The Church Forests of Ethiopia

Nearly all of Ethiopia’s old-growth forest has disappeared. This film tells the story of Ethiopia’s church forests-pockets of lush biodiversity that surround hundreds of churches-and the efforts to protect them. Directed by Jeremy Seifert.
This film premiered in the seventh issue of Emergence Magazine on "Trees" with an accompanying essay by Fred Bahnson. Read or listen to the essay here: www.emergencema...
Directed by Jeremy Seifert
Produced by Jeremy Seifert, Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee
Cinematography by Jeremy Seifert
Sound Recording by Jeremy Seifert
Edited by Adam Loften
Original Music by Matthew Atticus Berger
Sound Design by Adam Loften
Supervising Sound Editor, D. Chris Smith, MPSE
Colorist, Chris Madera
Associate Producer, Fred Bahnson
Translations by Nahome Asfaha and Wubetu Shimelash
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[@tylerlynch2849]

The priest says something interesting. "When a person plants a tree, every time that tree moves, the tree prays for that person to live longer." That's poetic...but isn't that also, in a real sort of way, literally true? That tree literally gives oxygen, sequesters carbon, holds the soil together, holds moisture, offers shade, and allows birds, insects, and mammals to live in its branches. In a very REAL way that tree contributes to the lives of those around it

[@praisekek181]

The Japanese would say harmony, an artist can see things as they are together, a scientist can see things as they are apart

[@Psilocybism]

If the whole world tried magic mushrooms our LSD just ones, the whole world would consists of peace-loving Forrest hippies. How beautiful would the world then be?

[@michelevalletta3966]

You just discovered poets and novelist secret!

[@luciusaureliuscommodus6520]

@@Psilocybism so that’s what LSD does?

[@mononix5224]

@@praisekek181 "a scientist can see things as they are apart", this depends on the science, the statement "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" is largely true, this is because the properties a 'whole' can exhibit is only limited by the number of interactions the 'parts' can have with each other and the outside (this keeps on going as properties can themselves result in new properties, &c). This is something which is central to ecology, so I don't know what the goal was of the message, but it resulted in an oversimplification. Or maybe you're trying to say science can also be an art?

[@FatherArnoldJohn]

I live in the USA and each time I read or hear something about the Ancient Orthodox Church in Ethiopia I am amazed. Please keep sharing your traditions.

[@monarchblue4280]

@@je-freenorman7787 Lol. Such hatred makes even the most serious man laugh.

[@j_rider995]

@@je-freenorman7787 the reason you even have a system in the west with good morals and a civilised society is because of christianity. Do you know who the last people in Europe were to christianize? It was Scandinavia, they were under viking rule at that time and they would sacrifice children and do all sorts of messed up rituals. Don't say a religion is satanic and then spew hate thats hypocritical

[@j_rider995]

@@je-freenorman7787 you're literally full of hate you must be real miserable inside and have your own issues going on, I'm gonna pray for you dude

[@FatherArnoldJohn]

@@je-freenorman7787 no

[@batman-cw2hd]

@@je-freenorman7787 you are a proud satanic religious pharasiee yourself who persecutes the true believers.

[@gordonwaldner9792]

When I lived in the country I planted 100 trees every year. Since I retired to the city I have planted none. I will renew my efforts and find places to plant trees.

[@allanh7137]

May you live to plant 100,000.

[@scottconlon5124]

Thank you

[@ItsZim0]

Ethiopia has the coolest church. Church in a forest, church on a cliff. Even church with the ark of covenant!

[@nuggert]

Egyptian orthodox is very cool as well

[@melhawk6284]

Churches carved straight into the GROUND even! I have no use for the hypocrisy of the Christians I have been around, but I would ABSOLUTELY go check those ones out!

[@Robespierre-lI]

It's not the ark of the covenant. It's a 9th century forgery

[@joselimjoco3367]

Can the Ethiopian church buy the adjacent agricultural properties outside the wall to expand the forest as a habitat for diverse flora and fauna?

[@averyshaw2142]

Ethiopia just seems to be a bizzarre and fascinating country, entirely unique from all others

[@enqrbit]

Love Ethiopia, Christianity and environmentalism! Respect from an Eritrean Orthodox brother!

[@coorre7713]

Because we are #madetomoov in different ways said the lord ☪️✡️🕉✝️🕎☦️

[@ICXC4033]

@@coorre7713 No

[@ICXC4033]

@@coorre7713 "says the Lord" yeah right lol

[@jamesb118]

@@coorre7713 what a twat

[@ICXC4033]

Begome Orthodox!

[@lalahaha5313]

It was so sad when he said that the "high lands" of Ethiopia used to be covered in forests like the one surrounding the church. Excellent video and I totally agree with their premise......what better way to worship God than in the middle of his splendid creation.

[@dlwatib]

I'm shocked to learn that it was all destroyed in 100 years, except for the little grove around the church.

[@juhaszsc]

@@dlwatib overpopulation. the locust swarms there will not help already tenuous food security.

[@jonathantan2469]

Much of the Middle East & North Africa had a more fertile landscape back then. It wasn't the rocky & sandy deserts we know of today.

[@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep]

God condemned the pagan practice of groves around a holy site extensively in the bible.

[@devkrovil]

@@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep The world will be barren, and the faithful will eat dust. If the words of the unfit are to be believed.

[@CampingforCool41]

It’s sad to see how small that forest looks compared with the desert looking landscape that surrounds it. The forest is so lush and green and full of life while everything else is dead.

[@Sagittarius-A-Star]

@Random Username 2:17, my friend.

[@CptHalifax]

@Random Username Dude, it does. Clearing a rainforest results in the disruption of the water cycle. These forests are self sustaining systems and if you remove them you fuck up the climate and rainfall tremendously, creating a Savanna or desert on that exact spot where the rainforest used to be. The Aztec had to learn it the hard way, as well as the Spanish settlers in Mexico and Brazil is on it’s way to experience the same.

[@MagicalMonkeyMan]

​@Random Username I think you missed @David Kammerer's point that forests are self sustaining systems. Everyone knows that removing plants/trees too quickly without rejuvenating the soil will deplete the land of nutrients and turn it into dust. In addition, the link between decreased forest cover and decreased rainfall has been observed for hundreds of years. The 'normal environment for the area' - the particular one in this video - was probably lush forest, as suggested by the thriving patch you see here, that was once much much larger.

[@MagicalMonkeyMan]

@Random Username The forest was there for long before humans cut it down - how is the resulting barren environment not a human issue? I'm from Mars. Do educate me.

[@ontherims3284]

@Random Username You think Ethiopia is a desert LMAO..maybe near Yemen and Somalia. To take It a step further, the equator runs through the highlands ( what the documentary is about ), its far from being considered arid. The issue comes, from long periods of drought, and a large pop. They still receive a lot of rain in a years time though. They have some tropical areas, as well as many many woodlands. The use of regenerative agriculture and rain harvesting techniques are becoming more common in this area. What's happening, is much like what occurred in the great dust bowl. (That's why they build swales now). So while drought is a major environmental factor, its being overlooked by the farmers, in favor of fast profits.

[@einfachweggehen2785]

This little video should be shown in every school of this world.

[@AYoung-rt9ij]

I agree whole heartedly. Teach the young the value and love of a sacred grove.

[@JohnDoe-bh2lp]

Whites won't portray black Africans as good, especially not in schools

[@RG-iw7py]

I DISAGREE. It confuses religion with ecology and pagan cults.

[@einfachweggehen2785]

@@RG-iw7py Isn't it religion that gives us hope?

[@DarioHaruni]

I'm Muslim and I'm in tears because so few of the religious people have been keeping the important traditions alive, whilst the majority fights over superficial things. I'm glad that the Ethiopian Christians have maintained these values. Prophet Muhammad sent some of his companions in Abyssinia because a Righteous Christian King was there ready to protect those people from the persecution of the Meccans. The descendants of this king are now protecting the trees from the persecution of globalization. This documentary reminds me of the saying of Muhammad: "If the final Hour reaches upon one of you while there is a sapling in his hand, then finish planting it.”

[@DarioHaruni]

@Loki Loki Then don't.

[@pc2753]

Any lover of trees and enemy of globalisation is a friend of mine, regardless of religion.

[@DarioHaruni]

@Loki Loki Nope. He married Aisha after his uncle Abu Talib and his first wife Khadija (who was older than him btw), passed away. He had kids at home which he had with Khadija and he had no support from his uncle any more. His aunt suggested him to get married with a young lady so she could help him around. What was a 6 years old Aisha gonna help him for when he already had kids at home? Aisha in fact was 17-19 and there's a number of evidence to support this.

[@goldbluetears]

​@Loki Loki it was a different time back then. I bet you can find similar things in ancient christianity that would offend your modernist western mindset.

[@DarioHaruni]

@Loki Loki None. The narrator of the hadith that says so.

[@Ismail.ali709]

Am somali i have to say ethiopia is such amazing country. love from somalia 🇸🇴🇸🇴🇪🇹🇪🇹💟✝️

[@kristjanrom9429]

Meanwhile Somalia is a shithole

[@Ismail.ali709]

@@kristjanrom9429 and you are a**hole

[@Ismail.ali709]

@@ayubyoboahmed6626 hooyada siilkeda qadhmuun anaa dhuuqa ina dhilo xamaarato di futada waynay e kudhashay was masiixi ayan ahy xaad qadi? Somalia halked se ka joogta iyo lanbarkaaga i sheg ana kuugu iman ciyaala buuf waxid

[@cloudsteps]

@@kristjanrom9429 like your miserable black heart

[@kristjanrom9429]

@@cloudsteps Bo it's red

[@ParikshitBhujbal]

Imagine if all holy places and not just the churches in Ethiopia , all around the world practiced this idea! :)

[@Visible-jb2ew]

Everyone does this already but raw look is new

[@brucedownunda7054]

Imagine

[@nitinbean1]

Look up sacred forests. It us practiced all over the world

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

British churchyards contain ancient protected trees. They are often quite impressive.

[@je-freenorman7787]

Fuck off, The church is Satanic. They lie to you

[@AlexPresa]

Love from 🇨🇦, so beautiful to see the traditions of Ethiopian Christians, God bless you all, and please continue to share these. I think its so important to broaden our perspectives of brothers and sisters around the world!

[@salbert1478]

Thank4sentnewcurch

[@pranz2984]

Ethiopia never cease to amaze me with how much extraordinary stuff they have! From an already beautiful amazimg culture heritage and has some of the most astounding churches in the world! What a pleasures to see this video such a beautiful piece!

[@Belioyt]

Europeans never colonised Ethiopia. To colonise a people is to tell them their culture and traditions are savage and barbaric AND that the coloniser's traditions and culture is superior. Now, we have TV shows and movies that continues to tell Africa and the rest of non-western countries that their cultures and traditions are barbaric. Instead of nations colonising nations we have big multinational corporations doing it

[@wstm3399]

the source of everything we have is our religion if u really try to ask deeply the route of every cultural thing we have or somethings we do , you find it ultimately being related with the religion.

[@89technical]

I have been to many great cathedrals and churches. I've never seen such a sacred place until now. Glory to God in the Highest. And Peace to His people on Earth.

[@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep]

a grove around a holy site is extremely pagan and condemned by God in the bible.

[@paulthebohemian]

Scriptures please. And what's interesting is when God created life where he placed humans is in a garden with fruit trees a "grove"@@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep

[@LincolnDWard]

@@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep source?

[@watchmansascha4764]

In the bible there is no such thing as a holy place on earth for a Christian. We don't have a temple as true Christians. Our body is the temple of God, if indeed we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. The biblical "church" is not a building or institution, but a congregation of believers. Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 15:1-4; Eph 2:8-9; Rom 3:23-26

[@Allyourheroswenttohell]

​​@@WaterspoutsOfTheDeepthere were never pagans. Your religion is the same as those you look down upon. Historically the people only worshipped one God. They worshipped God within the animals. Not the animals, and they definitely didn't worship any kind of diety. The catholic church made it up and killed them to hide where the stories came from and what they meant. You don't even know what that book is lol.

[@justdoingitjim7095]

My three acre property in Texas use to be all forests as was all of my neighbor's land. Clearing the forests for agriculture and grazing land has also decimated these forests as well. But, after a few decades the trees on my property are coming back. I have three distinct patches we call "The Wilderness." We don't cut, mow or disturb these areas at all and we now have trees in each one over 55 feet tall. The dense undergrowth is home to many wild creatures as is the tops of the trees themselves. I can walk through these patches of forest and imagine what all of the area around me looked like a century ago. If you just leave it alone Mother Nature will reclaim man's devastation and return it to it's proper place.

[@Trump2024asw]

I've noticed this process everywhere I've lived and I've been around. Although I must say florida seems to have a spead up version of this mabye the tropical climate.

[@Don_Julio805]

“Man’s devastation “? That’s the white mans devastation and the white mans only. Stop blaming all humans as many are living one with nature.

[@rickh3714]

Except not all plants are in their natural setting. In NZ it is a never ending battle of Manuka, Nikau Palms, Totara, NZ Flax etc against introduced Argentinian Pampas, Scottish Gorse, Kenyan Kikuyu grass, Californian Monterey Wilding Pines. Cyclone Gabrielle brought devastation this year to wide areas when the M.pine forestry slash filled our rivers and harbours.

[@Graahk-r8u]

Texas sucks, entirely private land. Nothing public to enjoy in that state.

[@margaretthemagnificent]

@@Trump2024asw Exactly, it’s a subtropical climate, meaning it almost never freezes. Temperate climates (four seasons) force plants to stop growing to endure winter. If the climate doesn’t freeze, plants have no obligation to stop growing. Hence, the “sped up” growth rate.

[@Sami-dp5ss]

“When someone plants a tree 🌲 and every time it moves the tree prays for that person to live longer”. How Amazing 😉 it is! Beautiful video to watch

[@danber4356]

Its cute but who said so...

[@chrisduff5619]

@@danber4356 Not God, that's for sure. Great to care for creation as we should, but most of the theology in this clip is pretty unbiblical.

[@darcie7773]

Messed up theology

[@jabujolly9020]

Actually if you read the Bible in Hebrew you'll see that this theology is very biblical.

[@claymcdermott718]

Chris Duff It's personification. He doesn't actually believe trees pray. The Bible is full of such language. The trees are called to praise God repeatedly in the Psalms. The maintenance of the trees is a prayer for these Christians. So, they pray that God would bless them for each time the tree moves.

[@zoekenny3619]

I really love these stories about individuals standing against the tide of apathy and taking the steps within their reach to make a difference. That is what we should all do.

[@je-freenorman7787]

I hate the lies of religion. I like the true spirit. You follow Satan. Religion is all Satanic. Religion is our curse, The church is a scam

[@marcblank3036]

yes, start with islands and slowely reclaim the land

[@marcblank3036]

@@je-freenorman7787 what do you believe in?

[@je-freenorman7787]

@@marcblank3036 It doesn't matter what I believe. I never hold onto beliefs. Hopefully by the end of the day, I have answered more questions and let go of more beliefs.

[@je-freenorman7787]

@@marcblank3036 There is something that hu- man can not prove is there. Its something for us, that we may never measure

[@rainmbt3855]

Amen brothers and sisters!! From Catholic European brother in Christ's name!

[@stefanschleps8758]

Thank you EM. God bless the Ethiopian Church, the Ethiopian forest, and the Ethiopian people. May you always be in the grace of the Most High. Hallelujah!!!

[@tigistgetenet5467]

True, the contributions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church are immense indeed!!!

[@mikegeorge5471]

Thank you for sharing this great Church story. There are 1000s of great monasteries and churches the world needs to see and get blessing both in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Keep it up!

[@je-freenorman7787]

Church is the worst place in the world , More people have died from Religion, than anything else. Religion is a curse. Its a scam Get rid of it

[@fusion9619]

@@je-freenorman7787 look up how many people Stalin killed, then look up how many people Mao killed. They thought as you do.

[@je-freenorman7787]

@@fusion9619 I dont think like them at all you fool. Blame yourself. Ass wipe.

[@mizmzappamizmzappa9548]

@@je-freenorman7787 Don’t think the beliefs kill millions it’s the evil individuals who take these beliefs and twist and manipulate them to justify doing evil to others and that includes destroying : plants, animals, humans, and the environment. If we and that includes me try to repent. Maybe we and our beautiful planet can be saved and resurrected to its full glory. G. B W. Y.

[@je-freenorman7787]

@@mizmzappamizmzappa9548 No, Trust me, Its the Beliefs. The law of Mentalism states that before any action can take place, a thought MUST be generated first. So the rulers can arrive at the Point of Thought, to gain control of peoples actions. They create false beliefs and allow people to walk into their OWN slavery. Thats how the Nazis did it too. We also saw Nazis, use Sondercommando, who were Jews, that were promised rewards, to get others Jews to walk to their own deaths. Its all Dark Occultism. Government is a religious cult

[@alittlefreedom]

I got a legit emotional reaction from this.. My God, so beautiful

[@y.harveynorman1392]

Much respect to you. What a beautiful tradition the Ethiopian church has with trees and forest!

[@oki5072]

I love Ethiopia, as Ethiopia is a Country which mentioned in The Bible. Love from Indonesian Christian...

[@ቦጊዜለኩሉ-በ4ቘ]

❤❤😊

[@SuperlunarNim]

The man in the beginning has a very beautiful manner of speaking.

[@josephpaul8874]

What a profound man, and what a humble persona... And the cinematography is top class. Great show! Brought a smile on my face

[@ፍሬእግዚዕደስታ]

እነዚህ እጽዋት ጠብቀው ላቆዮልን አባቶቻችን እናቶቻችኝ ክብረት ያድልልን። ዶክተር ዓለማየሁ ዋሴ በእጅጉ እግዚአብሔር ይስጠልን። በረከተ አበው ያሳድርብኽ።

[@orzelmorze5586]

What a form of scripture is it? I recognize Phoenician letters and archaic Greek letters but this is not canonical Greek nor Phoenician

[@jeanclaudejunior]

@@orzelmorze5586 it's Amharic. A native writing system of Ethiopia

[@mwanikimwaniki6801]

@@orzelmorze5586 Ge'ez script used to write Amharic, Tigrinya etc

[@the_fam]

@@mwanikimwaniki6801 this is specifically amharic it has extra words ቸሸቨዠጨ and many more.

[@mwanikimwaniki6801]

@@the_fam He asked the kind of script. So I answered that

[@tim.a.k.mertens]

This is beautiful. While the bible usually uses the metaphor of a shepherd tending to a flock of sheep, the metaphor and actual practice of maintaining and protecting a forest is just as rich.

[@lornalafontaine6434]

Such beautiful, poetic sentiments for church , forests and faith! It all grows from their ancient Christian faith.

[@hardtailhardtrails]

I love the icons. It's crazy how many different Christian traditions have such beautiful and diverse depictions of our Lord and His saints.

[@downbntout]

Reminds me of the old Christmas song "Some children see him brown ...black ...white..."

[@caudillohispanista8988]

Ethiopia was one the first nations to embrace the Christian faith. The Orthodox Church still exists to this very day.

[@aulenebeckford6268]

I thought the churches wasn't to have images.

[@jhonywalker1168]

3D idols are not allowed but paintings are@@aulenebeckford6268

[@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep]

@@aulenebeckford6268 They aren't to have images, nor are they to have groves aka a garden it's a pagan practice extremely condemned by God in the bible.

[@bige1560]

I like that church in the middle of a forest Garden of Eden May God bless that little place

[@weemac4645]

That would be a first,he wouldn't be arsed.

[@dezoznitry1640]

God bless you.big support from Slovakia..

[@WelfareChrist]

stumbling across a video like this is exactly why I love KZbin. The idea of a 'Church Forest' seems so completely obvious that it's almost insulting that it's not a more widely adopted practice, it's such a beautiful idea. Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity really resonates with me, out of all the established denominations it strikes me as the closest to the original gnostic teachings of early Christians.

[@williamashley7147]

This is truly a beautiful set of practices. But I think it is best said that Gnostics hated the physical world, and particularly, women. The original Christians weren't Gnostics, and Christian mysticism isn't Gnosticism. If you'd like to see a Gnostic presentation of "Christianity", read the Gospel of Thomas. You might find that it has nothing to do with Christianity or with anything actually societally desirable. It's not kind to women or nature. It's not kind to the body. It's doesn't give us a savior who actually knows us or can sympathize with us because he cannot be one of us - most Gnostic texts from something approximating Christian tradition work to iterate or imply that Jesus's body wasn't real because a good God cannot be a part of the physical universe, and for the universe to be restored to goodness, it must be abolished entirely; distinction and division must be eliminated; women must become men to be saved. In this perspective, rising above the sufferings and evil in this world demands not that we enter in with true love or care but that we hate creation. That's not Christianity, and it doesn't seem like it would make good gardeners.

[@WelfareChrist]

@@williamashley7147 I use it as shorthand for preinstitutional Christianity - no form of which is particularly kind to women. Gnostic Christian’s also weren’t monolithic there were many sects that aggressively disagreed on a number of things aside from the whole rejection of materiality which they all had in common

[@ReplyToMeIfUrRetarded]

“ethiopian orthodox christianity” They’re oriental and are schismatics. they arent even part of our Church. please, stop.

[@boobus11]

@@williamashley7147Perfectly expressed. Thank you.

[@user-cz1gu8nl9o]

@@williamashley7147 wow. Thanks for the heads up. That means it teaches the exact opposite of what Jesus taught which was to love god and yourself as your neighbor. It's so simple yet most christians don't practice that at all. Lol

[@irenemunhanga4290]

This is so beautiful, God bless Africa 🙏🏽

[@Tyler.i.81]

I would love to go to Ethiopia one day its beautiful.

[@Michael_______]

Been wanting to go for a decade now lol

[@samueljeyanessan8353]

Taylor and Michael, what are we waiting for guys? Shall we meet up to visit this place?

[@imraduin]

It's so sad that it used to be almost all forest and now it's just these small, small spots... tragic

[@juanpena7436]

Respect to my Ethiopian brothers

[@pedicabfilms8791]

the fact that everything else looks like a desert just shows how destructive humans can be. i hope they keep the forests!!!

[@rdluciano]

Yeah! Let's kill all those horrible humans who destroy forests to plant food!! Despicable beings!

[@kezzatries]

@@rdluciano you may be being sarcastic. But you speak the truth unknowingly. Life is precious but not just for us humans

[@joeblack4436]

@@rdluciano Overreaction. Nobody said anything about killing except you. There are ways to grow food with less impact. Turning your country into a desert with poor yield is a bad way.

[@laaaliiiluuu]

@@joeblack4436 I guess vertical farming will solve the space issue in the future so nature can spread horizontally again and restore the natural ecosystem that we humans also rely on.

[@spacegrim5504]

Arizona is example

[@andycockrum1212]

Can’t believe how few subscribers this channel has. It’s top notch. I’m glad I found it

[@alancadieux2984]

When God created mankind he did say, "please look after this esrth, and take care of it." There is a measure of obedience showing here.✝️

[@suzannehartmann946]

When God created man he put him in a garden and told him to tend it and the trees.

[@alancadieux2984]

@@suzannehartmann946 he gave mankind dominion over the whole earth, and everything on it.

[@kaisertreu6276]

Could you give the exact Bible verse please? I'm interested.

[@alancadieux2984]

@@kaisertreu6276 I read: The Holy Bible in its Original Order. As translated by Fred R Coulter. Genesis capter 1 vs 26, 27,28 chapter 2 vs 15 you can find the free app on the google play store for mobile devices. Chapter 3 vs 1 mentions the the devil being more intelligent and tricky than any beast of the field that God had made, but no measure of authority is given to him, mankind had dominion given from God. This is significant as the current standing status, but so many walk right past it as though it were never there.

[@MrWeedWacky]

how do you know that, were you there?

[@karl-wilhelmwredemeyer6075]

This is very nice. It reminds me of the first churches in Germany, when Father Wulfila was stil on earth. May God send blessings to this great country Ethiopia. One day I will travel to this country, when Baptism of Christ is celebrated.

[@andreamarr7213]

What a beautiful piece of wisdom. Thank you for sharing your beautiful Cathedral forest. ❤🇨🇦❤

[@je-freenorman7787]

You're a total moron. There is no knowledge here. Its all Dogma. Religion destroys the world.

[@nodigBKMiche]

@@je-freenorman7787 by the looks of things here, farming is going to destroy their world...Religion, is not innocent, but trees certainly are, & vital to humanity, and all living creatures🙏🏼💛

[@javasroe6541]

I feel the same - wisdom and beauty merged together !!!! 😇

[@lillian9221]

Amazing, one always hears of the droughs and hunger but now I can see the difference between protecting God's creation and the misuse of it.

[@je-freenorman7787]

Church is the scam. They are the false authority.

[@janesmith9024]

Wonderful. We have about 15,000 people from Ethiopia in the UK including 10,000 here in London. It is a very interesting country. We have similar issues in the UK but use things like conservation areas to preserve gardens and land. Most of us all across the world are attracted to trees. I go into my garden to be under and with them.

[@je-freenorman7787]

Terrible Religion is the worst thing for humans. Religion is the Bane of Human existence. Its all lies

[@livingminimumwage6359]

@@je-freenorman7787 I think it's all bullshit too but this video is proof that it's not all bad.

[@je-freenorman7787]

@@livingminimumwage6359 I come from the school, of no good or bad but, this is all "Dark" Occultism. Its not light at all. SUPER DARK. They are taking us "Back to the Future" to the New Dark Ages. I do fear a lot more horror and sorrow is still to come.

[@jarlathbyrne3146]

Greetings from Dublin Ireland. Thanks for sharing this inspirational video Jarlath Byrne

[@je-freenorman7787]

Is all BULLSHIT. The church is the one destroying the world. Religion is a curse

[@Michael_______]

@@je-freenorman7787 please stop yelling. You're upsetting the children. Thanks

[@brandondumont7223]

@@je-freenorman7787 when you look into the hate you've fallen for the bait.

[@elysiumnat2958]

This is such a beautiful film. My eyes are being opened to this wonderful country and it’s rich history 🥰

[@fusion9619]

If churches in the US were like this, they'd never be able to get me out of church.

[@Visible-jb2ew]

The US don’t like people with headscarf’s yet their religious people wear scarfs....

[@fusion9619]

@@Visible-jb2ew lol the US has no problem with headscarves. Stop trolling.

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

@@fusion9619 I watch footage of churches in the US . What I see reminds me of the Namibian San religions. The trance dance motif is strikingly familiar. In Haiti we see the halfway point between Christianity & San rituals with Voodoo. U.S. Christianity presents a bizarre & alien spectacle to the rest of Christendom by comparison .

[@fusion9619]

@@anvilbrunner.2013 it's bizarre to Americans too. It didn't used to be that way.

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

@@fusion9619 Some of it has spread to the cities in the UK too. Some traditional Parish ministries have opted to merge with American style Pentecostal & Baptists. They have strange wish fulfilment, ritual magic ceremonies in the name of Jesus. Saw it in person. Like sabotage against Protestantism. But no change in Ethiopia at least.

[@pstathopulos]

I was told by an academic ethicist that Christianity is at the roots of our ecological crisis (echoing Lyn White). I respectfully told him he knows not what he speaks of. Being an Orthodox Christian myself, I was well aware of how Christian ethics overlaps with environmental ethics. I just wish that I could have showed him this video! Much love to my Ethiopian brothers and sisters, and all the children of God.

[@jessie3553]

I shall pray and imagine this forest reaches the 4 corners of the Earth. May God bless each soul and each sprout of the forest. 🌻🌼🌷⚘🌱🌲🌳🌴🌵🌾🌿☘🍀🍁🍂🍃💐🌸💮🏵🌹🥀🌺🐝🐜🐛🦋🐌🦎🐢🐍🦚🦜🦉🦅🦆🕊👣 after all God is in everything and everything is God

[@HickoryDickory86]

The sentiment is appreciated, for sure, but that's pantheism, and Orthodoxy is not pantheistic. God is the Creator and Lord of creation, but he is not creation nor is creation him. There is coming a time (the new heavens and new earth) when the glory and grace of God will infuse and pervade everything in all of creation, and so in a sense the new creation will be panentheistic, but that is not the present state of things. As things are now, we still live in a fallen and corrupt world. But it is being redeemed, and that redemption began with Jesus Christ.

[@lornalafontaine6434]

@@HickoryDickory86 Seeing God's love and presence in His creation is not pantheism, and neither is displaying poetic in the presence of beauty.

[@Invictus357]

The fact that they are teaching the farmers the benefits of planting trees is a good thing. Trees enhance agriculture, by providing microclimates, that mitigate top soils from blowing away. This wonderful video, has moved me to plant more trees on my small 20 acres, here in Australia. Inspired!

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Sanctuary for people to see Gods beauty. Everything is part of everything. Brilliant.

[@pranz2984]

I want to find a full length documentary regarding this! It's so fascinating and intriguing! I want more!

[@DChristina]

Beautiful video, thank you from an Orthodox Christian in Oregon ❤️

[@kachiu]

Holy Site gains +1 faith for each adjacent woods tile.

[@dees.7523]

🤣🤣🤣🤣Lol

[@80krauser]

I understand this reference!

[@forestflute6217]

🤣🤣🤣

[@KatieKamala]

Gorgeous culture and video thanks for sharing. God bless the people of Ethiopia who are protecting Mother Nature.

[@sajucdaniel8872]

Love Ethiopia - From indian Orthodox church community

[@Anhorish]

If Egypt wants more Nile water they should help reforest the Ethiopian Highlands.

[@forceforgood4669]

You have said it well brother. God bless you. The church kept the seeds, so when we come to our senses we can plant again.

[@je-freenorman7787]

Screw you and your fake religion. You're a moron. All of you dolts and your beliefs are morons. Your religion is Satanic

[@forceforgood4669]

@@je-freenorman7787 Rare foul mouthed fools cannot be avoided.

[@je-freenorman7787]

@@forceforgood4669 Its not rare. Its a learned behavior. Anger is also a precious gift, when used correctly. Given to us for protection. Try not to ignore it. Ya?

[@je-freenorman7787]

@@forceforgood4669 Lets just hope you understand English?

[@forceforgood4669]

@@je-freenorman7787 “precious gif?”what is the profit?

[@oliverburton993]

Cattle grid walls are apart of the UK's National Trust, who have a huge surplus of volunteers willing to learn, replace and mend the walls and grids of its Lands, to preserve and nourish every gram of Nature.

[@ETBeMore]

Church compounds in Ethiopia are filled with big mature trees. It feels like heaven on earth. My amazing Ethiopia ❤

[@shirleymyahs_dghtr8182]

I pray that the good Father above will allow the church forest to survive for 100's of years to come. A beautiful green space. Yah bless you all.

[@marc-andrechevrette3420]

One day I'll visit Ethiopia. Hello from Canada.

[@soyosuki]

I fell in love with Ethiopia, its history, culture, and incredibly kind/ generous people years ago and I still keep coming back. You'll love it. Cheers, from a fellow Canadian.

[@solomonreal1977]

@@soyosuki if you so loved Ethiopia, why then, did you not, marry it? A rare snarky Canadian has emerged!

[@brooksagod5021]

Trust me when I say Eritrea is more beautiful than Ethiopia I have been to both and also from Ontario Canada

[@XD152awesomeness]

He deftly describes emergent properties from the interaction of smaller parts. He truly has an impressive grasp. This is someone to pay attention to.

[@tube-roha]

We have to say thank you for Dr. Alemayehu Wasee the documentary maker, he is one of the most church historian in Ethiopia and his books are priceless😘 .... again thank you Dr. Alemayehu🙏

[@pdc4930]

The forest around the Church mimicking the Garden of Eden is kind of an interesting idea.

[@jussikankinen9409]

Thats the story idea humans destroy forest

[@Window4503]

It's in line with biblical history. God's blueprints for the Jerusalem temple weren't random. They were also a reflection of Eden. In fact the majority of ancient temples have some tieback to the Garden. The Church in that sense is highly traditional, not unique.

[@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep]

It's not an interesting idea it's a pagan idea to have groves around a holy site and God condemns it big time in the bible.

[@retro-orthodox]

@@WaterspoutsOfTheDeepGenesis 21:33: And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God. Maybe… just maybe… the issue is one of abuse by planting groves in imitation of sacred groves made by pagans, and not groves in and of themselves? It makes sense why it would have been forbidden in Deuteronomy as part of many of other ceremonial laws that were meant to help the Israelites distinguish themselves from the surrounding nations, but those religions from the time of the Torah are long gone and ceremonial laws like this, not eating shellfish, or even wearing fringes with blue on your clothes no longer apply.

[@Avoidiac]

@@retro-orthodox I believe it's "Thou shalt not plant groven images".

[@oceejekwam6829]

They have an abundance of wisdom in that land.

[@YordanosF]

Amazingly!

[@pankajsharma7972]

Wisdom?

[@ericbrown333]

Apparently not! Just look at the environmental destruction as far as the eye can see!

[@oceejekwam6829]

I never said it's "all encompassing".

[@je-freenorman7787]

Church and religion are all lies. Its a deception. sorry. Your religion is Satanic. They fooled you. They fool everyone.

[@saksija1987]

Kudos to all that contributed to making of this video.Some very powerful photography.The sudden ending was sudden tho.Thank you

[@Isaac_Draw]

I am from Ethiopia , the blessed county

[@eastanglianlife5461]

Ethiopian orthodox church is one of the oldest in the world they have extra books in their Bible

[@LIBqueen]

Wow didn't know that! Thanks

[@maltygoodness2]

The Ark of Covenant is believed to be kept in Ethiopia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ark_of_the_Covenant

[@HickoryDickory86]

Being old and having more books in their canon aren't correlative. Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy (including Ethiopian Tewahedo) are of equal ages... from a certain point of view. Orthodoxy is the most ancient, Apostolic form of Christianity wherever it is found. That is, unless you count the Fourth Ecumenical Council (the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451) as the beginning date of the Oriental (including Ethiopian) Churches, since that's when they broke away and became "Oriental." The Ethiopian Church has always had a larger canon of Scripture, though, even before Chalcedon. That's simply because they accepted some books as canonical that the other churches elsewhere did not. The books of 1 Enoch and Jubilees are two examples. In some places Revelation wasn't accepted; it others, Hebrews wasn't; in still others, the letters of Peter; and on it goes. The development of the canon took centuries; not everyone had the same canon at all times. Nearly all of the books in the Ethiopian canon were known to and cited by Church Fathers outside of Ethiopia as well, so they're not necessarily unique to Ethiopia; they just were not regarded by the rest of the Church as belonging in the Bible. But whether they are in the Bible or not is not really all that great of a concern within Orthodoxy in general because the Bible is only part of the wider Apostolic tradition. It should also be noted that for much of its history, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church was under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Alexandria, and was represented by him in the Ecumenical Councils. After Chalcedon, the parallel structure of Coptic Church of Alexandria was erected with its own Patriarch (the Coptic Pope of Alexandria) to oppose what now is called the Greek Orthodox Patriarch. The Ethiopian Church followed the Coptics in rejecting Chalcedon, adopting at that time the name "Tewahedo." Only relatively recently were they given autocephaly and granted their own patriarchate by the Coptic Papacy. The Ethiopians do, however, have their own unique versions of some of those books, such as the Ethiopian Maccabees, and I would like to get my hands on an English translation one day.

[@HickoryDickory86]

@drag0nfly_girl The Ethiopians always had a larger canon than the rest of the church, but that's only because they regarded as canonical books that others did not. No one "removed" any books from the widely accepted canon of the whole church until the Protest Reformation against Roman Catholicism, where the Protestants rejected the Deuterocanon/Apocrypha. That was a Western phenomenon, to be sure, but it wasn't the Western church rejecting what the Ethiopians had accepted, as you make it out to seem. The Ethiopians always accepted more than everyone else; and what the Protestants rejected was the Apocrypha.

[@gashawdesalegn9071]

what does extra means?

[@indirakuriyan9366]

Such a wonderful vision. Yes, I do believe that God would want that everywhere that Christians live, the lands and surroundings would return to the pre-lapsarian Eden. That the rest of Creation would also have a salvific stewardship, is surely from the heart of God. Very blessed by this video, love from India.

[@texasmr]

What a wonderful worthwhile effort. May they continue in steadfastness and peace.

[@caterinaayele]

These places ... make me cry 😭😭

[@senitesfa6273]

Why?

[@teddyyimermariyezeethiopia878]

The Ethiopian orthodox church ⛪️ served as the only one institution for many years in the past !! It is through church that the Ethiopian become as one , obey order and defeat the invader Italy 🇮🇹 at the battle of adwa !!! Making Ethiopian a free nation 💚💛❤️✊🏽

[@mentesnotmare8585]

Thank you Dr. Alemayehu Wassie 🙏

[@averyshaw2142]

Such a unique and fascinating country that isn't talked about enough

[@anoopmathen4566]

Ethiopian Christians have preserved their beliefs beautifully.

[@anoopmathen4566]

@drag0nfly_girl I know,like a phoenix they will rise again .

[@carlcann9119]

What can be learned by one, can be learned by all. Thanks be to God.

[@je-freenorman7787]

You can learn too. Religion is a scam. They fool you. and You believe them. Religion is a curse

[@cheremichael367]

@@je-freenorman7787 Tut tut!! Attacking believers still?? 😂😂😂

[@bircruz555]

Great Job, the Activist! Conserving forests is a worthy human goal.

[@malibudolphin3109]

Conserving the Human Soul is the most worthy of goals Lord Jesus Christ have mercy.

[@snowrider4495]

Secular humanist goal!

[@Visible-jb2ew]

@@malibudolphin3109 you realize how these women wear head scarfs and the west doesn’t....

[@thegodfather_8455]

@@Visible-jb2ew in traditional Catholicism and Catholicism today they still wear headscarves or veils

[@Visible-jb2ew]

@@thegodfather_8455 shouldn’t be just Catholics it should be every Christian women if they follow it correctly

[@morningstar.eveningstar]

praying it will expand!!! harvest seeds and start seedlings to grow the forest! God protect this forest.

[@JordanBeagle]

It's a tragedy of the commons situation too, because the more deforestation happens the more, erosion occurs and good soil is blown away - Amazing that they have the opportunity to have little paradises around there churches

[@nathangale7702]

This is a really beautiful video, thanks so much!

[@Enshadowed]

It's so good to see these church forests and it's so sad to see the encroaching deserts that once were forests.

[@donessamuel3603]

PRAISE GOD for those people who sincerely serve HIM ..not fiction .

[@jasdevsingh3945]

Amazing story and fantastic cinematography, could see a little Baraka in it.

[@Jackjohnjay]

Hello brothers in Christ! What a gorgeous tradition ❤

[@Gailafathersjoy]

Wishing you the best for the forest. God bless Ethiopia. 🙏

[@Vipin_PV]

In south of india we have the concept of Kavu temples... there are like deities placed in thick forest left untouched for most time of the year, it creates an ecosystem of its own

[@katrinamichelsen7806]

My church in america has some forest around it, with a small loop trail with icons on some of the trees, and a stream runs through the forest.

[@rehaankatvaar394]

I wish i could come to help rebuild the church forest, this is amazing to see. God and nature are connected to each other Thanks for sharing. Blessings.

[@je-freenorman7787]

They burn down churches as scam, so you can rebuild them. They burn their OWN church, to control YOUR beliefs. Religion is all Satanic

[@Black-lioness]

And there is nothing as pleasurable as stand for worship in these church you connect with God and nature.. chipping bird’s...

[@rr7firefly]

This beautiful and inspirational video stops me in my tracks because of the conceptual purity of the hybrid "church + forest" and for the ecological message communicated. It's the perfect prototype for designing creative or reflective environments.

[@ThatGardener]

I love Ethiopia it’s full of history beauty good food and people.

[@Janine11155]

This expresses the heart of ancient Christianity

[@phyroukann3764]

Farmers, put a trenches around your fields to catch the rain waters. These trenches can be as deep to your knees, and as large as a body insizes. They could be much larger and deeper,depending on the person desires. Just be careful with it . Village, you needs a giant pond to capture the rain waters. Where? The piece of land that no one are using, that are just sitting there and not doing nothing. Thank you very much. Please stay strong, and stay healthy. Good lucks, and God blesses you.

[@puraLusa]

That's step one of permaculture that restores natural habitats.

[@acajutla]

It's almost desert, seldom rains. And the ponds would be dry in no time in the heat.

[@puraLusa]

@@acajutla not if you plant native trees around them. Search permaculture and what people have achieved thru this method.

[@acajutla]

@@puraLusa Step one is to stop having ten children when you can hardly feed yourself. If you can't get that first step in your head then permaculture is way beyond the horizon.

[@puraLusa]

@@acajutla how do the two subjects relate?

[@getnethaile3978]

Excellent documentary. Thank you so much Dr Alemayehu for the wonderful narration

[@lidiyagetachew4710]

Thanks and keep sharing please.

[@bealtainecottage]

it made me cry to see the trees all huddled around, trying to protect one another from the destruction that abounds outside the walls.

[@floridanaturalfarming3367]

Wow what a beautiful, powerful video. Thank you.

[@scottmccoy127]

So beautiful. God is making all things new! The Church is called to partner with Him in the renewal of all things. What a beautiful example of this.

[@fikresbezabih1039]

congratulation one love 🌲🌲🌲Beautiful video God bless Ethiopia , c'es beau bonne continuation

[@theselectiveluddite]

Thank you for that wonderful docco. And thank you for not interrupting it with ads. I just came from another video that had an ad of some sort every minute! All the best.