Ethiopian Orthodox Tehadeso Church

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tehadeso Church (; literally "Ethiopian Reformed Orthodox Church") is the fruit of Western missionary efforts which inspired local attempts to introduce Reformed theology and practice to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, resulting instead in schism. Most of its members reside in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. However, it has several members (migrants) globally.
Beliefs
Orthodox Tehadeso members believe one must be saved by believing in Jesus as Lord and Saviour for the forgiveness of sins. They believe in God (Egziabhér) the Father, Almighty and eternal, Creator of all things. They believe in Jesus Christ (Eyesus), Son of God, that he was born of the Virgin Mary (Mariam), that he died for the sins of humans and rose from the dead, ascended to heaven to the right hand of the Father interceding for all human beings with the promise of coming back again in his mighty and glory. They believe in the Holy Spirit (Menfes Qeddus) who indwells and strengthens the followers and gives spiritual gifts as well as comforts.
They resemble the Mekane Yesus Church in their strict teachings, but they are mostly Charismatic in their worship. In this regard, they have the most similarity to the Mulu Wongel Church of Ethiopia.
Although the members of this sect do proclaim themselves to be "Orthodox", their beliefs and practices are regarded as heretical by the mainline Orthodox Church in Ethiopia, and its teachings are not endorsed or allowed by either the Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church inside Ethiopia, or by the exiled Synod in the west.
Origins
Ethiopian Orthodox Tehadeso churches endeavor to differentiate themselves from the rest of Protestant churches, although their origins are also traced to the introduction of Evangelical and Charismatic theology and practice by Western missionaries. They emphasize a Protestant sola scriptura based faith instead of the Eucharistic and liturgical worship and faith of the indigenous Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Tehadeso members claim their belief system is the "real Orthodoxy" in spite of the fact that it holds more in common with other Protestant belief systems than with any historically Orthodox church. They do not provide evidence to their claim; however, they explain the relationship between tradition and faith. They suggest their faith is complemented by the Orthodox tradition, but in contrast to what they perceive to be the case in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, tradition does not dictate their faith. Orthodox believers would describe this characterization of their faith to be inaccurate. Accordingly, they are very strict in their lifestyle shown by their precise obedience to the rules in the Old and New Testaments.

With their members consisting of former traditional Ethiopian Orthodox adherents including orthodox Menokosat and Kasoch (monks and priests), they worship in Orthodox-like buildings and use similar musical instruments. Yet their beliefs resemble that of the different Ethiopian P'ent'ay churches, the Pentecostal and evangelical churches found in the country, in accordance with their origins.

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