Changes

The '''Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church''' became the state church of [[Ethiopia]] in the 4th century with the appointment of Abune Sellama as bishop. It traces its beginning to the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, treasurer to the Candace, Queen of Ethiopia. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%208:26-39&version=KJV Acts 8:26-39.]

The '''Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church''' became the state church of [[Ethiopia]] in the 4th century with the appointment of Abune Sellama as bishop. It traces its beginning to the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, treasurer to the Candace, Queen of Ethiopia. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%208:26-39&version=KJV Acts 8:26-39.]

From the 4th century, beginning with Abune Sellama appointed as bishop, the head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church was always appointed by the [[Coptic Church|Coptic]] Patriarch of Alexandria in Egypt. The bishops who succeeded Abune Sellama were always Egyptian Copts. The Ethiopian Orthodox church was a part of the Coptic Orthodox church, and recognized the patriarchy of the Pope and Patriarch in Alexandria until 1959,when the Coptic Pope made the church an autocephalous church with its own patriarch.

From the 4th century, beginning with Abune Sellama appointed as bishop, the head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church was always appointed by the [[Coptic Church|Coptic]] Patriarch of Alexandria in Egypt. The bishops who succeeded Abune Sellama were always Egyptian Copts. The Ethiopian Orthodox church was a part of the Coptic Orthodox church, and recognized the patriarchy of the Pope and Patriarch in Alexandria until 1959,when the Coptic Pope made the church an autocephalous church with its own patriarch. There are dioceses in the United States, Canada, and other nations.

==Ark of the Covenant==

==Ark of the Covenant==

The Church claims to have the original [[ark of the covenant]] in Aksum at the Church of St. Mary of Zion. Not even the high priest of Aksum can enter its resting chamber. Its sole custodian is a virgin monk who cannot leave the sacred grounds until his death.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/story/where-is-the-ark-of-the-covenant britannica, " Where Is the Ark of the Covenant? "]</ref>

The Church claims to have the original [[ark of the covenant]] in Aksum at the Church of St. Mary of Zion. Not even the high priest of Aksum can enter its resting chamber. Its sole custodian is a virgin monk who cannot leave the sacred grounds until his death.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/story/where-is-the-ark-of-the-covenant britannica, " Where Is the Ark of the Covenant? "]</ref>