How well do you know the history of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity?

Religious Movements and Evangelization in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity

• Christianity had existed in Ethiopia before the expansion of the Christian Kingdom in the Horn of Africa.
• Early Christians in Shewa played a role in the spread of Christianity in several areas.
• Iyesus-Mo'a opened up opportunities for learning and evangelization in central Ethiopia and beyond.
• Amde-Tsion's territorial expansion further spread Christianity during the medieval period.
• Abune Tekle-Haymanot played a key role in reviving Christianity in Shewa and converting Motalami to Christianity.
• The Ewostatewos movement, which emphasized strict Sabbath observance, was founded in the mid-thirteenth century and faced opposition from the organized religious rival group of the clergy in Sera'e.
• Ewostatewos fled to Egypt and the movement weakened but was later revived by his followers who spread to different monasteries in northern Ethiopia.
• The anti-Ewostatewos group was led by the Abbot of the Hayq Monastery and supported by the Abun and the monarch.
• The Estifanosites movement, led by abba Estifanos, emphasized poverty, self-subsistence, equality, and independence from secular authorities.
• Estifanos collided with Zara-Yaqob, who took harsh measures against the Estifanosites for their opposition to the veneration of St. Mary.
• Naod was more favorably inclined towards the Estifanosites and was instrumental in their reintegration into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
• Zara-Yaqob implemented religious reforms, including the standardization of liturgy and the establishment of a council of bishops to oversee church affairs.