Our Church
Faith, mission and spiritual heritage
Learn about our mission and the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo faith that guides our worship and community life.
Our Mission
Spreading Christianity and strengthening faith
Our mission is to advance and spread the Christian faith in accordance with the teaching, worship and traditions of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
We aim to create a strong spiritual foundation for children and young people growing up within Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church communities in Birmingham, throughout the United Kingdom and across the wider world.
We work to bridge the gap between young people and the Church by sharing the Word of God throughout the diaspora through prayer, worship, workshops, conferences, seminars, education and the responsible use of social media. Through these activities, we seek to nurture faith, encourage Christian values and help future generations remain connected to their Church, identity and community.
Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Faith
The Five Pillars of Mystery
The Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church teaches five foundational mysteries that express and strengthen the Christian faith. They are called the Five Pillars of Mystery because, like pillars supporting a roof, they uphold the Church's teaching and guide the faithful in understanding the Orthodox Tewahedo Creed.
The Mystery of the Incarnation
The Mystery of the Incarnation teaches that God the Son, one of the Holy Trinity, descended from heaven and took human flesh and a rational soul from the Holy Virgin Mary. As the Bible declares, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Jesus Christ is fully divine and fully human, united without change, confusion, separation or division.
Through the Incarnation, life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, humanity is offered forgiveness, redemption and salvation. Christ died on the Cross, defeated death through His Resurrection, taught His disciples and ascended into heaven. The Church therefore confesses Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the World and honours the Holy Virgin Mary as the true Mother of God.
References: The Holy Bible and Faith of the Fathers, including the teachings of St John Chrysostom, St Cyril and St Gregory of Nazianzus.