Liturgy, matins, and the chant of our fathers — the cycle by which the parish prays.
The Anaphora of the Apostles, sung in Ge'ez and Amharic. The ancient prayers of Saint Hippolytus, rendered in the chant of our fathers. The faithful approach the Holy Mysteries after preparation by fasting and confession.
Daily matins with the Psalter of David — the church awakens before dawn to chant the fifteen prayers of the morning office, joining the angels who never cease singing.
Catechism, hymnody, and instruction in the faith for children and adults alike. Taught in Amharic and English by our diaconal teachers, with classes for every age.
The evening office of incense and lampadarii — closing the day in praise as the sun sets. Held on the eves of feasts and the Sabbath, opening the night vigil.
The priests receive the faithful for sacramental confession by appointment, especially during the fasts. A pastoral conversation is offered at any hour to any soul who asks.
On the great feasts of the Lord and on the patronal feast of St John, the night vigil opens the morning liturgy. The full chant of the Yared tradition rises in procession.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church keeps the longest and most rigorous fasting tradition in Christendom. The year is woven through with seasons of preparation and seasons of joy — together they teach the soul to wait for the Lord and to rejoice in his coming.
Throughout the year, the faithful keep seven fasts of varying length: the Great Lent (Hudadi, ሁዳዴ) before Pascha, the Fast of the Apostles after Pentecost, the Fast of the Assumption in Nehasse, the Advent Fast (Tsoma Genna) before the Nativity, the Fast of Nineveh before Lent, the Fast of the Prophets, and the weekly Wednesday and Friday fasts in memory of our Lord's betrayal and crucifixion.
During the fasts we abstain from animal foods and live on grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruit. The fast is not a burden but a school — a discipline that teaches the body to obey the soul and the soul to seek the Lord.
Our liturgy is sung in the three-fold chant of Saint Yared the Deacon (sixth century), who received the musical modes — ge'ez, ezel, and araray — from the angels in a vision. Every season of the year has its proper chant, and the kebero drum and sistrum (tsenatsel) accompany the sung Psalter.
We administer the seven holy mysteries of the church: baptism, chrismation, the Eucharist, confession, holy matrimony, holy orders, and the anointing of the sick. For requests for baptisms, weddings, funerals, or anointing, please reach out to our clergy through the registration page or write to us directly.
"Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding." — Psalm 47:6–7