I did not watch the entire video yet.
From what I saw it is demonstrating the various activities and interests undertaken by the Ethiopian Church which assist with day to day life in many parts of Ethiopia.
The Orthodox Church of Ethiopia is the public advocate and social service arm of the nation "since the the beginning of the era" as noted by the narrater; which means since the the age of the Church.
I will try to watch it in full tonight and post more about the specifics.
Thanks for the video.
God bless+++
Dcn Amde
I watched it.
After the first few minutes the video beguns its main objective which is to describe the function of the Ethiopina Tewahado Church.
Then the video moves into whole description of the Ethiopian Orthodox traditions with brief discriptions of the the clergical orders Preist, deacon, sub-deacon, reader, canters, laymen. Above these are bishop, arch bishop, Egzi-eneh papasaat (Patriarch), and above these "Christ" (they demonstrated this by showing the icon of a christ with thorns looking upward). The Icon used to demostrate that Christ is the head of the church is not true Ethiopian iconography. Such icons to many Ethiopian christians are not even orthodox. I was quite embarrassed by the various RC and protestant type icons we have come to use lately in Ethiopia. Its not just because they are white but they are not prepared with orthodox theoligical tradition. I have Russian traditional icons at my office at home etc. which are very orthodox just to make my point.
Anyway....
They go on to then decribe all the various vestments styles worn during the qidassie (liturgy) by the different clergy from sub-deacon to high priest (Kahon, or Leke Kahonot). It shows the crowns (Aqlilew be Kahonot ze Leke Diaqonot) of the high priest and the arch deacons as well. In the Ethiopian Church you know the arch deacon by the fact that he is wearing a very ornate crown and carrying a huge processional cross through out the whole service
(see my avatar). The arch deacon will not carry the cross during the distribution of qurban (Communion) because he will be holding the Chalice administering the blood of Christ to the communicants. The sub-deacon carries the lite of Christ or candle. Ethiopia accepts what is considered "Jerusalem" or Byzantine tradition where the subdeacons, readers and chanters wear white tunics, subdeacons wears a sash crossing his back and the deacon and arch deacon wears the sash over one shoulder but use our local tradition largely or in 97% of the cases. You will find more of the so-called "Jerusalem" tradition in the capitol Addis Abebe and our churches outside Ethiopia; however even in these areas the "Ethiopian" tradition prevails; especially for special celebrations.
During the reading of the Holy Gosple the Leke Kahonot reads the word while carrying the Cross of the arch deacon and the lite (candle) of the sub deacon. This act demonstrates the Old and New testaments which are fullfilled in the Gospels.
They went on to give a brief overview of the church vessels and the use of them in our tradition. They showed how the pesifora (holy bread) is ceremonially made prepared then taken out of what we call 'beyta-lehem" (Bethlehem) where the holy host is made by the deacons. Only a fully ordained deacon or archdeacon can work with the holy bread. The morning of the service the holy bread is put in a 'mesob' (basket) and covered with a beautiful vestment which is blessed. This ornately clad basket wit the holy bread in it is trhen carried on the head of the deacon with prayers and bells, Brocade umbrellas symbolizing the presence of god and the power of the holy spirit and much incense from the priest at the start of the service. The women yu-lu-late loudly and all people bow reverently. This depict Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem 7 days before His resurrection. This is the way the Liturgy begins.
The showed the bells, the censor the crowns (Aqlil) etc. All are used for various purposes during the service. The bell ringing has various meanings; one is that Christ said to be ready for his second coming which may appear at a time we do not know. So we ring the bell which reminds us top watch for Him.
The video is introducing people albiet breiflyto the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia. There is more things that they did mention and many things they did not mention.
I hope this helped.
Your Servant
Dcn Amde Tsion
