ABYSSINIAN or ETHIOPIAN CHURCH. The early Church is said to have been founded, as a branch of the Christian Church, in A.D. 330 by Frumentius of Egypt or Phoenicia. In any case, a form of Christianity (Monophysite), in connection with Alexandria, was es tablished in Abyssinia by the end of the sixth century. In the seventh century the country was practically isolated through the Mohammedan conquest of Egypt. Partly in consequence of this isolation, the Church has preserved a number of peculiar observances. The Jewish Sabbath is observed as well as the Christian Sunday. Circumcision is practised (though perhaps only for sanitary reasons), and certain foods are abstained from The Books of Enoch and jubilees (see APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE) are included in the sacred writings. The Virgin is worshipped, prayer is made to the saints, and great merit is attached to asceticism and monas ticism. Some of these practices and observances seem to be due partly to Jewish influence, partly to an early connection with or migration from South Arabia. In 1540 the Abyssinians sought the help of the Portuguese against a threatened invasion by Mohammedans. Troops were sent, and the Invaders were routed. The Pope
then sought to convert the Abyssinians, and to effect this Jesuit missionaries laboured amongst the people. At length, after rebellion and bloodshed, proclamation of the Roman Catholic religion was made (1603). In 1632, however, perhaps in consequence of an attempt to abolish circumcision, the Jesuits were expelled, and the old Church was re-established. Since 1838 Roman Catholic missionaries have again worked In the country. Protestant missions have also been tried. Clerics are ordained by the Aboun (or Abouna), the head of the Church, an Egyptian monk nominated by the Alexan drian patriarch. His see, the centre of the Abyssinian Church, is at Axum. There are also such officials as a temporal head (Etchigeh), a head of the priesthood (Nebrid), and an ecclesiastical judge (Elf Kancat). The clergy are divided into priests, monks, and unordained clerks (defteras). The latter dance and sing in pro cessions. There are a great many feast-days and fast days. Paintings are hung in the Churches, and the cross is venerated. See Prot. Dict.; Cath. Diet.