09/09/2025
The Orthodox Tewahedo biblical canon is a version of the Christian Bible used in the two Oriental Orthodox Churches of the Ethiopian and Eritrean traditions: the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Written in Geʽez (Classical Ethiopic), is regarded as the oldest and most complete Bible in existence. Dating back as early as the 4th century CE, these manuscripts predate many Western biblical traditions and remain central to the liturgy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
Unlike the Western canon of 66 books, the Tewahedo Bible contains 81 books, including texts such as Enoch and Jubilees, which are absent from most other Christian traditions. This expanded canon reflects Ethiopia’s unique place in the history of Christianity the nation formally adopted the faith in the 4th century, making it one of the first Christian states in the world.
The manuscripts themselves are extraordinary cultural artifacts: hand-written on parchment, bound between wooden covers, and richly illuminated with vibrant iconography. Their survival is a testament to the enduring scholarship, artistry, and theological depth of Ethiopia’s monastic communities.
For scholars, the Tewahedo Bible offers invaluable insights into early Christianity, the development of biblical canons, and Africa’s central role in preserving sacred texts.
🔖 Did you know? The Book of Enoch, lost in most traditions, was preserved only in Ethiopia until its rediscovery.
Inspo via Old Africa on tt
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