- Dennis CokeEthiopian Orthodox Church on Maxfield Avenue
Anthea McGibbon, Religion Feature Co-ordinator
MORE than spiritual food awaits you at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Apart from being offered bread made from wheat or corn you are likely to leave with an almost culturally shocking experience.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is filled with people sporting long flowing locks but according to one priest, Fr. Gabre Selassie, they are not a"Rastafarian church". Locks are a symbol of their Afrocentric beliefs - a statement of culture.
Historically the Ethiopian Orthodox Church dating back to the Ethiopian eunuch in 34AD (see book of Acts) is the oldest Christian church. According to Fr. Selassie, the church arose from a "struggle against a colonial system".
Since March 30, 1970 the church, originally located at Ebenezer, has existed in Jamaica. According to Fr. Selassie, 700 persons were baptised by Aba Lechaman Drake in the first baptism then. Now headquartered at 131 Maxfield Avenue there are branches in Linstead, St. Catherine; Ocho Rios, St. Ann; Montego Bay, St. James; Westmoreland, Portland, and St. Thomas. The church believes in venerating the virgin birth.
Mary is revered as the one of the highest saints in the church. Emperor Haile Selassie is revered as well, but as the only black king who sat upon a throne established by God. They believe in the trinity - three names, one God (father of Jesus Christ begotten Son of faith). January 7 is the day they celebrate Christmas and they speak the Ethiopian language - Amharic.
Interestingly, the church is led by an all-male clergy, the members of which must be graduates of a theological seminary.
About the misconceptions of the church being Rastafarians Fr. Selassie said, "When the Emperor sent a church he sent a doctrine not a building,." There are a lot of churches in the same position as the Rastafarian misconception.
"Understandably a good number of persons are initially attracted to the church because of this misconception. Those who stay are upon agreement through a three-month course.
The church contributes generously to charities and has a basic school on the compound.
