ATLANTA, Georgia – Last Saturday on August 29, when several hundred church goers flocked to the old site of St. Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Church, it was to bid farewell to the old building and at the same time escort the Tabot (holy-slab replicas of the Arc of the Covenant) move into the new shrine at 1152 South Mountain Lithonia Rd.
An equal number, if not more, of Ethiopians were also at the new church – waiting for the arrival of the tabot.
A police motorcade as well as several hundred Ethiopians attired in their national costumes escorted the tabots that were seen moving along the streets of metro Atlanta.
Saturday August 29, 2009 was a special day for Ethiopians of Christian faith in Atlanta. For those who assembled at the old St. Mary site, the day brought mixed feelings: joy and sorrow. Sorrow, because many parishioners found it hard to leave the old building behind them after so many years of cherished memories — the church that kept the congregation intact for more than a decade and saved the church from further split. Dozens of young Ethiopians have had also their matrimonial ceremonies at this very church, only to be back a year later for another ceremony — to baptize their new-born babies. This same church had also rendered funeral services for so many loved ones, irrespective of the deceased membership status.
Joyful, because what more could there be to make hundreds of worshippers content than seeing the fruits of 15 years of arduous journey! The concerted efforts of the various committees and sub-committees headed by the Building Construction body have lived up to the expectations of the general public. During the two-day unprecedented celebrations of the grand opening of the church, people were joyous, and congatulating each other other.Children with national attire had their field day. For all Ethiopians, the festivities were reminders of the annual Timket celebration, an Ethiopina Epiphany that falls on January 19 every year. A wide range of programs featuring religious, cultural and recreational activities were held on both occasions.
Leaders of various Ethiopian Orthodox churches in Atlanta but with opposing views on church matters brushed their differences aside for the day and celebrated the inaugural ceremony together in the name of peace and love. Abune Melke-Sadik of Oakland, in his teaching on Sunday said: “Jesus Chris was asked a question by his disciples..’ where shall we find Thee?” Jesus replied to all “wherever you converged in the name of love, I will be amongst yourself.” So was the motto and the driving force that brought those church leaders whom had never seen each other for years, together at the compound of the new St. Mary church in Atlanta. Priests from Eritrean and Tigrean churches were also present during the grand opening ceremony.Though not in its entirety, the gesture was viewed by many as exemplary and wished long lasting peace and reconciliation for the people.
The three-domed mammoth edifice was officially inaugurated by His Holiness accompanied by more than 9 pops from different states, including one from Canada, Vancouver. They praised the intensive efforts by the community in realizing the dreams and aspirations of the congregation.
On hand at the opening ceremony was Mr. Burrell Ellis, CEO of Dekalb County, who re-iterated the county’s continued support and congratulated the community for its unparallel success.
Ato Abate Zewdie and Ato Tewodros H/ Giorgis, chairmen of the Board and Building Construction Committee, respectively, briefed the mammoth gathering on the hard-won achievement of building the most modern and entirely Ethiopianized church.
Sealilete Mihiret Kidist Mariam Ethiopian Orthodox Church, as its official name goes, is believed to be the biggest church ever built outside of Ethiopia. It has a total of 500-700 seats, separate for men and women, a number of offices, 9 classrooms, a library, a room for moms and infants where they can feed their babies while following the sermon at the same time. The church has also toddlers room, a number of meeting rooms, assembly hall that can accommodate upto 500 people and other pertinent facilities. The high cathedral ceiling with its magnificent crystal chandlers, gives the church its extraordinary beauty built on 5.5 acres of land at a cost of more than $3 million.
Invited guests, priests, deacons, choir groups and worshipers who came from all over the United States, and Canada had witnessed the historic full ecclesiastical ceremony of how a new church is being ordained.
The two-day vibrant festivities came to an end with a grandeur treat featuring traditional food and beverage inside the superb multi faceted -task assembly hall, built adjacent to the church, with modern commercial kitchen soon to be ready for release.
