For its cultural influence, the Ethiopian Orthodox “Tewahedo” Church is particularly well-known.
Many Ethiopians are proud of the fact that their people practiced Christianity for a very long time before it became generally accepted in the West. They are also quick to point out that they are the only African nation that did not get Christianity from European colonizers. In reality, Ethiopia was among the first countries to formally recognize Christianity as the national religion in 333 CE. The majority of Ethiopian culture is religious. As a result, many families and communities strongly disapprove of apostasy or conversion. Yet, there is frequently a significant degree of respect and tolerance for religious diversity. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is one of the first and oldest Christian denominations in the world.
