Many people today confuse ancient Christian terms with modern institutions. Let’s clarify the history and meaning behind names like Orthodox, Catholic, and Apostolic — and how they differ from today’s religious groups.
📌 1. The First Church Had No Denomination
When Christianity began after the resurrection of Jesus (around 33 AD), there were no Catholics, no Orthodox, and no Protestants. The early followers of Christ were simply called:
Believers
Disciples
The Way (Acts 9:2)
Christians (Acts 11:26)
This first church was apostolic — meaning it followed the teachings of the apostles — but it was not yet called Apostolic Church as a denomination.
📌 2. The Term Catholic Was First Used in the 2nd Century
The word “Catholic” means “universal”. It was first used by Ignatius of Antioch around 110 AD to describe the whole body of Christ’s followers across different cities.
⚠️ It did not refer to the Roman Catholic Church as it exists today.
📌 3. The Word Orthodox Also Came Later
The word “Orthodox” means “right belief” or “correct worship”. It was used to defend the teachings of the early Church against heresies.
But the Eastern Orthodox Church (as a separate branch) officially took form after the Great Schism in 1054 AD, when:
The Western Church became Roman Catholic
The Eastern Church became Eastern Orthodox
This means: ✅ The early Church was apostolic and holy
❌ But it was not called “Orthodox Church” or “Catholic Church” as institutions.
📌 4. Ethiopia’s Church: Unique in History
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has a special path:
Christianity entered Ethiopia in the 4th century during King Ezana’s reign (around 330 AD), through Frumentius (Abba Selama) from Egypt.
At that time, Ethiopia became one of the first Christian nations.
But this church was connected to the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt (which also wasn’t called “Orthodox” in modern sense yet).
Ethiopia received independence in 1959, appointing its own Patriarch.
📌 5. Ethiopian Orthodox ≠ Other Orthodox Churches
Even though they all use the word “Orthodox”, they differ:
Eastern Orthodox Churches (like Greek or Russian) follow the Chalcedonian tradition.
Ethiopian, Egyptian, Armenian, and Eritrean Orthodox Churches are part of the Oriental Orthodox family, which rejected the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD).
So, Ethiopian Orthodoxy is: ✅ Apostolic in root
✅ Linked with Egypt
✅ Independent in leadership (since 1959)
❌ Not the same as Greek or Russian Orthodox
❌ Not like the Catholic Church in theology or structure
📌 6. The Ethiopian Eunuch Was Not Orthodox
The Ethiopian eunuch baptized in Acts 8 by Philip was not part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church — because it didn’t exist yet.
He was a New Testament Christian, just like the other apostles and early disciples.
The organized structure of Ethiopian Christianity came 300 years later, under King Ezana.
✅ Conclusion:
The first Church was simply Christian — based on faith in Christ and apostolic teaching, not church buildings or formal names.
The terms Catholic, Orthodox, and Apostolic came later to defend beliefs — but have since evolved into different denominations.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is historically rich, but not the same as the ancient Church of Acts — just as Catholics and Protestants aren’t.