Page 125 - LD215 History of the Church in Africa A4 final

The Middle Ages

seared or branded on the face with a hot iron, who are to be seen
almost over all Europe, and especially at Rome. These people
have an Emperor, which they call Prete Gianni, the greater part
of the land being inhabited by Christians. However, there is also
a certain Mohamedan among them, which is said to possess a
great dominion.” (139)

The legend of Prester John kept alive a certain mystique about Africa
for centuries. It is possible that contacts with Ethiopians contributed a
combination of facts and fiction to the legend. At any rate, this legend
motivated European explorers to locate the Christian kingdom, for they
were certain that it would add strength to Christendom at large.

Ethiopia in the Middle Ages

In Ethiopia during the early Middle Ages—from the seventh to the
ninth centuries—Oliver and Page note that “bishops were consecrated
in Cairo, and Ethiopian pilgrims, thousands at a time, marched through
Egypt on visits to the Holy Land, with drums beating and flags flying”
(quoted in Shaw 1996, 99). As noted previously, Christianity flourished
along the Nile Corridor during this period.

During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, two dynasties ruled
Ethiopia: The Zagwe and Solomonides. King Lalibela of the Zagwe built
a new capital that was later named after him. He was deeply religious
and was said to have a revelation about building a New Jerusalem,
which was to exalt Christ, the New Testament, and the Apocrypha.
Sundkler asserts:

To that end seven churches were cut out of the red volcanic tuff
of the mountain, with an Ethiopian River Jordan in their midst, all
inspired by a single vision. These temples, many not visible above
ground, were clustered together, and are breathtakingly beautiful
as well as affording proof of dedication, skill, and ingenuity. (38)

The church in Ethiopia was being changed from a Coptic church to
an indigenous Ethiopian church. In approximately A.D. 1270, Yekunno-
Amlak came to power, restored the Solomonic lineage, and claimed
territory that had been lost to the Muslims.

::: 115 :::