New Church of St. Mary of Zion: First church in the first Christian kingdom (Part -2)

By Asad Russel – 

After Part – 1
The history of the New Church of St. Mary of Zion:
The church of not only the triumphs and struggles symbolizes from the ashes the rise of the Church of St. Mary of Zion, but the nation of Ethiopia also. Here all were crowned the emperors of the Ethiopia. On the porch by ringing the bell precincts in the church sanctuary could receive the criminals until the 1930s.

The Silver Jubilee to mark in 1955, next to the old one a new Church of St. Mary of Zion founded the Emperor Haile Selassie. In 1964 it was completed. For the Cathedral to attend the dedication of Queen Elizabeth II to Ethiopia the state visit interrupted Emperor Selassie. A few days later she visited the Church of St. Mary of Zion the British monarch. For the women the entrance allows the New Church of St. Mary of Zion the original Church of St. Mary of Zion unlike.

The church treasures to hold next to the original Church of St. Mary of Zion a relic chapel was built the Selassie in 1965 and the Ark of the Covenant revered. In the 1980s against the central government during the war of liberation in the battle zone was the Axum. In the area 83 churches of plundering were accused the Marxist forces and of priests killing a number, but seriously were not damaged of Axum the ancient shrines thankfully.

At the New Church of St. Mary of Zion what to see:
On the site still can be seen of the Church of St. Mary of Zion of the 4th century the foundation stones. Syrian influence shows the old Church of St. Mary of Zion of the 17th century. By a colonnade surrounded it is a structure of square and squat, during the services by the dancing priests used. The violent past of the site’s which reflect the walls of fortress like the crenellated it has and with colorful paintings and murals decorated a hushed interior.

There is a vestibule inside the church, and there is the Holy of Holies beyond that, but the priests closed to everyone. The vestibule cannot go beyond the pilgrims and to the courtyard are confined the women. Of worshippers by the crowds overwhelmed is quickly the small church during the services, in a wave of sound rises and falls chanting whose sonorous. In procession to Gospel book to carry from the Holy of Holies emerge when the priest, bright robes they were and by splendid umbrellas of ceremonial are shielded.

In its architecture is modern the New Church of St. Mary of Zion, than the old one more spacious and with the art which is colorful was decorated. With the Ethiopian influences of the Greek Byzantine style in a modern interpretation it was built. The Twelve Tribes of Israel, the Holy Trinity and the Twelve Apostles depicting there is a large painting of the church at the front.    

Posted by : Unknown 7:51 PM Tags : Travel Destinations

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