The doctrine of creation according

to the Ethiopian Church.

Prepared by
Binyam Girma (Hailemariam)
Dec 2024 GC
[email protected]
 Content

1. Introduction to Ethiopian church

2. The Church view on creation
3. How and Why God create the world
4. 1st day Creations
5. 2nd day Creations
6. 3rd day Creations
7. 4th day Creations
8. 5th day Creations
9. 6th day Creations
10. The twenty worlds
10.1. Fire worlds
10.2. Earth worlds
10.3. Water worlds
10.4. Wind worlds
11. How Day and Night occur
12. How seasons occur
13. The Six Gates of the Sun and Moon
14. Gravitational forces
15. Behemoth and Leviathan
16. Admas and Nagéb
17. The World as an Egg
 Introduction to Ethiopian church
The Ethiopian Tewahedo Church is one of
the oldest Christian churches in the
world, with its origins dating back to the
4th century AD.

The Ethiopian Tewahedo Church uses the

Ge'ez alphabet, which is one of the
oldest alphabets in the world. The Ge'ez
alphabet is still used today for the liturgi-
cal books and other religious texts of the
Ethiopian Church.

The Ethiopian Tewahedo Church has a

unique liturgical calendar, which in-
cludes many feasts and fasts that are
specific to Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Tewahedo church is home

to the Ark of the Covenant, and the true
cross

The Ethiopian Tewahedo Bible is notable

for its extensive canon, containing be-
tween 81 and 88 books, which is far
more than the KJV. An expanded canon
includes several texts not present in the
KJV, such as the: Book of Enoch. Book of
Esdras.
Awald books in the Ethiopian church
Awald means children, these books are children of the
holy bible. The books are taken from the bible and com-
posed for specific purpose.
– Theological Books
- Haymanote Abew, writings of the Apostolic Fathers The Church view on creation
- The pastoral work of St. John Chrysostom.
- Book of the mystery by Abba Georgis The Ethiopian Church theological
– Books on the orders of the church perspective on creation is based
- The liturgical book with the 14 Anaphora on scriptural evidence and the
- The book of Baptism insights of early Church fathers.
- The book of the Sacrament of Matrimony
– Books on Church administration and on counseling The Church believes that one of
- Book on the Synod of the Apostles in four parts the ways God's existence is known
- The book on the Synod of Nicea is through creation. Therefore, she
– Hymn books, mostly by Saint Yared teaches her children extensively
– Books on Calendar and clearly about creation. This
- Book of Abushakir creation teaching is the first lesson
– Books on History that students study within the
- First writing on Zion Church's educational system.
- History of the Kings of Axum
- History of the Kings of Zagwe Because if the student or church
– Books on Lives and works of the Saints, martyrs, member has a distorted under-
Monks, hermits and monastics from all the over standing or perception of creation,
the world that are known and chosen by God. they begin to doubt the exictance
– Different philosophical books of God. Since all of the church's
– Books on Creation teachings are based on creation, it
– Phisalgos, Books on nature and behavior of Animals is a crucial area of study.
– Book of Sena fetrat, Books on creation
– Book of Aksimaros by st Epiphanius.
– The Book of the Mysteries of the Heavens and the Earth.
Illustrations showing the structure
of heaven and earth.

In addition to written materials, The

church, teaches the creation of the
world through various illustrations. The
images below are illustrations found in
various ancient manuscripts, explaining
the creation of earth and heaven.
Layers Showing Earth, the lower sky, the BritLib. Orient 503, fol. 2v
firmament, water above, the heavens

God creating Sun and moon in the firma- A man looks through a telescope at the constellations
ment, the waters above and angels in the sky, above which are angels.
Rock-Hewn Churches of Ethiopia Dagmawi Lalibela
The cosmological model of Earth inscribed on the wall of Dagmawi Lalibela
 How did God create the world
and everything in it?
In Ethiopian Church, the concept of creation
Ex- Nihilo (out of nothing) is deeply rooted in
the doctrine of creation. This foundational
belief signifies that God started the cosmos
without preexisting materials, demonstrating
his ultimate sovereignty and omnipotence.

- Angels and mankind are created to

praise and worship God as He is will-
ing to share and give His divine glory
and eternal life.
- For food and drink.
- To know God through His magnifi-
cent blueprint set in the creation.

The Holy Scripture clearly states that all creation was made in six days. If each creation
were counted individually, no one could have accomplished it. However, according to
their nature and lifestyle, they are categorized into 22 types.
 First day Tsiria Ariyam (The highest Hall)

In the beginning God created the heaven Menibere Mengisit (Throne room)
and the earth. And the earth was without
form, and void; and darkness was upon Semayi Widud (Up most Heaven)

The Heaven
the face of the deep. And the Spirit of
God moved upon the face of the waters. Eyerusalem Semayawit (Heavenly Jerusalem
And God said, Let there be light: and
there was light. And God saw the light, Iyor (Angelic city 1)
that it was good: and God divided the
light from the darkness. And God called Rama (Angelic city 2)
the light Day, and the darkness he called
Night. And the evening and the morning
Erer (Angelic city 3)
were the first day. Gen 1: 1-5

On the 1st Day God made 8 Creations

The Earth

Fire Water Earth

ጽርሃ አርያም
መንበረ መንግሥት
ሰማይ ወዱድ
መንግሥተ ሰማያት
ኢዮር
ራማ
ኤረር

Wind Darkness The Seven heavens

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the Spirit of
Angels Light God moved upon the face of the waters.
 The Two Ways God Made Creation
1. Creation From Nonexistence to Existence 2. Creation by combining from existing creations
7 creations are made by this way. Thus are The rest 15 Creations are made by combining
the four element Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, the four elements Fire, Water,Earth,Wind.
Darkness, Light and Angels.

Characteristics of the four elements

Fire Fire Hot Dry Bright Up Intangible

Wind
Wind Hot Moist Dark Up Intangible
Water Cold Moist Bright Down Tangible
Earth Water
Earth Cold Dry Dark Down Tangible

God Creates the four elements Moist

According to his character

er
Fire - As Fire is powerful to burn and destroy all things

W
at

in
it symbolizes God's might.

d
Water -As water wash away dirt and make things Clean Cold Hot
It symbolizes God's purity.
Wind - As wind separate grains from chaff

Ea

e
rth
It symbolizes God's righteous judgment.

Fir
Earth - As Earth is strong to carry all the creatures on it,
it symbolizes God's Omnipotent nature. Dry
 Second day
And God said, Let there be a firmament
in the midst of the waters, and let it
divide the waters from the waters. And
God made the firmament, and divided
the waters which were under the firma-
ment from the waters which were above
the firmament: and it was so. And God
called the firmament Heaven. And the
evening and the morning were the
second day. Gen 1: 6-8

On the 2nd Day God made 1 Creation

The firmament
- Is made from water but it is firm
and strong as a glass. Hanos (the water above)
- It carries the water above.
- God created it in the shape dome. Tefer (The firmament)
- This is to make the sun and moon,
to be able to shine down to us in-
stead of upwards.
- Colored blue to let us think of our
heavenly lives as we look at the sky.

The deep waters below

The firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament
The firmament from the waters which were above the firmament.
 Third day
And God said, Let the waters under the
firmament be gathered together unto one
place, and let the dry land appear: and it
was so. And God called the dry land Earth;
and the gathering together of the waters
called he Seas: and God saw that it was
good. And God said, Let the earth bring
forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and
the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind,
whose seed is in itself, upon the earth:
and it was so. And the earth brought
forth grass, and herb yielding seed after
his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, And God said, Let the waters under the firmament be gathered together
whose seed was in itself, after his kind: unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
and God saw that it was good. And the
evening and the morning were the third
day. Gen 1: 9-13
On the 3rd Day God made 3 Creation

Vegetables, that can Trees, that can be cut

be plucked with fingers. with Axe.

And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed,
and the fruit tree yielding fruit af ter his kind, whose seed is in itself,
Cereals and Grasses Plants, that can be cut
with sickle. upon the earth.
 Fourth day
And God said, Let there be lights in the
firmament of the heaven to divide the
day from the night; and let them be for
signs, and for seasons, and for days, and
years. And let them be for lights in the
firmament of the heaven to give light
upon the earth and it was so. And God
made two great lights; the greater light
to rule the day, and the lesser light to Sun Moon Stars
rule the night he made the stars also.
And God set them in the firmament of Suns nature is from fire Moon and stars nature is from water
the heaven to give light upon the earth, and wind; as it is made of and wind, and, as they are made of
And to rule over the day and over the fire, it is hot. and as it is water, they cools. and as they are
night, and to divide the light from the made of wind, it is moves. made of wind, they move.
darkness and God saw that it was good.
And the evening and the morning were
the fourth day. Gen 1: 14-19

On the 4th Day God made 3 Creation

Until this day, the light and darkness

that were created on Sunday alter-
nated every 12 hours, day and night.
In the fourth day God sent the light to
the seven heavens and He gathered
the darkness into the Berbanos (Tar-
tarus). then he created three beings
that shine and place them in the fir-
mament. And these are for signs, and And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to
for seasons, and for days, and years. divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for sea-
sons, and for days, and years.
 Fifth day
And God said, Let the waters bring forth
abundantly the moving creature that
hath life, and fowl that may fly above the
earth in the open firmament of heaven.
And God created great whales, and every
living creature that moveth, which the
waters brought forth abundantly, af ter
their kind, and every winged fowl af ter
his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruit-
Animals live in water Animals which live both Waterbirds
ful, and multiply, and fill the waters in
Fish, whales, dolphins, in water and on land Ducks, geese,
the seas, and let fowl multiply in the
sharks. Frogs, toads, croco- swans
earth. And the evening and the morning
diles, turtles.
were the fif th day. Gen 1: 20-23

On the 5th Day God made 3 Creation.

The sea produce living creatures ac-

cording to their kinds:

1. Animals completely live in water.

2. Animals which can live both in
water and on land.
3. Waterbirds, birds that lives on or
around water.
The two great animals Behemoth and
Leviathan are created on this day.
God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature
that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firma-
ment of heaven.
 Sixth day
And God said, Let the earth bring forth the
living creature after his kind, cattle, and
creeping thing, and beast of the earth
af ter his kind: and it was so. And God
made the beast of the earth after his kind,
and cattle af ter their kind, and every thing
that creepeth upon the earth after his
kind: and God saw that it was good. And Beast of the earth Cattle and livestock Birds and fowls
God said, Let us make man in our image, Lion, Tiger, Bear, Fox, Ox, calf, sheep, goats, Eagle, Pigeons ,
af ter our likeness: and let them have do- monkeys, ... horses, donkeys, ... Doves, Parrots,
minion over the fish of the sea, and over
the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and
over all the earth, and over every creeping
thing that creepeth upon the earth. So
God created man in his own image, in the
image of God created he him; male and
female created he them. Gen 1: 24-28

On the 6th Day God made 4 Creation.

The land produce living creatures accord-

ing to their kinds:

1. Beast of the earth, wild animals.

2. Cattle and livestock animals.

3. Birds and fowls, birds lives on land.

4. Man with a living soul.

Man with a living soul
 Man is mad from seven natures,
Four elements of flesh and three elements of soul

The four elements of flesh in human.

Because of Fire, the body generates heat.
Because of Wind, it breath.
Because of Water, the body have blood and body fluids.
Because of Earth, the body have flesh and skeleton.

The three elements of soul in human.

Heart Word Breath of life

(Think) (Speak) (Living soul)

According Gods method of creation, All

creations can be grouped in three groups.

7 Creations are Made by Silence

Fire, Water , Wind , Earth ,
Darkness, The seven heavens, Angels

14 Creations are Made by Speaking

Light, The firmament,
3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th day creations

1 Creation is Made by Doing

Man

The 22 creations are what we have seen so

far. On the seventh day, God created all crea-
tures and rested from his work. So this day is
Sabbath.

It was God's good will that no physical works

should be done on this day so that the day Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
could be honored. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he
rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
 God placed all his creations in twenty worlds or realms.
These twenty worlds are divided into four. Thus are
Worlds of fire, worlds of water, worlds of earth, and worlds of wind.

There are nine fire worlds 1. Tsiriḥa Ariyam (The highest hall) 5. Iyor (Angelic city 1)
Their collective name is Koreb. 2. Menibere Menigisit (Throne room) 6. Rama (Angelic city 2)
3. Semayi Widud (Up most Heaven) 7. Erer (Angelic city 3)
4. Eyerusalem Semayait 8. Sea of Fire
(Heavenly Jerusalem) 9. Gehenna (hellfire)

There are five earth worlds 1. This Earth 4. Behre Hiyawan (Realm of the Living)
Their collective name is Dudaleb. 2. Genet (Paradise) 5. Behre Betsuan (Realm of the Blessed)
3. Seol

There are four water worlds 1. Hanos 3. Water surrounding our earth
Their collective name is Naggeb. 2. The Firmament 4. The deep waters below

There are two wind worlds 1. Babil

Their collective name is Azeeb. 2. The great wind
 There are nine fire worlds
Their collective name is Koreb.

1. Tsiriḥa Ariyam (The highest hall):-

- Found above all heavens,
- There is nothing above this heaven
- It resemble a tent,
- Its boundaries are known to no one except God.
- It is like a roof for Menibere Menigisit.

2. Menibere Menigisit (Throne room):-

- It is rectangular in shape,
- It is the heaven where God reveals Himself to the saints and angels in
any manner and form he desires.
- It is where the throne of God found.
- Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones are
twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns
of gold on their heads. (Ezekiel 1:4-75, Revelation 4:4)
- It has seven veils of fire; it is a Holy place where angels bow and grati-
fy God.
- Where the soul of dead people is judged.

3. Semayi Widud (Up most Heaven):-

- It is a base for Menibere Menigisit
- The four living creatures each having six wings, stand on the four cor-
ners and carrying this heaven. (Isa. 6:1, Ezek. 1:22–27, Rev. 4:2, Gen.
28:12-17, Isa. 6:1-2)
- Its boundary's are connected with Tsiriḥa Ariyam
 Tsiriḥa Ariyam Tsiriḥa Ariyam
(The highest hall) (The highest hall)

Menibere Menigisit
(Throne room)

The twenty four The twenty four

Elders Elders

Semayi Widud (Up most Heaven)

The four living The four living

Creatures Creatures
Eyerusalem Semayait
(Heavenly Jerusalem)
Ethiopian Church buildings are partitioned into three sections. This is done to replicate
the order of the heavens on earth.
መቅደስ Mekdes (holy of holy)፡- This is Where the ark is found, the ark is the throne of God.
ቅድስት Kidist ፡- Is the middle part of the churches, Priests burn incense during the holy liturgy.
ቅኔ ማህሌት kine mahlet፡- Is the outermost section, it is a space where clergy perform liturgical hymnody.

Tsiriḥa Ariyam Tsiriḥa Ariyam

(The highest hall) (The highest hall)

The twenty four The twenty four

Menibere Menigisit Elders
Elders
(Throne room)

Semayi Widud (Up most Heaven)

 4. Eyerusalem Semayait (Heavenly Jerusalem)
- It is rectangular in shape and have twelve gates.
- Within it is a tabernacle inscribed with the Ark of the Covenant,
adorned with the radiance of the Trinity.
- This is what the Apostle Paul describes as that which the eye has not
seen, nor the ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man, which God
has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Corinthians 2: 9-10).
- This is the same heavenly Jerusalem described by John (Rev. 21:2-3).
The names of the twelve apostles are inscribed on its walls, the names
of the twelve tribes of Israel on its pillars, and the names of the righ-
teous and martyrs on its columns.
- Now there is no one in Heavenly Jerusalem except Our Lady Mary.
- After final judgment this is the eternal place of rest of the righteous
Menibere Menigisit (Throne room)

Semayi Widud (Up most Heaven)

The four living The four living

Creatures Creatures

Eyerusalem Semayait
(Heavenly Jerusalem)
 The three angelic cities
- There are three angelic cities called Iyor, Rama, and Erer. From top to bottom,
- They are connected in this order: first Iyor; then Rama; then Erer.
- Their sizes are equal.
- The number of angels in these cities is known to no one but God. (Dan. 7:10).
- However, when we classify them by tribe, as st.epiphanius of Cyprus tells us, there are
100 sub tribes of angel which are divided into 10 main tribes. And Each group have
their own Archangel.

5. Tribes of angels in Iyor

There were 4 tribes of angel in Iyor city. Now they are 3 tribes

Agazezete Kirub Surafi Haylat

(Principalities) (Cherubim) (Seraphim) (Powers)
Their leader was Samayal Their leader is Cherub Their leader is Surafil Their leader is St Michael

Who is now the Devil. He They have four heads They are angels of They carry sword of fire
used to ascended the and four faces; their praise, who like dea- and stand before Holy
prayer of all the angels faces resemble a man's cons, strive and encour- Trinity. (Enoch.10:2-10).
before his deception. and a lion's. (Eze.1:6-7, age for prayer. Their
18-19). Their service is to face resembles an eagle
carry the throne of the and a cow. They have
Trinity, like priests six pairs of wings.
(Isa.6:2-3)
 6. Tribes of angels in Rama
There are 3 tribes of angel in Rama city.

Arebeb Menaberet Seletanat

(Dominions) (Virtues) (Authorities)
Their leader is St Gabriel. Their leader is St Raphael. Their leader is St Suryal.

They stand before the Trinity They serve in the form of They protect all creatures
like stewards and hosts. shields and swords men. and They are those who an-
Who cover the throne of Holy They fly eternally like wind, nounce the day of judgment.
Trinity with their holding lightning shields and And encourage the angels
wings.(Enoch 10:7-8, Luke fire swords for prayer and praise at all
1:19) times
7. Tribes of angels in Erer
There are 3 tribes of angel in Erer city.

Mekwanent Likanat Melaikt

(Nobles) (Scholars) (Angels)
Their leader is St Sedakiel. Their leader is St Salatael. Their leader is St Ananel.

They are the ones who They are companions of They are those who, like iron,
gather all the bones of the horses of the Trinity. withstand fire storms and
humans for resurrection at They are angels who pro- bring them to the earth, pro-
the time of the resurrection. tect animals. tecting the sun, moon, stars,
(Matt.24:31-42) seeds, plants, and vegeta-
tions.
- Following the fall of the Devil because of his pride, the number of his angelic tribes
decreased from 100 to 99, and the number of Archangels from 10 to 9.
- All the angels who did not fall with the Devil were placed under the leadership of
Saint Michael.
- Angels do not leave their places unless commanded by God. When commanded,
they ascend to the Tsiriḥa Ariyam (The highest hall) or descend to the depths of Ber-
banos (tartarus), in an instant.
- The heavens above are called the seven heavens.

Tsiriḥa The
Ariyam (Highest hall)

Menibere
Menigisit
(Throne room)
Semayi Widud (Up most Heaven)

Eyerusalem Semayawit (Heavenly Jerusalem)

Agazezete (Principalities) kirub (Cherubim) Iyor

Iyor Surafi (Seraphim) Haylat (Powers)
Their leader was Samayal Their leader is Cherub Their leader is Surafil Their leader is St Michael

Arebeb (Dominions) Rama

Rama Menaberet (Virtues) Rama
Rama Seletanat (Authorities)
Their leader is St Gabriel Their leader is St Raphael Their leader is St Suryal

Mekwanent (Nobles) Likanat (Scholars) Melaikt (Angels)

Erer
Erer Erer
Erer
Their leader is St Sedakiel Their leader is St Salatael Their leader is St Ananel

Hanos (Water above the Firmament)

8. Sea of Fire: Sea of Fire is located between the firmament and the
water above the firmament.
- Its size is such that this world;
- It is like a chasm. A narrow path, like a width of hair, runs through its Midst.
- This is where the souls of the righteous and the wicked must pass to stand
before God for judgment, after death.
After death journey of Righteous and Sinner person souls
Righteous person:- death....Crossing sea of fire....Stand before God for judgment,
4 days in heavenly Jerusalem....3 Day in Gehenna....Paradise.
Sinner person:- death....Crossing sea of fire....Stand before God for judgment,
7 Days in heavenly Jerusalem....seol.
9. Gehenna (hellfire): Originally, Gehenna was
prepared for the Devil and his followers, the demons.
After this world passes, on the final day of judgment this
is the eternal place of punishment and suffer for the
souls of wicked people who are now temporarily at
Seol.
There are four water worlds, and their common name
is Naggeb.

1. Hanos(water above the Firmament):- 1/3 Water above

- It is 1/3 water.
- This water cools down the firmament. If there is no water cool-
1/3 Water in middle
ing the firmament, the firmament will crack and fall from the
intense heat from the sun.
1/3 Water below
2. The Firmament:-
- It is made from water but it is firm and strong as a glass.
- It is like a roof for earth that carries the water above.
God created it in the shape dome.
- This is to make the sun and moon, to be able to shine down to
us instead of upwards;
- It is colored blue to give hope to our eyes and redemption to
our bodies, that is, to let us think of our heavenly lives as we
look at the sky.

3. Water surrounding our earth:-

On 3rd day , God said, "Let the water below gather in one
place, and let the dry land appear." This water is now located
between the Admas (Foundations of Heaven) and the Naggeb
mountain, this is where Leviathan lives. 1

2 2
4. The deep waters below.
- It is 1/3 water.
3 3

4
 Hanos Hanos
(Water above the Firmament) (Water above the Firmament)
Sea of Fire

Firmament / Sky

The six gates

of Sun and Moon The six gates
of Sun and Moon
Firmament / Sky

Firmament Firmament
Sky Sky

Earth Earth Water

Water
surrounding
surrounding
our earth
our earth

Admas Admas
(Foundations (Foundations
of Heaven) of Heaven)

The deep waters below

 How Day and Night occur Sun ፣ Moon ፣ Stars and
Planets(wandering stars)
Since the earth has a firm foundation, it does not move or The sun is active during the
rotate. Day and night alternate due to the cycle that the day, and its light is seven
sun and moon undergo in the firmament. This occurs be- times brighter than the
cause the sun is much smaller than the earth and is lo- moon's (Enoch 21:56). Sun
cated relatively close to earth. Thus, its light reaches has its own wind-driven path in the fir-
only a specific portion of the earth. The part of the earth mament (Enoch 5:20). The sun takes 24
that the sun illuminates becomes day, and the other part hours to circle the earth.
of the earth becomes night. As the sun continues circling
around the earth, the part of the earth that was experi- The moon has its own light,
encing day become night as the sun moves away, and and it doesn't reflect the
the part that was night becomes day as the sun arrives. sun's light (Enoch 21:56).
The moon and sun are
equal in size (Enoch 21:57). It takes 24
hours and 51 minutes to circles the
Earth. Its cycle ends in 29 days, 12
hours, and 44 minutes.

All the stars, as a whole,

orbit the earth like the sun
and moon do. It takes them
23 hours and 56 minutes to
Sirius
circle the earth. Planets are
also stars but have their own unique
movements. The Greeks called these
stars with their own unique movements
"planets" or (astēr planētēs), meaning
"wandering stars". Five of them are
identifiable.
 How seasons occur
One day means that the sun completes its journey along a
red circle. But the circle isn't fixed. The path the sun trav-
els today will change tomorrow. It will gradually become
narrower or wider. If we observe the sun's path over a
year, it starts from a narrow inner circle, progressively
widens its path, passes through a middle-sized circle, and
finally reaches a wide circle. This entire process takes 6
months. It then takes another 6 months to return to the ini-
tial narrow inner circle. This movement of the sun causes
the changing seasons. It starts from the wide circle and
reaches the narrow circle within 6
- When the sun moves from the narrow circle to the middle
months.
circle, winter occurs.
- When the sun moves from the middle circle to the wide
circle, autumn occurs.
- When the sun moves from the wide circle to the middle
circle, summer occurs.
- When the sun moves from the middle circle to the narrow
circle, spring occurs.

The sun travels from the narrow circle

to the wide circle within 6 months.
 The Six Gates of the Sun The 4 seasons (Book of Enoch Chapter 82)
Detailed information on the Winter Season (Jun 26 - Sept 25)

1
changing seasons can be found in The season is created When the sun travels

4 3 2
Book of Enoch, Chapter 72. This from the 1st to the 3rd gate.
book describes that the sun Governing star: Hel'emmelek
passes through six gates during its Character: Water (Cold and Moist)

6 5
yearly cycle. It takes 30 days for June 26: The longest day and shortest night
the sun to pass through each of of the year.
these gates. A season is created
when the sun passes through three Autumn Season (Sept 26 - Dec 25)

1
gates, which amounts to 91 days. The season is created When the sun travels

4 3 2
This cycle also affects the length from the 4th to the 6th gate.
of days and nights. Governing star: Berechiel
Character: Wind (Hot and Moist)

6 5
t te

September 26: Day and night are equal. This

d te

e
h te
h te
d te

1s Ga
at
2n Ga
5t Ga
4t Ga
3r Ga

is known as the Autumnal Equinox.

G
h
6t

Summer Season (Dec 26 - Mar 25)

1
The season is created When the sun travels

4 3 2
from the 6th to the 4th gate.
Governing star: Narel
Character: Fire (Hot and Dry)

6 5
December 26: The shortest day and longest
night of the year.

Spring Season (Mar 26 - Jun 25)

1

The season is created When the sun travels

4 3 2

from the 3rd to the 1st gate.

Governing star: Milki'el
Character: Earth (Cold and Dry)
6 5

March 26: Day and night are equal. This is

The six gates of the Sun
known as the Spring Equinox.
 There are five earth worlds, and their common
name is Dudaleb.

1. This Earth:
- After the land is separated from water and drying up on the
Third Day, became the place of habitation/dwelling/resi-
dence. - Righteous and sinners, the oppressors and the op-
pressed, the killers and the saints, live on this earth.
- Everyone who goes to Paradise, the Realm of the Living, the
Realm of the Blessed, and Seol goes from this earth.

2. Genet (Paradise):
- Paradise is located east of this earth, higher up.
- It is a place for people, lived virtuously throughout their lives,
obeyed God and served him faithfully.
- It is a temporary place of rest for the souls of the righteous
Until the day of resurrection.
- After resurrection they will be given new bodies and move to
the most magnificent great city heavenly Jerusalem.

3. Seol:
- Seol is located west of this earth. Down below.
- It is a temporary place for sinner souls.
- A Christian person can be put into Seol because of his sinful
life. But after some time, saints and angels pray for him and by
the will of God, they are sent to Seol to bring the soul out and
place him in paradise.
- But the souls of the unbeliever will suffer in Seol until the day
of judgment.
- After final judgment, they will move to the extremely terrify-
ing hellfire Gehenna(hellfire).
4. Behre Hiyawan (Realm of the Living):
- The Realm of the Living is located north of this earth, higher up.
- They are saints taken away from this earth by God's will. They
are not dead they have a physical body.
- The people who live there live in purity and holiness.
- All the saints who live in the Realm of the Living do not give
birth, do not die, do not marry, do not engage in sexual relations,
do not eat, and do not drink; they praise God, like angels.
- Among them are Enoch, Elijah, Saint John the Apostle, Saint
Yared, Abuna Aregawi.
- They will come to this earth in the time of the anti-Christ and
became Martyrs

5. Behre Betsuan (Realm of the Blessed):

- The Realm of the Blessed is located south of this earth, higher
up.
- They are Departed from Earth in the Old Testament at the time of
prophet Jeremiah.
- The people who live there do not wear clothes. Instead, they
wear the garments of light that Christ has given them.
- Men and women live separately but meet at the time of mar-
riage. They gave birth to three children: 2 boys and 1 girl
The 1st boy will be given to serve God, and the other children
Will get married.
- They live 1000 years each
- Jesus Christ visited them Among the saints, Saint Zosimus the
land of Palestine and the evangelist Saint Matthew. Also visit
Behre Betsuan.
 Hanos (Water above the Firmament)
Bright
Sea of Fire
Genet
(Paradise)
Firmament / Sky

Behre Hiyawan
Realm of
(The Living)
Firmament Genet (Paradise) Firmament
Sky Sky

Behre Betsuan Behre Hiyawan

Realm of (Realm of the Living) Behre Betsuan
(Realm of the Blessed)
(The Blessed)

Earth Earth
This world

Seol
Admas
(Foundations Admas
Of Heaven) (Foundations
Of Heaven)
The deep Seol The deep
Berbanos Waters below Waters below
(tartarus)

Dark Gehenna (hellfire) Gehenna (hellfire)

 Hanos
Hanos Hanos
Hanos
There are two wind Water
Water above
(The
above
(The Firmament)
Firmament) Sea of Fire
Water
Water above
(The
above
(The Firmament)
Firmament)
worlds, and their
common name is Azeeb. Babil
Babil wind
wind Firmament / Sky Babil
Babil wind
wind

1. Babil is a calm wind found

in between the firmament and
hanos (the water above)
Firmament Firmament
Sky Sky
2. The Great wind
- It is the wind that carries all The 12 windows
Of Fire and Wind
worlds above Berbanos. The 12 windows
Of Fire and Wind
- This wind is divided into 12.
- Four are called the winds of
mercy, and eight are called
the winds of wrath.
- The four winds of mercy serve
the creatures of this world,
while the eight winds of wrath Admas
Admas
are those that overturn the (Foundations
Of Heaven) (Foundations
earth when God is angry and Of Heaven)

destroy all worlds on the Day

of Judgment.
Gehenna (hellfire) Gehenna (hellfire)
There are 24 openings through
which fire and winds enter the earth.
The Great wind
12 Are for fire and 12 for wind. These
are located 3 in the north, 3 in the
south, 3 in the east, and 3 in the
west. Berbanos (tartarus)
The lowest utter darkness
 Gravitational forces Lightest
Water Earth

- All creations are made from four qualities.

There is no creature that isn't made from these
four qualities.

- These four qualities have their own gravita-

tional forces.

- Fire and wind are light; if nothing holds them

down, they would rise up to the heavens.

- Water and earth are heavy; if nothing holds

them back, they would descend to the lower- Wind Fire Heaviest
most part of the world Berbanos (tartarus)

- Thus, God, when creating the world, placed When boiling water,
fire and wind below, and water and earth The water gets more
above, so they balance each other. Fire qualities this
makes it to rise up in
- The quantity of the four qualities within one the form of evapora-
body can causes it to rise or fall. If a substance tion after the water
has more fire and wind qualities, it will float lost its fire quality it
upwards; if it has more water and earth quali- will return to its origi-
ties, it will fall downwards. nal water quality
which makes it fall
down
 Behemoth and Leviathan

God created Behemoth as the greatest of

creatures on earth, and Leviathan as the
greatest of sea creatures. They were cre-
ated on 5th day. Their arrangement is
around the earth. If one were to ask how
this world exists in relation to Behemoths
and Leviathan, Behemoths are on the right,
on the land, and Leviathan is on the left,
around the sea. If this world is like a waist,
they are like belt, if this world is like a
finger. They are like ring, These are the
magnificent beasts that the righteous
saints see. Abuna Zer'abruk is among the
saints who saw these beasts.

What do these creatures eat? Behemoths,

excluding humans, eat from the terrestrial
creatures by the thousands; they consume
this and praise their Creator while living in
the wilderness. Leviathan eats from the
sea creatures by the thousands; she con-
sumes this and praises her Creator while
living in the sea. (Enoch 16, 13-14) (Isaiah
27, 1-2) (Ezra Sut 4, 49-53) (Job 40:16) Abuna Zer'abruk Visiting Behemoth and Leviathan
And counting their tooth.
 Admas and Nagéb Admas
Mountain
The
Firmament
Nagéb
God, when He created the earth where we Mountain
Behemoth
Lives
humans live, He surrounded it with ice, then fire, and Ice Fire
after that, with a mountain called Nagéb. Nagéb is not Humans Leviathan
Live Lives
as high as the sky. After Nagéb mountain there is vast
expanse the Ocean where Leviathan lives. On the
other side of the land, He shaped the earth like iron,
hardened it, and lifted it up. This is what He called the
Admas, Foundations of Heaven. He then made the fir-
mament stretch down onto the Admas.

Leviathan
Behemoth
 1 1

The twenty worlds 2

3 3

4 4
Tsiriḥa Ariyam (The highest hall) .1 18. Hanos
5
Menibere Menigisit (Throne room) .2 6 7 8 9 (Water above Firmament)
Semayi Widud (Up most Heaven) .3 19. Sea of Fire
11 10 12 10 13
Eyerusalem Semayawit .4 20. Babil wind
(Heavenly Jerusalem) 15 14 16 14 17 21. Firmament / Sky
Iyor (Angelic city) .5 22. Sun
Agazezete (Principalities) .6 18 23. Moon
Their leader was Samayal 19
24. Stars
20 20
Kirub (Cherubim) .7 25. The six gates of Sun and Moon
Their leader is Cherub 21 26. Genet (Paradise)
Surafi (Seraphim) .8 23 22 27. Behre Hiyawan
24 24
Their leader is Surafil (Realm of the Living)
Haylat (Powers) .9 28. Behre Betsuan
Their leader is St Michael 25
26
25
(Realm of the Blessed)
Rama (Angelic city) .10 29. The 12 windows of
27
Arebeb (Dominions) .11 28 Fire and Wind
21 21
Their leader is St Gabriel 30. Earth
29 29
Menaberet (Virtues) .12 31. Seol
33
Their leader is St Raphael 34 32. Wall of Ice
30 32
Seletanat (Authorities) .13 35
30 35 33. Ring of Fire
Their leader is St Suryal 36 36
34. Naggeb mountain
37
Erer (Angelic city) .14 38 35. Water surrounding our earth
Mekwanent (Nobles) .15 36. Admas (Foundations of Heaven)
Their leader is St Sedakiel 39 39 37. Leviathan
Likanat (Scholars) .16 31 38. Behemoth
40 40
Their leader is St Salatael 39. Foundations of earth
Melaikt (Angels) .17 41 41 40. The deep waters below
Their leader is St Ananel 41. Gehenna (hellfire)
42. The Great wind
42 43. Berbanos (tartarus)

43
 The World as an Egg
God created the heavens and the earth, ev-
erything visible and invisible, and governs
them. All his creation is in His palm. This is re-
vealed in Nicene Creed prayer of faith and
various religious prayers books in our Church.
To express this idea, when a painting of the
Holy Trinity is created, a round object is de-
picted as held in their hands. This round object
represents the world. This refers to God holding
in His palm the twenty worlds, from the The
highest hall (Tsiriha Ariyam ) to the lowest utter
darkness Berbanos (tartarus) and thus, twenty
worlds overall shape is egg-shaped.
 አመሠግናለሁ!
Thank you
Reference
- Ethiopian Tewahedo Holy Bible.
- Ethiopic Book of Enoch.
- Book of jubilees.
- Book of Aksimaros by st Epiphanius.
- The Book of the Mysteries of the
Heavens and the Earth.
- Book of Sena fetrat.
- Various Act Book of saints (Act of Abuna
Tekle haymanot, Act of Abuna Zer'abruk,
Binyam Girma (Hailemariam)
Act of Sain Zosimas , Act of Saint Yared,
Dec 2024 GC
Act of Abuna Aregawi).
- Various prayer books used in the church. [email protected]