About Our Church

Historical Background

The historic birthing of the St. Mary of Zion Tigray Orthodox Tewahedo Church was celebrated on [[Inaugration date]] at our new location in Chicago. The congregation was blessed enough to receive generous donations from overwhelming support of the Tigrayans and our well-wishers so we could call this building our new home.
The new congregation was formed of the Tigrayan community — some newly immigrated and some who have been here for years — of similar ancestral and cultural heritage that came together and formed a new Church.

cross for use Orthodox Church for Tigrayan Community in Chicago

Our Mission & Vision

Vision of Our Journey of Faith

The New Congregation made the covenant with God and one another on the historic birth of the Church. The convenant was that this congregation would plan to develop, nurture and provide ministries within the frame-work of the St. Mary of Zion Tigray Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Chicago.

Vision Objectives

There are many immigrants and expanding Tigray families here in Chicago that need assimilation. The community members need linkages with each other for culturalization, socialization, and support for the expression of their Christian faith, withness and mission.
The major focus of the ministry of the St. Mary of Zion Tigray Orthodox Tewahedo Church is to provide a ministry of Word and Sacrament. The importance of this congregation is that it provides the opportunity to worship in their own language in an environment sensitive to their cultural background. A secondary ministry is offered in conjunction with worship is the opportunity for fellowship and the natural “networking” process that occurs when church gathers for sharing and caring.

Mission Statement

To enable the promotion and enhancement of the Tigray Orthodox Tewahedo Christanity - which was upheld and passed over to followers by the forefathers among followers who reside in and around Edmonton with the view to maintain, spread and pass it over to succeeding generations.
To conduct and maintain services of divine worship and religious observance according to the traditions and values of the Tigrayan Orthodox Tewahedo Church. To offer Orthodox Tewahedo religious services every Sunday and other Orthodox holidays.
To give services that bolster love and unity among the laity; to expand the sense of Tigrayanism and love for their country via rendering cultural and educational services that will argument religious values.
To establish and maintain a Church of religious worship in accordance with the teachings of Christianity as adopted by the Tigrayan Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
To provide spiritual and cultural programs in order to increase understanding of the history, culture, languages and values of Tigray.
To Provide Baptism, Christening, Marriage and Burial rites (Faith) to the followers of the Orthodox Tewahdo Christianity faith.
To guard, protect and monitor ecclesiastical objects and properties of the church.
To perform peacemaking/keeping tasks displaying unrelenting efforts intended for the well being of all Tigrayans in Tigray and outside of Tigray, particularly those who are weakened and in need; to make sure that their basic human rights such as religious freedom are met and respected. Furthermore, to cooperate as necessary with the relevant institutions for the retention of global peace and security.
To build a strong orthodox community that promotes the teachings of Our Lord and loving one another and that does not condone ethnicism, tribalism or racism.

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The ethnic war in Ethiopia targeting the Tigrayan population in a genocidal campaign has also forced a separation of the Diaspora Tigrayans from their former Ethiopian communities. This is not only here in Chicago but around the world. Tigrayans are now without a place to worship or gather as a community. The Chicagoland Orthodox Tigrayan population has formed St Mary’s Zion Church and in partnership with the Chicagoland Tigrayan Community are seeking to raise $200,000.00 to purchase a building located at 4335 W. Lawrence in Chicago, as their future Church and Community home.

To help us in this endeavor we are seeking immediate assistance as we are limited in our time to raise this $200,000.00. This purchase will allow us to come together in one place and in the future to be able to assist those in need as you are assisting us in our time of need.

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