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Ethiopia has historically been known as a country that has accepted Christianity before the Birth of Christ. Documented in the Bible
as a country that “stretched its hands onto God” for the well being of its people and all mankind. This is a gift from God that Ethiopia has received early on in history.
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This strong belief in God has reserved Ethiopia in the eyes of God, as a special
place. It is believed that God in particular has bestowed upon St. Mary, the Mother of Christ, to protect Ethiopia and its people; serve as a guardian to this
ancient land of faith as mentioned in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Ethiopians in turn treasure St. Mary and believe in her power of
intercession reflecting the utmost respect they have for the Mother of Christ. This well-known fact is witnessed by people from all over the world.
The special respect and Love Ethiopians have for St. Mary is manifested in their every day life. For example, Ethiopians take St. Mary’s name as their Baptismal
and common name,i.e. Fikirte-Mariam; Woletemariam,Wolde-mariam, Ihete-mariam, etc. They give alms in Her name; they take oaths in Her name;
they confirm promises using Her name; they build Churches in Her name, hence, the Debre Genet Gelila Kidest Mariam Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
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It is also documented that during the era the Queen of Sheba, and her son
Menelik I, when the Ark of the Covenant through the will of God came to Ethiopia, a large number of the original arks named after Saints, Angels and
martyrs along with the clerics and Biblical scholars followed from King Solomon’s Temple of Jerusalem.
In the New Testament, the cross that the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified upon
was brought to Ethiopia and is now located at Debre Kerbe Geshen Mariam Church. This is believed to have tremendously contributed to the blessings from God that Ethiopia has received and continues to receive.
As a result, many regions in Ethiopia, its districts and villages were named after
Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and surrounding areas. This is also how the
Debre Genet Kidest Gellila Mariam Church also got its name.
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