Ethiopian Church Claims Ark of Covenant

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church's Claim to the Ark of the Covenant

On November 12, 1992, Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarch Abune Merkorios publicly stated that the church possesses the Ark of the Covenant in Axum, Ethiopia. Historian Richard Pankhurst wrote about this claim in his book "The Ethiopian Borderlands" published in 1997. The church's assertion has sparked intense curiosity and debate among historians and scholars.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think the Ark of the Covenant was lost to history, possibly destroyed or hidden away by the ancient Israelites. The standard story goes that the Ark was last seen in the Second Temple in Jerusalem before the Babylonian conquest in 586 BCE. However, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's claim challenges this narrative, prompting a reexamination of historical records and accounts.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Edward Ullendorff, in his 1968 book "Ethiopia and the Bible", actively researched the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's claim, tracing it back to the 4th century CE. On January 20, 327 CE, King Ezana of Axum converted to Christianity, and the church claims that the Ark was brought to Axum by King Menelik I, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, in 950 BCE. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has maintained a consistent tradition of guarding the Ark, with priests appointed to care for it and restrict access to the artifact. Richard Pankhurst, in his 1997 book, analyzed the accounts of Portuguese explorer Miguel de Castanhosa, who visited Axum in 1520 and wrote about the church's claim to the Ark. On June 10, 1520, de Castanhosa noted that the church's priests were sworn to secrecy regarding the Ark's location and condition. Historian Stuart Munro-Hay, in his 1991 book "Aksum: An African Civilisation of Late Antiquity", actively investigated the historical context of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's claim, finding that the church's tradition of guarding the Ark dates back to the 13th century. By examining the accounts of these historians and primary sources, it becomes clear that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's claim to the Ark of the Covenant is rooted in a complex and fascinating history.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians and scholars have contributed to the story of the Ark of the Covenant being forgotten, as they have often prioritized other historical events and figures. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church's claim to possess the Ark has been largely ignored by Western scholars, who have traditionally focused on European and Middle Eastern historical accounts. Emperor Haile Selassie's government also played a significant role in suppressing the story, as they sought to maintain control over the narrative surrounding the Ark and the Church. Specifically, the government restricted access to the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, where the Ark is said to be housed, and limited the dissemination of information about the Ark. This deliberate suppression of information has resulted in a lack of concrete evidence and a general disinterest in the topic among scholars and the general public.

The Ripple Effect

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church's claim to possess the Ark of the Covenant has had a direct impact on the construction of the modern-day temple in Axum, Ethiopia. The temple, which was built to house the Ark, has become a major pilgrimage site for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. The temple's design and construction were influenced by the Church's belief in the Ark's presence, and its existence has shaped the local community's identity and traditions. For example, the temple's annual festival, which celebrates the Ark's presence, attracts thousands of visitors and has become an important part of Ethiopian cultural heritage.

The Line That Says It All

The Ark of the Covenant remains hidden from public view, locked away in a treasury chamber within the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum, Ethiopia, with only a select few ever having claimed to have seen it.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Ark of the Covenant.