Abuna (Ge'ez: አቡነ ’abunä) is the title of the metropolitan bishop or head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Historically the Abuna was selected by the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria, who was the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church and also had diocesian authority over Ethiopia and other parts of Africa, who would appoint one of his monks to this post. As a result, a number of years might pass between successors, and due to a lack of knowledge of the native languages the Abuna had a minimal influence on both Ethiopian religion and politics. The Geez language (or Giiz language) is an ancient language that developed in the Ethiopian Highlands of the Horn of Africa as the language of the peasantry. ... In hierarchical Christian churches, the rank of metropolitan, pertains to the bishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of an old Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital. ... This Ethiopian icon shows St. ... The following list contains all the Popes who have held sway over the Coptic Orthodox Church since the Council of Chalcedon. ... Christ - Coptic Art Coptic Orthodox Christianity is the indigenous form of Christianity that, according to tradition, the apostle Mark established in Egypt in the middle of the 1st century AD (approximately AD 60). ... A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. ...

Visitors to Ethiopia at this time, such as Francisco Alvarez in the 16th century and Remedius Prutky in the 18th century, were amazed at the mass ordination of deacons and priests with little more than a wave of the cross and a prayer -- which was the Abuna's principal duty. Francisco Alvarez (1465?-1541?) was a Portuguese missionary and explorer. ... Deacon is a role in the Christian Church which is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. ... Roman Catholic priest LCDR Allen R. Kuss (USN) aboard USS Enterprise A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ...

After many centuries, the Coptic and Ethiopian Churches reached an agreement (13 July 1948) that led to the promotion of the Ethiopian church to the rank of an autocephalous Patriarchate. Five bishops were immediately consecrated by the Patriarch of Alexandria, empowered to elect a new Patriarch for their church, and the successor to Abuna Qerellos IV would have the power to consecrate new bishops. The first native Christian to become patriarch was Abuna Baslios, who was consecrated 14 January 1951. July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... In hierarchical Christian churches, especially Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches, autocephaly is the status of a hierarchical church whose head bishop does not report to any higher-ranking bishop. ... Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ...

The current Abuna of Ethiopia is Abune Paulos. Abune Paulos, Fifth Patriarch of Ethiopia Abune Paulos (born Gebre Igziabiher Wolde Yohannes 1935) is Abuna and Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (1992 - ). His full title is His Holiness Abune Paulos, Fifth Patriarch and Catholicos (re-ese Liqane Papasat) of Ethiopia, Echege of the See of St. ...

See also

• Ethiopian aristocratic and religious titles
• List of Abunas

Abuna (Arabic: أبونا ’abūnā, literally 'our father') is also a title used among Arabic-speaking Christians to refer to a priest. The title is used either by itself, or with the priest's given name, for example 'Abuna Tuma' for 'Father Thomas'. This title is not used in self-reference, rather the priest would refer to himself as al-Ab (الأب al-’ab, literally 'the father'). This is a list of Ethiopian aristocratic and religious titles used in Ethiopia until the end of the Monarchy in 1974. ... . This is a list of Abunas of Ethiopia , the spiritual head of the Tawahedo Church. ... The Arabic alphabet is the script used for writing in the Arabic language. ... Roman Catholic priest LCDR Allen R. Kuss (USN) aboard USS Enterprise A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ...