Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopia (Axum/Aksum) – Legend, Church, and Location
Learn why many Ethiopians believe the Ark of the Covenant is in Axum/Aksum, how St Mary of Zion church became linked to the Ark, and what Ethiopian Orthodox tradition teaches today.
- • Ethiopian Orthodox tradition says the Ark is kept in Axum/Aksum at St Mary of Zion church.
- • A guarded Chapel of the Tablet inside the compound is believed to house the Ark.
- • Every Ethiopian Orthodox church has a tabot, a sacred replica of the Ark.
- • The Kebra Nagast legend links the Ark to King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba and Menelik I.
- • Pilgrims and tourists can visit Axum but cannot view the Ark itself.
Location
Chapel of the Tablet, Axum
Sacred Site
St. Mary of Zion Church
Tradition
Linked to biblical times
Status
Axum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Ark holds a unique place in Ethiopian heritage. In Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, the biblical Ark (a gold-covered chest said to contain the Ten Commandments) was brought to Ethiopia long ago and is believed to be kept today in the holy city of Axum (Aksum), near St Mary of Zion.
The story blends faith, legend, identity, and pilgrimage travel. It also resonates with diaspora communities reconnecting with their roots.
In the Bible, the Ark of the Covenant is described as the most sacred object of the Israelites — a gilded wooden box (often described as a chest) associated with the stone Tablets of the Law. It symbolised God's presence and accompanied the Israelites in their journey. In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, this symbolism remains central today.
The Tabot Tradition
Every Ethiopian Orthodox altar houses a Tabot, a sacred replica of the Ark of the Covenant that represents the presence of God. The tabot is a small inscribed tablet (often of wood or stone) kept in the church's inner sanctum (Holy of Holies), wrapped in rich cloth and hidden from public view.
- Only priests may handle or see a tabot
- Each church must have one to be consecrated
- During festivals, tabots are reverently paraded outside
The Ark is thus not an artifact of the past in Ethiopia, but a living symbol of faith, central to church rituals and theology. During important services and festivals, these tabots are reverently paraded outside, echoing the biblical procession of the Ark – a vivid reminder of how deeply the Ark's symbolism is woven into Ethiopian worship life.
The Ethiopian claim to possess the Ark originates from a rich medieval epic called the Kebra Nagast ("Glory of Kings"). This 14th-century text recounts how the Queen of Sheba (Makeda of Ethiopia) visited King Solomon in Jerusalem, and how their union produced a son, Menelik I.
The Royal Journey
Prince Menelik was raised in Ethiopia but traveled to meet his father Solomon as a young man. Upon returning home, Menelik and his companions brought the Ark of the Covenant with them – an event portrayed not as theft but as an act of divine providence.
Ethiopia as New Zion
The Kebra Nagast explains that a replica was left in Solomon's Temple and that God willed the Ark's relocation to Ethiopia. When Menelik arrived in Axum with the sacred chest, Ethiopia was established as a new Zion.
According to Ethiopian tradition (embraced by the Orthodox Church and also by the Beta Israel Jewish community), this occurred during Solomon's reign. Belief in this legend has been passed down through centuries and is deeply ingrained in Ethiopian Christian consciousness. While outside historians view the tale as apocryphal or symbolic, many Ethiopians take pride in it as historical truth.
Historical Note: The Kebra Nagast, compiled from earlier oral traditions, was instrumental in linking Ethiopia's monarchy to biblical lineage. It provided a sacred narrative that Ethiopia became the guardian of the Ark – a distinction that elevates the country's status in salvation history.
Over the ages, the Ark tradition has become a powerful symbol of Ethiopian national identity. Emperors of Ethiopia, including the modern-era Solomonic dynasty, traced their lineage to King Solomon and Queen Makeda, drawing legitimacy from the Ark's presence. For centuries Ethiopian emperors were crowned in Axum at St. Mary of Zion, underscoring that their authority was sanctioned by this holy legacy.
Timkat: The Ark in Celebration
The Ark's cultural importance is vividly displayed during Timkat, the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Epiphany (January 19th). During Timkat, every church's tabot (Ark replica) is carried out in joyful procession, wrapped in brocaded cloth and shaded by ornate umbrellas.
Priestly Processions
Priests, chanting and dancing, lead the faithful to a water source to commemorate the baptism of Jesus.
Sacred Symbolism
The sight of priests carrying the covered Ark replicas on their heads, amidst music and ululation.
Spiritual Renewal
An annual renewal of the covenant, transforming cities into scenes of jubilant devotion.
For Ethiopians, Timkat is both a spiritual ritual and a cultural celebration, and it remains a highlight of the Ethiopian calendar. Even in diaspora communities abroad, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians uphold Timkat traditions, keeping the Ark symbolism alive as a link to their heritage.
Timkat
Epiphany Celebration
Hidar Tsion
Mary of Zion Festival
Diaspora
Worldwide Celebrations
For those inspired by the Ark – be they devout pilgrims or heritage travelers – Axum (Aksum) in northern Ethiopia is an essential destination. This small city, once the capital of a mighty ancient empire, is revered as the Ark's resting place and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical significance.
Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion
The heart of Axum's spiritual appeal is the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, an Ethiopian Orthodox church that claims to house the original Ark of the Covenant. Within the church compound stands a modest guarded structure called the Chapel of the Tablet, where the sacred Ark is said to reside.
The Guardian:
Only a single monk, the "Guardian of the Ark," is allowed to enter the Ark's chapel – he is appointed for life to watch over the relic, and no one else (not even the head of the Church) may gaze upon the Ark. This strict seclusion follows the ancient biblical warnings that only designated priests should handle the Ark.
According to tradition, the Ark was placed in this chapel after a divine heat from it cracked the stones of the older sanctuary, prompting Empress Menen (wife of Emperor Haile Selassie) to fund the chapel's construction.
What to Experience:
- Visit the old and new St. Mary of Zion churches.
- Stand near the Chapel of the Tablet (viewing from outside).
- See ancient obelisks (stelae) and royal tombs.
- Explore ruins associated with the Queen of Sheba's palace.
For the Diaspora:
A trip to Axum can be profoundly meaningful for Ethiopian diaspora. Many second-generation Ethiopian-Americans and others of Ethiopian descent visit Axum to reconnect with their spiritual and cultural heritage. Standing before the Ark's chapel, diaspora visitors often feel a deep sense of identity and continuity.
The Ethiopian government has launched programs like "Journey to Roots" to encourage diaspora youth to explore their ancestral land's history and traditions.
Visitor Note: Thousands of faithful pilgrims journey to Axum each year, especially during festivals, to pray outside the chapel's red fence and absorb its sanctity. Many describe a sense of awe simply standing in the shadow of the Chapel of the Tablet, knowing what it is believed to contain.
Whether you view the tradition as literal history, pious legend, or something in between, its impact on Ethiopian religious life is undeniable. It links Ethiopian Christianity to Old Testament symbolism in a distinctive way.
Cultural Impact
It has fortified a people's sense of divine purpose and enriched their celebrations with majestic symbolism. Ethiopia is sometimes poetically referred to as a "second Zion."
Living Heritage
For visitors, learning about the Ark of Ethiopia offers insight into a country where faith, myth and history intertwine in remarkable ways.
A Symbol of Hope and Heritage
For Ethiopians scattered around the globe, this ancient chest – hidden in a chapel in Axum – remains a potent emblem of homeland and hope, inviting them to rediscover the riches of their heritage. The Ark of Ethiopia stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith, tradition and cultural identity that transcends time and distance.
"For many believers, the Ark tradition is more than a story — it represents faith, heritage, and a living link between biblical tradition and Ethiopian identity."
Is the Ark in Ethiopia?
Ethiopian Orthodox tradition teaches that the Ark is guarded in a chapel within the St Mary of Zion church compound in Axum (Aksum). No independent researcher has been allowed to examine what is kept there directly.
Where is it believed to be kept?
It is believed to rest in Axum (Aksum) in northern Ethiopia, inside the Chapel of the Tablet next to St Mary of Zion. Visitors can see the chapel from outside, but only the appointed Guardian monk may enter.
What is the role of the Ark in the Ethiopian Church?
The Ethiopian church teaches that every consecrated church must contain a tabot – a small inscribed tablet that represents the Ark of the Covenant. The tabot is kept in the Holy of Holies and is only revealed during special processions, especially at Timkat. This practice shows how deeply the Ark symbolism is woven into Ethiopian worship and theology.
Has anyone outside the Church seen what is kept in the chapel?
No. By tradition, only the Guardian monk may look upon the Ark in the Chapel of the Tablet. Pilgrims, tourists and scholars may approach the outer area of the compound, but they cannot enter the chapel. For that reason, the claim remains a matter of faith rather than scientific verification.
- The Ark is believed to reside in Axum's Chapel of the Tablet.
- Every Ethiopian Orthodox church contains a sacred Tabot (Ark replica).
- The Kebra Nagast legend traces the Ark's journey through Menelik I.
- Only one appointed Guardian monk can enter the Ark's chapel.
- Timkat festival celebrates the Ark through nationwide Tabot processions.
- Axum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and major pilgrimage destination.
- Ethiopian emperors historically drew legitimacy from the Ark tradition.
- The Ark story connects global Ethiopian diaspora to their heritage.