Independent monarchy in northeastern Africa; area, 350,000 square miles; estimated population, 10,000,000. According to legend, Christianity was introduced by the eunuch Candace baptized by Philip the Deacon, and was firmly established in the 4th century under Saint Frumentius, the first bishop. Since his time the Abyssinians have belonged to the Coptic Church and fell with it into the Monophysite heresy. The Abyssinian Church is today a debased form of Christianity curiously mingled with Judaistic rites. There are a few Catholics of the Abyssinian Rite in communion with Rome, but all attempts at a general reconciliation have been frustrated by national feeling. Catholic missionaries were not relieved of persecution until the reign of Menelek II in the 19th century.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
Read More