumentius as a Bishop for Ethiopia has been a strong base for the 1600 years close religious and administrative relations the two churches had enjoyed. It is true both churches had the same patriarchs and Holy Synods for the majority of this time. This is the true manifestation of the unity and cooperation that has existed between the two sisterly churches in history. 110 Egyptian Bishops have served in Ethiopia since the first bishop Frumentius until the time of 5th Qerlos, the last Egyptian Bishop to Ethiopia. It may also be noted that in history events which had taken place in Egypt had affected relation and cooperation between the two churches because of the character of bishops sent. The effort to raise Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church to the patriarchate level was fulfilled on Sene 21, 1951 E.C when His Holiness Abuna Basilius became the 1st Ethiopian orthodox Tewahido Church patriarch thus attaining the autocephaly for this Church.

ABYSSINIA BUSINESS NETWORK ABN IT'S OUR DAM Tibebu Belete / Journalist / Author and General Manager of Ahadu Radio & Television

Ethiopia and Egypt have been frequently referred to in the Holy Bible affirming both Countries are linked to each other by Abay River.