The CHA Weekend Edition Presents: Coffee, Canon, and a Possible Lost Ark—The Ethiopian Orthodox Church

The Kebra Nagast is a medieval text that narrates the story of the Queen of Sheba (Makeda) and King Solomon, and their son Menelik I, who is said to have brought the Ark of the Covenant to Ethiopia. The text is a vital part of Ethiopian national and religious identity, legitimizing the Solomonic dynasty's rule. It draws heavily from the Hebrew Bible, Rabbinical sources, and other historical and folkloric materials. The work has been translated and edited by several scholars, including Carl Bezold, who translated it into German in 1905.

The Book of Acts is the fifth book of the New Testament and serves as a sequel to the Gospel of Luke. It chronicles the history of the early Christian church, beginning with the ascension of Jesus Christ and ending with Paul's imprisonment in Rome. The book is divided into two main sections: the first focuses on the ministry of Peter in Jerusalem and Samaria (Acts 1–12), and the second follows Paul's missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire (Acts 13–28). It highlights the transition of the gospel message from a Jewish audience to the Gentiles, the empowerment of believers by the Holy Spirit, and the growth of the church despite persecutions. The book also explores the relationship between Christians and the Roman Empire, showing how Christians could obey both God and the civil authorities.