Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion is a significant church of Ethiopia as it claims to have the original Ark of Covenant. It is located in Axum in the Tigray Province, Ethiopia. Originally, the old structure of the church was built during the reign of Ezana in the 4th century and was later rebuilt several times.
The architecture of the church reflects the Syrian influence that consists of a square like structure enclosed by a colonnade used by priests. Fortress-like walls of the church depict several stages of violent past that occurred around the church. The interior of the church is decorated with murals and paintings. Inside the church lies the Vestibule that is only accessible to females and next to it is the Holy of Holies that is publically not accessible. The main feature of the church is the Ark of Covenant that contains Tablets of stone but it was later shifted to the chapel adjacent to the old church. Only the guardian monk can view the Ark according to the Biblical accounts. The front view of the church contains a large painting representing the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve Apostles and the Holy Trinity.
Image Source : Flickr