Photographer Aydin Cetinbostanoglu is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this documentary photography. From the project ‘Annual Feast of St. Mary of Zion and the Ark of the Covenant’. To see Aydin’s body of work, click on any photograph.

Ethiopia has the world’s second-largest Orthodox population (about 36 million people) after Russia and a history of Christianity dating back to the fourth century.

Church historians say that in the early 300s, a Christian traveler known as Fréteusius was captured in the Kingdom of Aksum, located in northern Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is known that after his release he helped spread Christianity in the region and was later elected the first Bishop of Aksum by the Patriarch of Alexandria. The religious roots of the Orthodox community that exists in Ethiopia today date back to the time of Frumentius.

According to the research results, Orthodox Ethiopians constitute 14 percent of the global Orthodox population. Moreover, it is observed that this community is much more religious than Orthodox Christians in Central and Eastern Europe and the United States.

The Orthodox Church in Ethiopia is part of the “Eastern” branch of the tradition, along with five other Eastern Orthodox churches (Egypt, India, Armenia, Syria, and Eritrea).

A distinguishing factor of Ethiopian Orthodoxy is the use of practices rooted in Judaism. For example, Orthodox Ethiopians observe the Jewish Sabbath, have their sons circumcised at eight days old, and observe Kosher, the Jewish dietary law.

In addition, a text sanctified by Orthodox Ethiopians, as it contains the claim that Ethiopian Queen Makeda and Solomon whom the Jews regard as a King, had a son, establishes a historical bond between two different religious communities. The aforementioned son, Menelik I, became emperor of Ethiopia about 3,000 years ago and allegedly took the Ark of the Holy Covenant from Jerusalem to Ethiopia. Many Orthodox Ethiopians today believe that this ark exists in the St. Mary of Zion Church in Ethiopia, and they protect the church.

Ethiopian Christians affiliated with the Tewahedo Church celebrate this every year on November 30 under the name “Feast of St. Mary of Zion and the Ark of the Covenant” in every church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The holiday is celebrated with particular fervor in Axum Tsion, where the Ark of the Covenant is safely kept, making it one of the annual pilgrimages of Ethiopians to the holy city of Axum. (SOURCE)

Ethiopians living outside their country also celebrate this holiday in the churches allocated to them in their countries.

I watched and photographed this feast ceremony in the church reserved for Ethiopians in Istanbul which I was invited to. I have seen many church rituals during my previous photography work. This time, when men come to church, they use Talit-like shawls thrown over their shoulders, examples of which I have seen in synagogues before, women cover their heads, and shoes are taken off outside, which distinguishes them from other church ceremonies. Another difference is that the clergy walk around under a colorful umbrella during the ceremony.

After similar opening rituals that I have seen in every church, 2 drums were brought in front of the altar. The girls, dressed in green religious clothes and wearing crowns on their heads, took the drums and started playing with each other and reciting prayers with ritual movements. What seemed like a folkloric song at first, but I later learned that they were prayers written for the church. This ceremony continued with the drums being played by different people. While the priests on duty at the church left to continue the ceremony in the garden, the group continued to play religious hymns and drums as they walked in front of them. Hymn singing continued with rhythmic movements in the church garden. As I was leaving after the ceremony, I was invited to dinner. The person who invited me said that if I eat this food, all my health problems will be cured. I couldn’t refuse this offer. Three types of vegetable dishes have been prepared and served on their unique bread. Women prepare these meals at home and bring them to church. Food is being eaten with hands. At the end of the meal, while I was preparing the remaining bread to give to the serving table, the lady sitting next to me took them and placed them in front of her. Considering that tons of food are thrown away every year today, this is a behavior that should be respected.

It was a very rich ceremony that included African cultures with its dances and folkloric religious prayers and consisted of friendly people.

I experienced a very different culture.

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Istanbul – Dec.2023

Bio

I was born in 1954 in Izmir, Turkey

I took my first photograph in 1970.

In 1973, my high school art teacher saw my photos and encouraged me to open my own photography exhibition.

I graduated from Ankara University, Faculty of Political Sciences in 1978. I studied political science, law, and history.

I've been photographing human stories since 1970.

I shared my works with the audience in 39 solo and 28 group exhibitions at home and abroad.

Since 1975, I have received various awards at home and abroad.

All images and text © Aydin Cetinbostanoglu