Exploration

Portrait At Bete Giyorgis. Lalibela, Ethiopia, January 2016. #ethiopia #ethiopian #ethiopianorthodoxtewehedochurch #ethiopianorthodox #orthodoxy #asianorthodox #lalibela #solitude #serenity #canon5dmarkiii #canon #getty #travel #canoncps #gettyimages #travelphotography #faith #peace

Life plays "Peek a Boo"...Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. #streetphotography #addisababa #ethiopia #ethiopian #habesha #life #black&white #Africa #ourfuture

Leaving Kidasse this Saturday morning we saw this notice for the following missing child (Please forgive me if I mis-spell his name): Danat Sitotaw, 12 years of age, reported missing 10 days ago, March 8, 2017 on the Western Calender. If any information please call (+251) 0912701466 or 0912704984 or 0920843239. I will post a better, clearer photo just in case this one is not clear enough. On the Sabbath just like any other day but especially on the Sabbath we are to be mindful of ways we can have an impact on society and the world, whether it be through service and acts of social justice on an individual, congregational, neighborhood or even National or international level in addition to our daily prayers for intervention and an "participatory, action based" life-style. Please be mindful in your travels and keep an eye out for Danat, whether your in Addis or Amsterdam. #africa #eastafrica #addisababa #streetphotography #streetphotographyinAddis #shabbatshalom #ethiopia #ethiopian #ethiopianorthodox #ethiopianorthodoxchurch #ethiopianorthodoxtewahedochurch (at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

On Wednesday March 1, Ethiopia celebrated a national holiday which commemorates the 121st anniversary of the military victory at the Battle of Adwa. On that day, Ethiopian forces under the leadership of Emperor Menelik the II defeated the Invading Colonialist Army of Italy. Some of the aspects of this crucial chapter in African history go unmentioned outside of Ethiopia for reasons unknown but I feel it's crucial to tie in the element of this victory that is undermentioned and over looked.... and that is God himself and his blessings on the faith in Ethiopia. Leading his armies to Adwa on foot over the course of 3 months, Menelik the II, as a follower of the Ethiopian Orthodox faith, carried with him the Kedus Giyorgis Tabot which he would subsequently carry into battle at Adwa March 1, 1896 (Gregorian Calender, February 23, 1888 Ethiopian Calender). On the day of battle, Emperor Menelik the II rode into battle, with his wife Empress Taitu by his side, the Kedus Giyorgis Tabot and his armies to defeat the Invading Italian Forces. I'm sure so will question my motives and logic as to why I say God was a part of this victory and whether he and Menelik's bringing the Kedus Giyorgis Tabot into Battle played any part in it at all. I would simply say look at Meneliks, and Ethiopia's priorities....understanding their Biblical legacy and place in Christian History it is always understood in Ethiopia that God is the center of life. Life's beginning, meaning and purpose are defined by how one worships and serves God while on the journey to the divine. I personally don't believe Adwa was a fluke but rather a sign and a witness to what the right heart and attitude towards God with the right priorities can yield on a personal and even a national level when facing trials and challenges on the journey to Mount Sion. #adwa #addisababa #ethiopia #ethiopian #ethiopianorthodox #ethiopianorthodoxtewahedochurch #africa #eastafrica #orthodoxy #asianorthodoxy #panafricandreamer #panafricandreams #2000yearsofchristianity #2000yearsofchristianfaith

I made this series of photographs almost a year ago during the celebration of "The Announcement" on January 1st of 2016. The timing of the announcement this year on the Orthodox Calendar has it on December 31, 9 months after this date the 2017 Feast of Tabernacles occurs on October 4 - 11. I have always marveled at how closely related some dates on the Ethiopian calendar and the Hebrew Calender were. I will just leave this here as I revisit this scene of a woman praying as the Tabot passed by during the celebration of "The Announcement" on January 1, 2016 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. At this time, 3 days after Kulube Gabriel I had come to Bisrata Gabriel Sarabet for this special church service. Always at the end of December or in this case the first day of the new year 2016 this special celebration is observed on the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Calendar. "The Announcement" commemorates the day the Angel Gabriel told Mary the mother of Yeshua that she was pregnant bearing the Messiah. From my research I have determined that this day pre-dates the influence of Zar Yacob and is of much much older origin. This day occurs exactly 9 months before the fall holidays of the Hebrew Calendar. According to the principle of this day Yeshua would have been born in September, an assertion that most priest in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church adhere too as well as a plethora of eastern and western scholars alike. It is beautiful to see the celebration and exuberance exercised on this day. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church as well as the other Eastern Orthodoxies were planted, flowered and nurtured DIRECTLY by the Apostles and Disciples that Yeshua himself handpicked. This didn't come from Europe, it existed almost 1000 years before European Christianity got its footing. My purpose is not to harp on the divisions between East and West, but to share things largely suppressed and unknown to Western Christians and the black church. #ethiopia #ethiopian #habesha #ethiopianorthodox #ethiopianorthodoxchurch #ethiopianorthodoxtewahedochurch #addisababa #orthodox #orthodoxy #asianorthodoxy #africa #africanchristianity #eastafrica

The Cross and the Incense #ethiopia #ethiopian #ethiopianorthodox #ethiopianorthodoxchurch #ethiopianorthodoxtewahedochurch #fujiXseries #africa #fuji #fujifilm #fujixt1 #fujiinafrica #eastafrica

This is an appeal to reason and not a self righteous rant. This morning I had my first ever experience with someone attempting to proselytize and get me to look at their "religion". My cab driver claimed that his religion was SUPERIOR to all other religions in the world because it was "preaching the Kingdom of God and telling people to come out of the world and prepare for the coming Kingdom." The gentleman said that no other religion does this, rather the other religions promote and perpetuate the world system by helping people to better live in it and work to actually fix it....😳. I challenged him telling him there are a lot of churches that preach about the corrupt nature of the current world system. I also said that as beings imitating the Messiah, "Christians" are bound to do good works and serve humanity, uplifting all around us. To seek out the disadvantaged and the oppressed and serve without question. The man replies "oh well I guess you need to feed them in order to preach to them..."😳🙄. I mentioned to him to read Matthew 25:30 to the end of the chapter to see whats truly expected of Christians. I left his cab with a bit of vomit in my mouth as he continued to urge me to check out the website for "his church." I walked away wondering just how do "Christians" ignore Yeshua's BLATENT MANDATES AND COMMANDS to obey his laws of love and imitate him in his acts of service, compassion and the pursuit of Peace through justice. Selflessly helping those in need, coming to the aid of the downtrodden, troubled and oppressed and selflessly serving in our communities without looking for rewards or recognition are the ways of God. Serving without the fireworks and flag waving, but rather service in near obscurity without hesitation is the mark if the truly converted. In the times ahead we will need to be doing just that. Serving selflessly, not for gain, reward or recognition, but because you honestly want to see the captives and the oppressed free. You want to be an agent used to lift someone out of suffering. You want to and need to protect your brothers and sisters in the face of violent oppression. The Time is Now. #thegospel #orthodox

The Kebero is a major component in Ethiopian Orthodox Church Liturgical Music or Mezmur as it is more commonly defined. A large wooden, two sided drum, the Kebero can be found in most if not every Ethiopian Orthodox Church across the globe. The construction of the drum and the manner in which it is played offers some beautiful insights into Ethiopian Orthodox Theology. The drum usually rests on its side but the actual base of the drum, the smaller side represents the Old Testament and symbolizes the churches base as Torah, the writings and the Prophets. The top of the drum which is significantly larger represents the New Testament and its subsequent theology involving the saving works and Gospel of Yeshua. The two sides have noticeably different pitches with the base side being a higher pitch than the larger side which actually is a more definitive, deeper, bass sound. During the liturgical performances where the drum is used, the drum establishes a rhythm where both large and small side are struck interchangeably, in a seeming call and response, while guiding the singers with this syncopated rhythm which represents the harmonious relationship between The Old and New Testament within Orthodox Theology. Contrary to what critics and detractors opposed to Eastern Orthodoxy say, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is an ALL TESTAMENT church, not giving emphasis to Old over New but rather worshipping the Creator God, The Son and the Father with a deep reverence and awe and love of the entirety of the Divine revelation, presence, history of and plan for his creation and his children as it ultimately points to the Savior of the World as the Enthroned King over the Universe. Thank you and blessings my sister @angelinagabriela #ethiopianorthodoxchurch #ethiopianorthodoxtewehedochurch #asianorthodoxy #orthodoxliturgy #habesha #ethiopian #hebrewrootschristianity #BisrateGabrielChurch

City Life, The Streets of Piassa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. #streetphotography #streetsofAddis #streetphotographyinAddis #streetphotographyinAfrica #eastafrica #habesha #ethiopia #ethiopian #fuji #fujifilm #fujixseries #piassa #africa #fujiinAfrica #getty #gettyimages #gettyimagesoffduty

On the road to Woliso.... We pass by a child while driving during a recent visit to a care point center operated by the organization Children's HopeChest in the city of Woliso in Ethiopia. One of the objectives of this visit is to return to the birth place of Ermias Yantis Blank. Ermias, the adopted son of Lacey Marie Yantis and Aaron Blank suffers from a rare condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa or "EB" for short. Epidermolysis bullosa (ep-ih-dur-MOL-uh-sis buhl-LOE-sah) is a group of rare diseases that cause the skin to blister. The blisters may appear in response to minor injury, heat, or friction from rubbing, scratching or adhesive tape. In severe cases, the blisters may occur inside the body, such as the lining of the mouth or intestines. With this, Ermias lives with constant discomfort and sometimes immense pain. Presently there is no known cure, but research is constant and ongoing. This being my second journey to Woliso with Ermias and family on behalf of Children's HopeChest it is both inspiring and heart breaking to see Ermias struggle to simply act and do things a normal 4 year old would do. #EB #epidermolysisbullosa #ChildrensHopeChest #adoption #woliso #ethiopia #volunterism #literacy #literacyprograms #charity #service #EBresearchpartnership

I look forward with Hope as the Future looks back, July 2016, Saint George Church, Piassa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. #orthodox #orthodoxy #ethiopianorthodoxchurch #ethiopianorthodox #saintgeorge #ethiopia #ethiopian #africa #africanchristianity #2000yearsofchristianity #eastafrica #hope

Lalibela's Child, Beta Giyorgis Rock Hewn Church, Lalibela, Ethiopia, January 2016. #Gena #gena2016 #ethiopia #ethiopian #eastafrica #lalibela #onepeopleonenation #ourchildren #youth #canon #canon5dmarkiii #sigma #sigmalenses #sigma50art

Black Jesus on Gabriels Porch, Saint Gabriel Church, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.... #Ethiopia #Ethiopian #EthiopianOrthodoxChurch #EthiopianOrthodoxTewehedoChurch #AddisAbaba #Habesha #Gabriel #SaintGabriel #Orthodoxy #AsianOrthodoxy #Peace #Meditation #eastafrica #streetphotography #streetphotographyinaddis #shabbatshalom

Friendship is.... Lalibela, Ethiopia, January 6, 2016. #habesha #everydayafrica #eastafrica #streetphotographer #streetphotographer #ethiopia #ethiopian #gena #gena2016 #peace #friendship #sunset #sunsetoverethiopia

For many months now I have seen countless memes and postings about what is supposed to be contained in the Ethiopian Bibles that are several hundred to almost 2000 years old. A lot of people are claiming that their wisdom is different then the western translations. That they contain unaltered truth that the western versions had removed so that "Church leaders", politicians and policy makers could manipulate and control the masses through a distorted morality, heresy and ignorance. The truth is, the themes in the Ethiopian bible are consistent with all others Bibles translated "faithfully" and "objectively" before the mid-twentieth century. They unanimously agree on the truth of the matter, that God is a God of Justice, his character traits are that of a God that loves his creation and pursues peace through the pursuit of Justice for all, social justice, right-making for all human beings by nurturing, supporting and uplifting them. We all seem to be searching for a magic bullet, a red pill perhaps, that will give is an advantage or elevate us to a new level of consciousness that will prove and validate our personal philosophies that guide us through life. The 28 literal uses of the word Justice, along with the hundreds of references in the Old Testament to "being just" as a Godly trait are still there. The use of the word "Diakonia" denoting Justice in a general sense is still in their New Testament scriptures. The magic bullet, the "Red Pill" you seek to gain enlightenment and attain a new level of consciousness and value is right in front of your face, whether written in Ge-ez, Amharic, Hebrew or English....the pursuit of Justice for ALL human beings on the face of the earth is the spirituality that the "God Consciousness" consist of. From South Dakota to Chicago to the Congo, the Horn of Africa and Australia, for ALL HUMAN KIND. #originalorthodoxy #orthodox #ethiopianorthodoxchurch #asianorthodoxy #clarity #justice #socialjustice #rightmaking #thetrueGospel #thetruegospelisisPeacethroughServiceandJustice

Why is it when I mention social justice and responsibility among the supposedly "more knowledgeable" members of the "Christian" community I get such strong pushback? People treat the necessary aspects of Christendom like extra-credit activities and not the mandatory behaviors and actions that they truly are. God saves and cleanses you EVERYDAY, he hears your prayers EVERY HOUR and is there for you EVERY SECOND. So why cant we, as "adopted heirs" imitating our God be the same for ALL MEN around us? Do the homeless stop being homeless? Are there not members of the community in need everyday? Are there not children at risk all the time? ARE NOT PEOPLE BEING OPPRESSED IN YOUR MIDST EVERY SECOND? Do you realize your "Pharisaical" fanatic focus on days and diet as a means to righteousness without lifting a finger even once a week to do something meaningful and necessary for another Human Beings survival is one of the major contributing factors to Christianity being relegated to a dead, ineffective, cultish belief set. We were charged with changing the world through acts of sincere compassion, love, self sacrificing service and the pursuit of justice for EVERYONE in our midst. Why are we doing nothing but living insular lives where "we serve we", and leave the rest of humanity out in the cold.... #christianity #orthodoxy #asianorthodoxy #socialjustice #social-responsibility #thetruegospel #praxis #theosis #ourmandatoryresponsibility #weareourbrotherskeeper #justice #ethiopianorthodoxchurch #lalibela

Knox Pillitteri and the Pillitteri Family visit Knox's birth mother at her home in the village of Chitu, Ethiopia on June 7, 2016. The Pillitteri family, Kristen, Michael and Knox, traveled to Chitu, Ethiopia, 30 minutes outside of Woliso, to visit Knox's birth family during a trip to Woliso on behalf of Children'sj Hope Chest. Knox was adopted at nine months old by The Pillitteri's who have maintained contact with their son's birth family since his adoption. Now age four, Knox makes his first trip back to Ethiopia to experience his first reunion with his birth family. Both Knox Pillitteri and Ermias Blank inspired their respective adoptive mothers to team up in partnership with Children's HopeChest to establish a CarePoint in Woliso which strives to keep families intact, prevent orphans and break the cycle of poverty. #children'sHopeChest #adoption #orphan #orphancare #adoptionreunion #adoptionreunions #africa #eastafrica #ethiopia #ethiopian #woliso #love #getty #gettyimages #gettyimagesoffduty