What is the difference between Ethiopian Orthodox and Coptic Orthodox?

[Yona2921]

Here are about 30 differences between COPTIC & EOTC

As an Ethiopian Orthodox servant and having attended several Coptic liturgies, and from theological research on both churches, I can tell you we the EOTC have SO MANY differences.

Dogma Differences

1. We believe that Saint Mary was born stainless immaculate conception - (Coptics believe she was born with sin)
2. We believe that Saint Mary has no sin or nature to sin since conception as well

Jewish Practices

1. We have Ark Processions year-round
2. We abstain from all unclean food (pork, shrimp, crab, etc)
3. We do no enter church if we are unclean (men and women)
4. We wear all white shawls (Netelas) as a symbol of Christ’s Resurrection and spiritual purity
5. We have a shoeless entry (not just during communion)
6. We abstain from any modern instruments (piano, guitar, etc)
7. We have 81 books in the Bible (Coptics have 74)
8. We go of Halachic Jewish Time (Fasting entry and exits are based of our sun and star movements (Twilight) and our hours are reversed (12=6, 9=3)
9. We observe Friday evening and Saturday as the Sabbath (in addition to Sunday)

EOTC Belief System

1. We abstain from any fish on fasting days (It is a meat - 1 Cor 15:39)
2. We eat starting at 3pm on fasting days
3. We fast 296 days of the year (including Tsige & Pagume Fast)
4. Women are not allowed to wear pants only ankle length dresses
5. We never imprint (wear) icons of saints on clergical or any other clothes
6. We have a 2-priest liturgy system unlike Coptics
7. We close curtains during significant moments
8. To be a Deacon you must be a unmarried virgin
9. We have 14 liturgies (Coptics have 3)
10. We celebrate all 33 feasts for Saint Mary and all 18 feasts of Jesus with millions in attendance year round
11. We have Hymnaries (Mahlet) 4-10 hours short version and 24-48 hours long on Epiphany and Horologions (Sa’tat)
12. We perform year- round Subae’s (7 days of no food or water)
13. Believers have continual baptisms year round for healing and forgiveness of sin
14. We do not eat bread or bring any food inside church (unlike Coptics)
15. Only men can pour Holy Water
16. The Holy Trinity Icon is always depicted (Coptics use mostly Jesus and the 4 creatures of the Gospel)

Explanation:

While we didn’t establish a church prior to Coptics, Ethiopia was and is historically known as the First Christian Kingdom and Civilization (Reference: Psalms 72: 9-10, Acts 8, & Aksum Kingdom predates back to BC showing traces of Christianity. We are the only orthodox nation who incorporate 4000 year old Jewish customs (Judeo-Christianity) and Jewish forms of worship and tradition into our faith making us really a third type of Orthodox. The reason for this is because we were the only Orthodox country to convert from Jewish to Christian so we hold very sacred information or the “original link” that drives our Christian faith to be more conservative or allows us to have more divine levels of worship.

 

[Vico]

no sin or nature to sin after birth

After birth or from conception?

 

[Yona2921]

Hi I just adjusted it to sound more clear, since conception.

 

[Xarto]

Thank you, very interesting. Are you the only Orthodox who believe in the Immaculate Conception?

 

[Yona2921]

Yes the Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church is the only Orthodox Church that believes in the immaculate conception.