Introduction to the Doctrines of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church – Part II

Exploring the Foundations of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Faith

Introduction to the Doctrines of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church – Part II

The five pillars (Aimad/አዕማድ) of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church are the foundation of faith. Like pillars that support a house, they uphold the believer’s life, guiding the heart toward God, the Trinity, and eternal life. Known as mysteries, they reveal divine truths beyond the reach of physical senses, inviting the faithful to learn with devotion and discernment. This second part of the essay explores the meaning, implication, and spiritual purpose of these five pillars, showing how they strengthen the believer, protect against heresy, and lead to a life rooted in divine truth.

What does Aimad /አዕማድ/ Pillars mean?

Since the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo faith is rooted in the Geʿez language, many ecclesiastical terms used in the Church are of Geʿez origin. The word "Aimad/አዕማድ" derives from the Geʿez "Amd/አምድ," where "Amd/አምድ" is singular and "Aimad/አዕማድ" is plural. Literally, a pillar refers to a structural support of a house. In the same way, the five pillars of the Orthodox Tewahedo faith are so named because they support, sustain, and stabilize the faith. The term "Amd/አምድ" is also used in writing, referring to a column or a measured division of a page for reading. According to this final definition, Amd/አምድ serves as a guiding framework, helping the faithful approach divine mysteries—especially the Trinity—without over-examination or speculative inquiry beyond what has been revealed.

A pillar is called a pillar because it prevents a house from swaying or leaning to one side; it preserves balance and proportion. A house built with a pillar stands firm, whereas a house without a pillar collapses and cannot endure. In the same way, faith is summarized and explained through the mysteries of these pillars, and believers remain committed by learning and embracing them. Likewise, a person who possesses the mysteries known as the pillars of our Holy Church will have a heart firmly established in the love of God and in the hope of the Kingdom of Heaven. Conversely, one who lacks these five beliefs will not have a heart grounded in the love of God or in the hope of the Kingdom of Heaven.

According to Church scholars, a person who carefully knows the five pillars of the mysteries will not be overwhelmed by the waves of heresy (ኑፋቄ), nor will he be shaken in his faith. Even when various hardships arise in life, he will be strengthened through these teachings. One who does not know these pillars cannot confidently claim to be a believer of the Orthodox Tewahedo faith. Therefore, it is necessary to know them well.

Why are they called mysteries?

The Holy Church calls the five pillars “mysteries.” The word "mystery" comes from the verb "made concealed" / አመሠጠረ, meaning "hidden," "covered," or "secret." Mysteries are traditionally divided into two categories: first, the mystery of the Creator—unrevealable (ሊገለጥ የማይችል) and without beginning or end (ከእስከ የሌለው ምሥጢር); and second, the mystery of creatures—revealed in time (በጊዜ የሚገለጥ /የሚታወቅ), namely the mystery of humans and angels (የሰውና የመላእክት ምሥጢር).

Church scholars (ሊቃውንተ ቤተክርስቲያን) explain that the five pillars are called mysteries because they are not realities one accepts only by seeing with the eyes or touching with the hands. Rather, they are learned through teaching, studied with the heart, and received in faith (The Faith of the Fathers / ሃይማኖተ አበው, Zeathanatios 14:39; 1 Cor. 14:19; 1 Sam. 17:40). Since God is spirit, His teachings and knowledge cannot be grasped by the physical senses but only by the spiritual mind. For this reason, the pillars of the mysteries, which are God’s teachings, are rightly called “mysteries.”

The specific reasons why the five pillars are called mysteries are explained in the following three points.

First, because they are teachings concerning the unseen and invisible God. They are profound spiritual teachings that proclaim the oneness and threeness of God; that one of the three Persons (ከሦስቱ አካላት አንዱ) became man; that Christ is born of God by the Spirit; that believers partake of the flesh and blood of God, who became man, to live forever in the Kingdom of God; and finally, that humanity will be resurrected (ከሙታን መነሳት) to eternal life or eternal death in a new, incorruptible body.

Second, because these teachings cannot be understood through physical wisdom. They are not presented, read, or studied like ordinary worldly knowledge, nor are they supported by material or physical evidence. Rather, they are spoken and taught by those who convey them from a spiritual heart with true devotion, and they are received by those who listen and learn with a spiritual heart and a sincere desire for God.

Third: because the Church teaches these mysteries only to believers. They are not revealed to unbelievers; to believers, however, they become the “incorruptible jewel— የማይጠፋ እንቁ” cherished (የተወደደ) and precious, once the heart is opened to true spiritual knowledge and understands it in its perfect light (Matt. 7:6).

“እርሱም መልሶ እንዲህ አላቸው፦ ለእናንተ የመንግሥተ ሰማያትን ምሥጢር ማወቅ ተሰጥቶአችኋል፥ ለእነርሱ ግን አልተሰጣቸውም።” (Matt. 13:11)

Conclusion

The five pillars of the mysteries are not merely teachings to be known but divine foundations to be lived. Through them, the believer’s faith is stabilized (መርጋት), the mind is guarded from heresy (ምንፍቅና), and the heart is firmly rooted in the love of God and the hope of the Kingdom of Heaven (ተስፋ መንግስተ ሰማያት). Received with faith and humility, these mysteries shape a life grounded in divine truth and direct believers toward eternal communion with God.

The third part of the essay will further explore the introduction to the doctrines of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.