Ethiopians in Washington D.C. keep ancient language and orthodox traditions alive

Africanews (in English)

Ethiopians in Washington D.C. keep ancient language and orthodox traditions alive  To engage the youth, services are offered in both Amharic and English, with translations displayed on screens. The rituals, from removing shoes upon entry to kissing the Gospel as it's carried through the congregation, are rich in symbolism.   READ MORE : http://www.africanews.com/2025/04/16/ethiopians-in-washington-dc-keep-ancient-language-and-orthodox-traditions-alive  Subscribe on our Dailymotion channel and receive all the latest news from the continent.    Africanews is available in English and French.  Website : www.africanews.com  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/africanews.channel/  Twitter : https://twitter.com/africanews

Transcript

00:00In the art of Washington, D.C., the sound of ancient Gaius chants echoes from Riyaz Abdubarat Debrisalem.

00:07Kid is Miriam Church, a spiritual home for thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians,

00:12preserving centuries-old traditions.

00:15Worshippers wrapped in traditional white Nutella shawls bow in reference

00:20and fill the church with prayers and incense smoke.

00:23Our tradition is ancient. It comes from apostolic times.

00:27And we believe in holy tradition.

00:32We have the Bible. We also have the holy tradition.

00:35But the two are not separate.

00:38The Ethiopian Orthodox Church in D.C. serves not just as a place of worship,

00:43but a cultural and spiritual anchor for largest Ethiopian diaspora community in the U.S.

00:49The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has so many beautiful rituals and services.

00:58Every day has its own meaning and a very deep one.

01:02When I'm here, it's full of Ethiopians and full of people that are very welcoming

01:07because that's how we Ethiopians are.

01:09But when I'm here in this church, that's how it really feels, and it really feels like home.

01:15With more than 1,500 registered members and over 4,000 weekly attendees,

01:22the church is deeply committed to passing on faith and language to younger generations.

01:27These kids, if they learn the tradition, the language, and also the faith, of course, the religion,

01:41if they do that, they can balance.

01:45You know, life here is very hectic, you know,

01:47and also it's geared towards material profit.

01:52But the tradition concentrates on, focuses on spiritual development.

02:00So engaged youth services are offered in both Ambaric and English,

02:05with translations displayed on screens.

02:07Through tradition, language, and faith,

02:10the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in D.C. stands as a living bridge

02:13between Asian heritage and modern diaspora life.

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