Christian Pilgrimage Tours

These tours are for travellers that are interested in eccleceistical histories of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, EOC, and for those that want to observe the various religious celebrations.

The EOC holds quite huge amount of manuscripts, artifacts and other relics of historical importance together with quite a number of legends and myths.

It is beyond the scope of this web site to go into the chronological history and the doctrine of this coptic church.

Since this topic is on pilgrimage, here are some points that should serve as basic backgrounds.

There are hundreds of EOC churches throughout the country. Some are in towns and cities, others are in the rural areas, and yet others, especially those linked to monastries, are on mountain tops and inside deep forests and are thus almost inaccessible.

All of the churches have one thing in common, they all house a 'tabot' or two, named after, or patroned by, Saints, Angels or the Godhead. One cannot have a church without a Tabot, which incidentally, is a replica of the box in the Old Testament tabernacle, that holds the plate of the Ten Commandments, etc..

There are fourty four of such tabots, and the thirty days of the month are distributed among these 44 tabots.
For example, the 19th day of every month is attributed to the Archangel Gabriel. Out of the 12 such 'Gabriel' days in a year, one or two of the dates will have more significance than the rest, and are considered to be 'coronation' dates. On such dates, the tabot is taken out of the church building and after first making three rounds of the building, is placed outside for all the faithfull to see, .

These 'coronation' dates are tied up with miracles performed by the 'patron' of the tabot, the Archangel Gabriel in the above example.

The church where this miracle took place is given a special recognition. Although it is possible to go on a pilgrimage to any of these sites at any time of the year, most believers from all over the country prefer to make the long journey to take part in the celebration of the 'coronation', where they may make a new vow, or rejoice for vows fullfilled.

Some of these annual 'coronation' dates are quite interesting to watch, and enables one to realize the important place religion holds in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church followers.

Following are some of the most respected shrines that attract follwers from near and far during their 'coronation' dates:

Axum: - the 4th century holy city where the Arc of the Covenant rests.
Debre Damo Monastery: - The monastery established by Abune Aregawi (one of the nine Saints) of the 6th century.
Lalibela: - One of the Eighth Wonders of the World for its remarkably excavated rock-hewn churches.
Gishen Mariam Church: - is built in a marvelous (table land) landscape. A fragment from the original True Cross is burried underneath this church. Because of this, this shrine is one of the most sacred churches in the country.
Island Monasteries: - there are about 20 monasteries (some allowed only for men and some for women) on the Islands of Lake Tana.
Debre Libanos Monastery: - built by the famous Ethiopian monk Abune Teklehaymanot in the 13th century, and is located 105 km North of Addis Ababa.
Adadi Mariam rock church: - built by King Lalibela in the 13th century, and is located west of Addis Ababa.
Zuquala Abo: - the Church is built on the hilltop of Zuquala Mountain near by the creator lake, well known as a Holy lake. For many centuries the rim has been the site of the Monastery.
Qulubi Gabriel: - 126 kms (78 mile) from Dire Dawa, the Church of St. Gabriel is built at the town of Qulubi. Twice a year (end of December & July) the celebration commemorating the miracle of Saint Gabriel is held.

Trip Suggestions:
It is preferable to conduct such trips synchronized with the annual celebration date of a particular shrine. If you are interested to make pilgrimage, Dinknesh Ethiopia Tour has arranged a 2 - 6 days program for each of the above sites.