The Beauty of the Ethiopian Qiddase (Eucharistic Liturgy)
by Mebratu K. Gebru, PhD Student (Emmanuel College)
As the Byzantine Orthodox Churches call it, the Divine Liturgy is “heaven on earth service.” This is very true for the Qiddase of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Having Jewish, Coptic and Syrian roots, the Ethiopian Qiddase has undergone various developments which contributed to the splendor and exuberant beauty demonstrated in its celebration. The numerous Eucharistic anaphorae are also one of the factors for the richness of the Ethiopian Qiddase, and each anaphora is worth of an intensive scholarly study. Focusing on the pattern and peculiarities of the celebration of Ethiopian Qiddase, and on the meaningful symbolism of some of the acts in the celebration, this paper tries to show the liturgical beauty of Ethiopian Qiddase.
