Ethiopian Orthodox monasticism

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Ethiopian Orthodox monk from Debre Damo with illuminated Bible manuscript

Emergence

According to tradition, monasticism in Ethiopia was introduced through the so-called " nine saints ". These monks, who probably came from the Syrian region and spread pre-Chalcedonian theology, are said to have founded the first monasteries and brought the monastic rules of Saints Anthony and Pachomios to Ethiopia. However, monasticism only gained real attractiveness and importance through Abba Iyäsus-Mo'a (1214–1294). During the reform period that began with it, Ethiopian monasticism spread rapidly.

Role in the Ethiopian past and present

In contrast to secular clerics, monks are celibate and strictly ascetic. During the time of the monarchy they were better trained and organized and found employment at the imperial court and use in infusing the newly conquered population with Amharic- Christian ideas. In medieval Ethiopia, during a time when the king was constantly changing his place of residence, the monasteries were the only permanent institutions. Therefore, together with the royal court, they became the focal points of medieval Ethiopian society, which guaranteed a minimum of social and economic standards. They can therefore rightly be seen as “the bearer and disseminator, sustainer and champion of the Christian-Ethiopian culture” (Haberland 1965: 34). Ethiopian (and Eritrean ) Orthodox monasteries lost this important role in Ethiopian society in the course of the communist land reform (see Derg ), in which they lost most of their land holdings. However, they are still centers for traditional Ethiopian schooling and spiritual centers. It should not be forgotten that important art treasures (especially valuable Bible editions ) await their discovery in them . It should also be noted that only monk priests can be ordained Ethiopian Orthodox bishops.

organization

Each monastery lives according to its own rule (in Old Ethiopian ስራት, sïrat , in Amharic ደንብ; dämb ), even if these do not have the same meaning as the rules of European monasteries. Monastery rules are mostly co-drafted by the founders of the monastery and determine things such as the frequency of the celebration of the liturgy, drinking coffee and the question of whether and on what occasions the abbot should leave the monastery.

ethiopian orthodox nun with "qob"

Today there are around 800 monasteries (ገዳም; gädam ) in Ethiopia , some of which emphasize the community aspect and some the reclusive element. Admission into a monastic community, through which a woman acquires the title emahoy and a man the title abba , takes place after a varying length of probationary period with spiritual training and a final, strict 40-day fasting period . When entering the monastery, the candidate wears his / her hair shorn and uses his / her baptismal name. Full acceptance occurs when a priest or bishop of the sister / brother puts the qob (a special hat that characterizes monastic life) on the shaven head in a liturgical celebration .

A peculiarity of the Ethiopian Orthodox monasticism is that many old women and men take off their vows and put on monastery clothing in order to then lead an ascetic life at home (or in a monastery). This is probably also for reasons of your own future provision.

Women’s monasteries are usually built in the vicinity of men’s monasteries because, with a few exceptions, they are legally subordinate to them, receive spiritual care from them and also provide services for them. Today, women's monasteries (especially the Gätesemani Betä Dänagïl Täbabat monastery in Säbata) are initiating a rethinking of the role of monasticism in Ethiopia, which want to emphasize the social aspect more.

Famous and important monasteries

See also

literature

  • Chaillot, Christine: The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Tradition. A Brief Introduction to its Life and Spirituality . Paris: Orthdruk 2002.
  • Haberland, Eike: Investigations into the Ethiopian royalty . Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner Verlag 1965.
  • Friedrich Heyer : The Church of Ethiopia. An inventory (= Theological Library Töpelmann. Volume 22). De Gruyter, Berlin / New York 1971, ISBN 3-11-001850-0 .
  • Persoon, Joachim Gregor: Monks and Cadres in the Land of Prester-John: An Interdisciplinary Study of Modern Ethiopian Monasticism and its Encounter with Communism . (PhD. Dissertation). London: School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 2003.

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