An Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Washington preserves ancient traditions amid modern challenges
Associated Press
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A kesis or priest, waves a censer burning incense as he walks through rows of congregants at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)A congregant worships at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)A congregant wears a netela, a white scarf-like cotton cloth, during a service at the Worshippers at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)A congregant kneels to pray during a service at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)A worshipper kneels before a depiction of "The Last Supper" at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)Congregants pray during a service at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)Congregants stand to receive Communion at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)A congregant of the Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, stands during a service in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)Worshippers kiss the holy Gospel during service at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)A young child wears a netela, the white scarf-like cotton cloth worn by worshippers, during a service at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)Congregants attend an hours-long service at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)A congregant bows to kiss the holy Gospel during a service at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)Church leaders chant during the hours-long service in the Ge'ez language at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)Congregants wear netela, a white scarf-like cotton cloth that signifies modesty and purity, during a service at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)The kesis, or priest, recites the liturgy during service at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)A worshipper holds a prayer staff during a service at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
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A kesis or priest, waves a censer burning incense as he walks through rows of congregants at Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
