Issue #1
Nov. 2nd 2000
The apostle John wrote the Revelation, which he believes "God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place"-Rev.1:1. In it he states,"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."-Rev.1:3. This was two thousand years ago.
Seventy years ago on this day (November 2nd) the United States Minister to Ethiopia wrote the following article for the National Geographic while in Addis Ababa. I have appended the Revelations of John to make clear to you, the magnanimous significance of this historical occasion as witnessed by the U.S. Ambassador . Read, ponder, and absorb, for it is said that in the beginning was the word and the word was given life in the flesh. Hail the Lion of Judah, and behold the face of God with the eyes of an Ethiopian. These are our ROOTS and Ethiopia shall forever be our ARK.
"We are ready to start officially for the coronation of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie the First, King of Kings of Ethiopia, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. A typically sharp, blue Ethiopian morning has just dawned....
I take my official seat in the great Cathedral hall between two gaunt and venerable cheiftains...
I look immediately over the head of Italy's prince.. Facing me across the open space before the twin thrones is a row of imposingly large and gilded chairs. The first seat holds a prince of England.. Next to him sits a prince of the ancient and royal line of Solomon; then a marshal of France; a king of Tigre, an ambassador of Belgium, and so on.
Great and representative men from the Occident and from the Orient; bearded feudal chieftains from the north, the south, the east, and the west of this ancient Empire of Ethiopia- Chirstians and Muslims and many others, all are gathered for the coronation of a new emperor on this second day of November A.D. 1930 (the Ethiopian date of Tekemt 23rd, 1923)- modern civilization cheek by jowl with medievalism. "....and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation..."-Rev.5:9
The studded doors of the Holy of Holies open ponderously. Through them rolls in giant and stirring hum, the seemingly far-off chant of hundreds of priests, probably exactly as it would have sounded on an Ethiopian coronation day a thousand and more years ago. ...."And they sang a new song..."-Rev.5:9
The Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and his Empress have just completed a night of prayer and devotion at the most holy altar within. Preceded by waving incense-burners, His Majesty enters now the main part of the Cathedral and takes his throne. ...."And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?'..."-Rev.5:2
The thrilling but solemn silence gently breaks to the throaty voice of His Holiness the Abuna Kyrillos:
'Ye princes and ministers, ye nobles and chiefs of the army, ye soldiers and people of Ethiopia, and ye doctors and chiefs of the clergy, ye professors and priests, look ye upon our Emperor Haile Selassie the First, descended from the dynasty of Menelik the First, who was born of Solomon and of the Queen of Sheba, a dynasty perpetuated without interruption from that time to King Sehale Selassie and to our times.' ...."Then one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed..."-Rev.5:5
For five hours then we witness the unfolding of the ancient and traditional Hebraic-Christian ceremony of the crowning of a ruler of the Empire of Ethiopia. Forty-nine bishops and priests of this ancient Christian country, in groups of seven, have held place for seven days and nights in the seven corners of this national Cathedral to chant without ceasing nine Psalms of David. They are now joined by hundreds more. The established Coptic Church is revered and all-powerful in Ethiopia. This is a day when it may and does, show its impressive might and splendor. ...."You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on Earth'..."-Rev.5:10
The Emperor, whose name may be angelized as Power of the Trinity, is vested first with his sword of gold studded wiith precious stones. Chanting and prayers to the God of Gods rise from a multitude of priestly throats and reverberate from the lofty ceiling of the Cathedral.
Bestowals of the imperial scepter of ivory and gold and a golden globe of the earth follow.
The diamond encrusted ring, the two traditional lances filigreed in gold, and the imperial vestments are all bestowed in turn with appropriate and lengthy ceremony. Seventh and last comes the magnificent crown.
Seven different scented ointments of ancient prescription are received on the imperial head, brow, and shoulders- one with each of these seven ornaments of the coronation. ..."Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals..."-Rev.5:1
After the completion of the coronation ceremonies for the Emperor, the Empress enters and takes her throne. She is crowned with less elaborate but always impressive rites, conducted also by the archbishop, his bishops, and his priests. The final ceremony is a grand tour of the Cathedral by Their Imperial Majesties. They are escorted by the bishops and priests, the princes and high dignitaries, assistants, and others, carrying palm branches and chanting in mighty volume, 'Blessed be the King of Israel.'...."You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals..."-Rev.5:9
Shortly after noon the cannons boom. There is the fanfare of a thousand trumpets. The triumphant ululation of tens of thousands of waiting women is released in waves over the city of the 'New Flower'." - from The National Geographic, March 1931- Modern Ethiopia, Haile Selassie the First, Formerly Ras Tafari, Succeeds to the World's Oldest Continuously Sovereign Throne ...by Addison E. Southard, United States Minister to Ethiopia.
ETHIOPIA TIMES Vol.1
