The whereabouts of the Ark of the Covenant have been a topic of speculation and debate for centuries. Many theories have emerged, but none have been definitively proven. One of the most enduring claims is that the Ark found its way to Ethiopia and is currently housed in the St. Mary of Zion cathedral in Aksum.
The story of the Ark’s journey to Ethiopia is rooted in biblical accounts and Ethiopian tradition. According to the Old Testament, the Ark was built by Moses and the Israelites during their time in the desert. It was a sacred object, believed to contain the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, as well as other important relics.
When Jerusalem was under threat from the Babylonians in the 6th century BCE, some believe that the Ark was hidden or transported to a safer location. Ethiopian tradition holds that the Ark was brought to Ethiopia by Menelik I, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Legend has it that Menelik traveled to Jerusalem to visit his father and returned to Ethiopia with the Ark, without Solomon’s knowledge.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has long claimed to be the custodian of the Ark, and the St. Mary of Zion cathedral in Aksum is believed to be its final resting place. The cathedral is regarded as one of the holiest sites in Ethiopia and is off-limits to all but a select few priests. The Ark is said to be housed in a small chapel within the cathedral, guarded by a single monk who dedicates his life to its protection.
Notably, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church does not allow anyone, including archaeologists and historians, to examine or verify the presence of the Ark. As a result, the claim remains unverified and shrouded in mystery. Skeptics argue that the Ark’s presence in Aksum is based solely on faith and tradition, rather than concrete evidence.
It is important to note that the Ethiopian claim is just one among many theories about the Ark’s whereabouts. Other theories suggest that the Ark may have been destroyed or captured by various ancient civilizations. Some believe it was hidden away in secret underground chambers beneath the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, while others propose that it was taken to Egypt or even transported to a different continent altogether.
The lack of concrete evidence regarding the Ark’s location has fueled ongoing speculation and fascination. Countless expeditions and searches have been conducted, but none have yielded definitive proof. Until solid evidence emerges, the true whereabouts of the Ark of the Covenant will remain a mystery.
The claim that the Ark of the Covenant is currently located in the St. Mary of Zion cathedral in Aksum, Ethiopia, remains unverified and relies on faith and tradition rather than concrete evidence. While Ethiopian tradition and biblical accounts support this claim, skeptics argue that the lack of access to the Ark and the absence of scientific examination make it difficult to confirm its presence. The search for the Ark continues, but its current location remains unknown.