In the middle of the holy city of the world Jerusalem there is a secret place which is not so familiar. Walking down Ethiopia hidden street until you reach a metal door and look up, you will see an Amharic inscription and two reliefs of lions smiling at you and holding a flag, this is the place.

Go into the gate, but be careful not to stumble from the gate entrance.You will see a large circular structure it is the Ethiopian church of Jerusalem before you. On the top we find a round metal roof with the Ethiopian cross. The Ethiopians think the devil waits in the corners, so there's no place for the devil here.  The style of the structure is eclectic and combines western design with traditional Greek design like the pediment.

The named of the church Kindane Meheret means the Covenant of Mercy due to a special story about the lost covenant of ark related to this place. It belongs to a Christian Orthodoxic monastery known as Dovrat-Ganat: The Mount of Paradise, and was built thanks to the Ethiopian emperor Johannes, who bought the land from the Ottoman government as part of the process of getting outside of the old city walls.

The Church yard and It's Surrounding

Upon entering the yard, you will probably see Christian church members sitting on the neighboring bench with children playing around the church is surrounded by community buildings.

In the left, you will notice the house of bread, where they make the sacred bread for the communion ceremony.

To the right, you will see a small building that serves as a gathering place for the community during local gatherings and events. You may go in without fear and they will greet you with a smile.

The round church is provided with three entrances and a balcony which surrounds it. Separate entrance for women, men and clerics. Beyond the church, there is another building that provides housing for members of the community working there.

Before we remove our shoes and entering this sacred place, why do we have here in the middle of Jerusalem a street called Ethiopia and an Ortodox church for Ethiopian Christians?

The story of the Christian Ethiopians and their former ancestor King Salomon.

The Ethiopian sacred book called "The Glory of Kings" (Kebra Negast) and contains traditions and a famous story about the Queen of Sheba visiting King Solomon in Jerusalem. The book says Queen Sheba fell in love with the king and his charismatic character and became pregnant. On the way back to Ethiopia, she gave birth to the child. Before the left, King Solomon gave her a special ring to bring their son, so that when he will grow up, he could know that he is the king's son.

She named their son Menelik, a King in the Ge’ez language.

Back in Ethiopia, she received a gift from King Solomon, a flag in the image of a lion, symbol of the tribe of Judah. Since then, it has been the symbol of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and for the living Ethiopians prove they belong to the dynasty of King Solomon.

When Menelik was 20 years old, he came to visit his father Solomon in Jerusalem (and it’s about time).

He wanted a souvenir and secretly took the Jewish ark of the covenant to Axum in Ethiopia. King Solomon found on this too late and the Ark of the Covenant found its way towards Ethiopia.

Keepers of the Convent Ark

Many believe that the lost Jewish covenant ark has still existed in the Axum city in Ethiopia and think it is inside the local St. Mary of Zion church inside the chapel of the tablet.

No one can enter this place except for a special guardian who is dedicating his life to keep this place safe. Therefore, the Christian Ethiopians consider themselves as the keepers of the lost convent ark.

The St. Mary of Zion consider has a great meaning to the Christian Ethiopians and consider a traditional place for the Ethiopian emperor to be crowned.

Remove your shoes before entering the church, as this is a sacred place.

Inside the Church

The first thing you will notice when entering the church is many pictures of Jesus and Maria but you will notice it is not the western orthodox picture you are used to see in orthodox church. Now Jesus and Maria have an Ethiopian look.

You have a round corridor In front of you and a square structure known as the Holy of Holies, the “Maqdas”. It symbolizes the holy place inside the Jewish Temple (Maqdas is a similar word as a temple in Hebrew). This is where the celebration of communion takes place. Above you will find an explanation of the church in Italian, French, Arabic and the local Amharic language on either side.

The celling have pastoral colors with angels drawing, which creates a calm atmosphere and help for prayer and meditation.

Walking along the circular corridors, you will also find the Kebero drum, the traditional Ethiopian goat leather drum. It serves for ceremonies and symbolizes the beaten body of Jesus.

There is also a T-shaped walking stick known as Debtera. It's the prayer stick. It is used as a support stick for the priest during long ceremonies and also used to tap on the ground and make a rhythm to prayer.

The Ethiopian and Christianity

Ethiopian nation is the second nation after the Armenian nation to convert to Christianity during the fourth century. The Christians in Ethiopia are mostly Orthodox (Tewahedo church).

There is a traditional story about the way the Christianity arrived in Ethiopia.

According to the story, two Syrian brothers sailed a boat which was swept away to Ethiopia. They were appointed to positions in the king's court as they were very educated. One day one of the brothers went to Alexandria (today’s Egypt) as part of his job and met with the local bishop. He told the bishop that there are only few Christians members in Ethiopia but they have no church to pray at. The bishop got impressed with him and decides to appoint him as the bishop of Ethiopia. This causes a strange situation according to which the Egyptian Copts appoint an Ethiopian Christian religious leader without knowing their language.

Christian Ethiopians and Judaism

There are many Traditions held by Ethiopian Christians, which are similar to Judaism traditions such as:

1] Observance of Shabbat. The Christian Ethiopian does not work on Shabbat and use this day as their day off.

2] Food restriction, they eat only kosher food.

3] Practice circumcision.

4] Keeping some of the Jewish feasts.

Maybe you know this place for the movie?

Part of the epic movie Exodus released in 1960 with the actor Paul Newman was filmed just here, in the Ethiopian church courtyard.

The History of the church

On the entrance wall leading to the churchyard there are two reliefs of the Ethiopian lions holding a Christian cross and a wearing a crown. Next to the lions is written in the Ge’ez language (the Ethiopian sacred language): "The lion of the tribe of Judah, Menelik the second, king of the kings of Ethiopia, won in 1889." This Indicates that the church was established in 1889. The church named Dovrat-Ganat, Mount of Paradise, and was built thanks to the Ethiopian emperor Johannes, who bought the land from the Ottoman government as part of the process of getting outside of the old city walls. That is why in the same area you will find more building belong to the Ethiopian Christian community as the house of the Ethiopian consul.

The Christian Ethiopians came to Jerusalem in the 15th century. During the Ottoman period their power weakened and many left back to Ethiopia. Upon their return, they find out that their territory in the Christian Quarter in the old city was taken by others. Having no choice, they sat on the roof of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Up To this day, Deir El Sultan is known as the Monastery of Solomon, named after King Solomon and located on top of the Holy Sepulcher church.

Travel Information

This street is full with gorgeous historical buildings such as The Ethiopian consulate building in Ha-nevi’im 40 street and the German Hospital (former Bikur Holim hospital) on  Haneviim 51 street and many more. In general, walking around this church will make you feel as if you returned back to the beginning of the 20^th century.

Address: Ethiopia 10. Street, Jerusalem

Arrival options

Accessibility

The church is not suitable for wheelchairs as it has steps and a narrow entrance.

Weather/clothing

Since this is a sacred place one should dress respectfully. Avoid shorts, short skirts and tank tops.

 Jerusalem consider to be cold during the winter so bring a jacket with you.

Add this place for your next visit in Jerusalem

If you are looking for a magical place which the locals don’t know about, this is it.

When I first entered this church, I was excited to learn about the Ethiopian Christian community and got impressed from the unconventional church.

The structure is gorgeous and entering the church will let you explore the Ethiopian Christian Orthodox manners.  

The similarity between the customs of Judaism with Ethiopian Christianity and the story of the Ark of the Covenant make you think that they may indeed be the descendants of King Solomon. Maybe the story of the lost ark of covenant in Ethiopia is true?