Marian devotion
The churches of Entoto and Marian devotion in the highlands of Ethiopia
Mount Entoto · Addis Ababa · Ethiopia · Church of Entoto Raguel
Mount Entoto, which dominates Addis Ababa at 3,000 metres of altitude, houses several historical churches of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, including the church of Entoto Raguel. This place has a profound significance in the history of Ethiopia: Emperor Menelik II built his capital here before moving it to the valley where Addis Ababa sits. The churches of Entoto are centers of Marian devotion where the faithful come to pray, especially during the great feasts of the Ethiopian liturgical year.
Mount Entoto in Ethiopian history
Mount Entoto, with its 3,000 metres of altitude, dominates the city of Addis Ababa from the north. Before the foundation of Addis Ababa in 1886, Emperor Menelik II had his capital in Entoto, where he built churches and palaces. Empress Taytu Betul, wife of Menelik II, chose the valley below to find the new capital, which was named Addis Ababa ("New Flower" in Amaric), for the springs of thermal waters that sprout there.
The churches of Entoto
On the summit and slopes of Mount Entoto are several ancient Ethiopian Orthodox churches. The church of Entoto Raguel, dedicated to the archangel Rafael, is one of the most important. Other churches in the complex include Entoto Maryam (dedicated to the Virgin Mary) and Entoto Estifanos (dedicated to San Esteban). These churches are pilgrimage centers where the faithful come especially during the great feasts: Timkat (Epiphany, January 19), Messel (Invention of the Cross, September 27) and Filseta (Asunción de Maria, August 15).
The devotion to Mary in Entoto
La iglesia de Entoto Maryam, dedicada a la Virgen María, es un lugar de devoción mariana en las tierras altas de Etiopía. Los fieles acuden a esta iglesia para orar, encender velas, ofrecer incienso y participar en los himnos marianos (qene) que son una de las expresiones más hermosas de la literatura sacra etíope. La devoción a María en Etiopía se expresa a través de una rica tradición litúrgica que combina el ge’ez (la lengua sagrada) con cantos y danzas que se remontan a siglos.
The rise to Mount Entoto is in itself a pilgrimage: the faithful walk through paths between eucalypts to reach the churches of the summit, where the fresh air of the high lands and the panoramic view of Addis Ababa create an atmosphere of contemplation and prayer.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Mary
The Virgin Mary (Maryam) is the most venerated saint of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Tewahedo. The churches dedicated to Mary are the most numerous in Ethiopia, and the Marian parties are the most celebrated after Easter and Christmas. The feast of Filseta (August 15, the Assumption) is one of the great solemnities of the Ethiopian liturgical year, with processions, fasting and celebrations that last several days. Throughout the country, the faithful go to the Marian churches to pray, fast and participate in the liturgical trades.
A flower for the Virgin
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