Divine Liturgy in the Ge'ez Rite Celebrated at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

Vatican City, May 13, 2025: A divine liturgy service in the ancient Ge'ez Rite was celebrated on Monday, May 12, in the Choir Chapel of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The event, which was held as part of the celebrations of the ongoing Jubilee of Eastern Churches, was presided over by Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, Archbishop of Addis Ababa. Archbishop Menghesteab Tesfamariam of Asmara concelebrated the liturgy, which drew participants from the Ethiopian and Eritrean Catholic communities. The ceremony highlighted the unique liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Catholic Churches, both of which are Metropolitan Churches sui iuris rooted in the Alexandrian tradition. These Churches share the Ge'ez liturgy, a form of worship distinguished by its ancient Semitic language and distinctive rituals.

At the beginning of the celebration, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, offered an impromptu greeting. Seminarians from the Pontifical Ethiopian College in Rome, where future priests of the Eastern Catholic Churches are trained, also participated in the liturgy.

The spirituality of these Churches has deep biblical roots that date back to the story of the Queen of Sheba, drawn to the wisdom of King Solomon, as told in the Books of Kings (1 Kings 10) and Chronicles (2 Chronicles 9), and of their son Menelik, who became heir to the throne of Axum.

Another foundational episode is the story of Deacon Philip, recounted in Chapter 8 of the Acts of the Apostles, which describes his encounter with the official serving Candace, the Queen of Ethiopia.

This celebration served not only as a liturgical gathering but also as a moment of unity and witness to the enduring richness of the Eastern Christian traditions within the global Catholic Church.

Courtesy: Vatican News