The Ethiopian Monks of Jerusalem: A Hidden History

In this episode, Lucas and Luna uncover the centuries-old presence of Ethiopian Christians in Jerusalem, a community often overshadowed by better-known denominations. From the legendary visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, to the monastery of Deir al-Sultan perched on the roof of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, we trace how Ethiopian monks maintained a foothold in the Holy City through Ottoman decrees, Coptic rivalries, and the upheavals of the twentieth century. We explore the unique traditions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the role of the Tekle Haymanot monastery, and the 1970 showdown when Israeli police forcibly removed Ethiopian monks from the monastery. Along the way, we confront the delicate diplomacy of the Status Quo, the power of a small community's attachment to sacred space, and the question of who gets to call a place home after two thousand years. Filled with vivid details and little-known stories, this episode reveals a Jerusalem that is more diverse and more contested than ever.

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