Uma análise documental e historiográfica do duplo sabbath na Etiópia Cristã (séculos XIV-XVI)

Abstract

This work explores the implementation of the double Sabbath in Christian Ethiopia, encompassing both Saturday and Sunday, during the reign of Zarʾa Yāʿeqob (14341468). This practice was formalized at the 1450 council in Dabra Meṭmāq, as part of the centralizing policies of the ruler, who sought to strengthen governamental power and prevent possible separatism, particularly in northern regions influenced by the Eustathian movement. The movement, led by the monk ʾEwosṭātewos, advocated for the equal observance of both Saturday and Sunday, a practice that came into conflict with the ecclesiastical and political authorities of the Ethiopian Church, especially from the 14th century onwards. The thesis examines Ethiopian sources from the period to trace a chronology of references to the term "sanbat" (Sabbath) and the changes in its observance over the centuries. Among the sources analyzed, Zarʾa Yāʿeqob stands out for implementing policies that not only militarily but also culturally countered separatist movements in the northern part of the government. The northern regions, associated with the Eustathian movement, sought greater autonomy from the central Solomonic power, and religion played a crucial role in this conflict. The work is structured around a detailed historiographical analysis of the evolution of the Sabbath, both in the context of Christianity in general and Ethiopian Christianity specifically. The author examines how, in the early centuries of Christianity, there was an attempt to replace the observance of Saturday with Sunday, though this change was not universal, especially in Eastern Churches like the Ethiopian Church. In this context, Zarʾa Yāʿeqob was one of the main figures responsible for integrating the observance of the dual Sabbath into Ethiopian orthodoxy, consolidating monarchical power and promoting liturgical and doctrinal uniformity. The research methodology is based on the analysis of Ethiopian manuscripts from the 14th to the 16th centuries, as well as a review of relevant literature on the subject. The thesis argues that Zarʾa Yāʿeqob was successful in his centralizing actions, strengthening the monarchy and integrating the northern regions into the central authority through a combination of military force and religious control. Thus, the thesis contributes to the understanding of the intersections between religion and political power in Ethiopian history, highlighting the importance of the Sabbath observance in shaping Ethiopian Christianity.