ENTHRONEMENT AS EMPEROR
25TH MÄGABIT 1922 – 3RD APRIL 1930
Contents
I. II. III. IV. V. VI.
Introduction Words of God – Part I: Autobiography Statement of the Imperial Government Imperial Stamps Words of God – Part II: Official Proclamation Epilogue
Introduction On the occasion of the 83th anniversary of the enthronement as Emperor of Ethiopia I want to give some testimonials which clarify for us that Christ’s sole reign on earth began already on 25th Mägabit 1922 (= 3rd April 1930).
Words of God - Part I: Autobiography "[...] Queen Zawditu died on 24th Mägabit 1922 (= 2nd April 1930) and, consequently, on the morrow I was proclaimed Emperor and assumed the throne." Source: My Life and Ethiopia's Progress, Volume One: 1892-1937, p. 172
Statement of the Imperial Government
Source: 23rd July 1945 - Presented By The Ethiopian Press and Information Office on The Occasion Of The 53rd Anniversary Of The Birth Of His Imperial Majesty The Emperor
Imperial Stamps
Series of Postage Stamps Source: Imperial Ethiopian Government Ministry of P.T.&T., Ethiopian Stamp Catalogue
Contratst-enhanced Enlarged Stamp
Words of God – Part II: Official Proclamation "Proclamation in the name of the Heir Prince and Regent Plenipotentiary of the Ethiopian Kingdom, His Majesty King Tafari Makonnen in occasion of His ascending the Imperial Throne with the name of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie 1st, King of Kings (Negus Negast) of Ethiopia. In accordance with the Proclamation which our Creator abiding in His people, and electing us, did cause to be made, we have lived without breach of our Covenant as mother and son. Now, in that by the law and commandment of God, none that is human may avoid return to earth, Her Majesty the Empress, after a few days of sickness, has departed this life. The passing of Her Majesty the Empress is grievous for myself and for the whole of the empire. Since it is the long-standing custom that when a King, the Shepherd of his people, shall die, a King replaces him, I being upon the seat of David to which I was betrothed, will, by God's charity, watch over you. Trader, trade! Farmer, plough! I shall govern you by the law and ordinance that has come, handed down from my fathers." 3rd April 1930, Qädamawi Haile Selassie Sources: Leonard Mosley, Haile Selassie: The Conquering Lion, 1964, p. 214; Christine Sandford, The Lion of Judah hath Prevailed, p. 55
Epilogue Impressive is also the humility He showed when He postponed the marvellous event of the coronation for 7 months, waiting patiently, so that the nations could participate in His joy. The 40-day period of mourning after the death of Empress Zawditu and the following rainy season are also reasons for the postponement of the coronation ceremony. The consideration of these two factors gives evidence of His respect and thoughtfulness. Sandford writes: "His accession as King of Kings was proclaimed and took place smoothly and quietly. The goal has been reached." That He ruled the country in a sole reign since the 3rd April is confirmed by the fact that the official governmental works began long before the coronation. He was not idle in His divine patience, but rather made the general known preparations for the coronation, as He invited, as Emperor, the heads of state, national princes, nobles, headmen, priors of monasteries and deans of cathedrals, let repair the principal streets and their houses, installed electric light along them and ordered the holy, symbolic and “crowning” objects to be made of gold and diamonds. How would all of these preparations for the glorious world event have been accomplished without the enthronement as Emperor on the 3rd April? Under what name or government would they had been taken place if not under the Imperial Government of Qädamawi Haile Selassie? With certainty it is now correct to say: “became Emperor on 3rd April” and “crowned as Emperor on 2nd November”. With this knowledge let us commemorate and celebrate this
holiday on which our ruler became Emperor of Ethiopia and concurrently received the biblical messianic titles (Rev 5:5; Rev 19:16), an honour whom is due to H.I.M. and to H.I.M. only. A glorious holiday for you all! Long live Emperor Q채damawi Haile Selassie!
Servant Leonard in cooperation with