The Ethiopian Orthodox Church in D.C. serves not just as a place of worship, but as a cultural and spiritual anchor for the largest Ethiopian diaspora community in the U.S.

“The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has so many beautiful rituals and services. … Every day has its own meaning and a very deep one,” said Mezgebu, a senior at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

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 ...

“The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has so many beautiful rituals and services. … Every day has its own meaning and a very deep one,” said Mezgebu, a senior at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

APTOPIX Ethiopian Church Washington DC 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 ...

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.

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 ...

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 ...

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the U.S. capital, hundreds of Ethiopians dressed in traditional white shawls chant in the ancient liturgical language of one of the oldest branches of Christianity. During ...

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 ...

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 ...

In the U.S. capital, hundreds of Ethiopians dressed in white tunics gather at the DSK Mariam Church to chant and pray in an ancient liturgical language of one of the ...