ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Tabot

Tabot is a special object or symbol used in some Ethiopian Orthodox Christian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church communities. The word "tabot" comes from the Ge'ez language, which is an ancient Semitic language used in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Imagine you are playing house and you have a special toy that you play with when you want to pretend you are having a special ceremony or celebration. This is kind of like what a tabot is to the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church. It's a very important object that is used during religious ceremonies, like baptism, weddings, and funerals.

The tabot is usually a rectangular or square object made of wood or stone. It represents the Ark of the Covenant from the Bible, which was a special wooden chest that held the Ten Commandments and was believed to contain God's presence.

Every church has its own tabot that is kept in a special room called the Holy of Holies. The tabot is wrapped in a cloth to keep it protected and hidden from view when it's not being used for a holy ceremony.

During a religious ceremony, the tabot is taken out of the Holy of Holies and carried on the head of a priest or deacon who is dressed in special robes. This is done with great care and respect, as the tabot is considered very sacred.

Even though the tabot is just an object, it has a lot of meaning and importance to the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church. It represents a connection to their spiritual history and the presence of God in their lives.
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