Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa

Description

Background

As with the building of any church, the construction of the cathedral was considered the spiritual duty of a person of wealth. Construction started with the blessing of a replica of the cathedral's Tabot, a replica of the Ark of the Covenant. The cathedral has a threefold division modelled on Solomon's Temple: The outer ring is where hymns are sung by the congregation; the middle circle is where holy communion is given; and the innermost circle, accessible only by the priests, contains the Tabot. The cathedral is an example of a square church, circular churches being the most common type.

Holy Trinity Cathedral bears the title Menbere Tsebao ('Pure Altar'). It was built in 1942.

Cathedral complex

The cathedral complex also includes the 'Bale Wold' (Feast of God the Son) Church, which is also known as the Church of the Four Heavenly Creatures. This church served as the original Holy Trinity Monastery Church before the building of the cathedral and dates back to the reign of Emperor Menelik II. Other facilities include a primary and a secondary school, a monastery and the Holy Trinity Theological College, a museum and monuments housing the remains of those massacred in Addis Ababa by the Italians in 1937 in response to an assassination attempt against Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, Viceroy of Italian East Africa. In addition is the monument and tomb of the officials of the imperial government who were executed by the Communist Derg regime. Holy Trinity Cathedral is the official seat of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Addis Ababa. The Patriarchs of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church are enthroned at Holy Trinity Cathedral and all Bishops are consecrated there as well.

The church compound was the burial place for those who fought against the Italian occupation, or those who accompanied the Emperor Haile Selassie into exile from 1936 to 1941.

Imperial tombs and burials

Main article: List of burials of prominent people at Holy Trinity Cathedral (Addis Ababa)

The emperor and his consort the Empress Menen Asfaw are buried in the north transept of the cathedral. Other members of the Imperial Family are buried in the crypt. The High Altar of the cathedral is dedicated to 'Agaiste Alem Kidist Selassie' (Sovereigns of the World the Holy Trinity). The other two altars in the Holy of Holies on either side of the High Altar are dedicated to John the Baptist and to 'Kidane Meheret' (Our Lady Covenant of Mercy). In the south transept of the cathedral is the chapel of Archangel Michael, which houses the Tabot of St. Michael the Archangel, which was returned to Ethiopia in February 2002 after being discovered in Edinburgh.

The tombs of Haile Selassie, Menen Asfaw, and other members of the Imperial Family are inside Holy Trinity Cathedral. Patriarchs, Abuna Takla Haymanot and Abune Paulos of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, are buried in the churchyard, as is the famous British suffragette and anti-fascist activist Sylvia Pankhurst. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and other prominent Ethiopians are also buried there.

Gallery

| File:Holy Trinity Cathedral Addis Abeba.jpg | Entrance of the Holy Trinity Cathedral | File:Holy Trinity Cathedral Addis Abeba 2.JPG | In closest view of the church | File:Addis abeba, chiesa della trinità, interno, 01.jpg | Interior of the cathedral | File:Addis abeba, chiesa della trinità, interno, dipinti 04.jpg |Interior painting showing Haile Selassie hoisting flag of Ethiopia |Stain glass icon showing the Nativity of Jesus, painted around 1954 |File:Addis abeba, chiesa della trinità, interno, troni di haile selassie e della moglie per assistere alle funzioni 07.jpg|Throne of Haile Selassie and his wife Menen Asfaw

Notes

References

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