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'Ark of the Covenant' about to be unveiled?
Ethiopian patriarch tells pope he will show artifact to world
Posted: June 24, 2009
9:35 pm Eastern

© 2009 WorldNetDaily


http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=102119


Ark of the Covenant as depicted in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (Paramount
Pictures)

The patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia says he will announce to the
world Friday the unveiling of the Ark of the Covenant, perhaps the world's most
prized archaeological and spiritual artifact, which he says has been hidden away
in a church in his country for millennia, according to the Italian news agency
Adnkronos.

Abuna Pauolos, in Italy for a meeting
with Pope Benedict XVI this week, told the news agency, "Soon the world will be
able to admire the Ark of the Covenant described in the Bible as the container
of the tablets of the law that God delivered to Moses and the center of searches
and studies for centuries."

The announcement is expected to be made at 2 p.m. Italian
time from the Hotel Aldrovandi in Rome. Pauolos will reportedly be accompanied
by Prince Aklile Berhan Makonnen Haile Sellassie and Duke Amedeo D'Acosta.


Abuna Pauolos, patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia

"The Ark of the Covenant is in Ethiopia for many centuries," said Pauolos. "As a
patriarch I have seen it with my own eyes and only few highly qualified persons
could do the same, until now."

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According to Pauolos, the actual Ark has been kept in one church, but to defend
the treasure, a copy was placed in every single church in Ethiopia.

(Story continues below)




He said a museum is being built in Axum, Ethiopia, where the Ark will be
displayed. A foundation of D'Acosta will fund the project.

The Ark of the Covenant is the sacred container of the Ten Commandments as well
as Aaron's rod and a sample of manna, the mysterious food that kept the
Israelites alive while wandering in the wilderness during their journey to the
promised land.

The Bible says the Ark was built to the specifications of God as He spoke to
Moses. It was carried in advance of the people and their army by priests. It was
also carried in a seven-day procession around the walled city of Jericho.


Sketch of Ark of the Covenant based on a description by the late explorer Ron
Wyatt (wyattmuseum.com)

The idea that the Ark is presently in Ethiopia is a well-documented, albeit
disputed, tradition dating back to at least 642 B.C. The tradition says it was
moved to Elephantine Island in Egypt, then to Tana Kirkos Island in Ethiopia and
finally to its present site at St. Mary's of Zion Church in Axum.

Ethiopians believe it is destined to be delivered to the Messiah when He reigns
on Mount Zion – the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 3:16 points to a time when the Ark will vanish not only physically, but
from the minds of the people: "And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied
and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no
more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind:
neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that
be done any more."

The Book of Revelation says the Ark is in the temple of God in heaven (Rev.
11:19). Muslim scholars say it will be found near the end of times by the Mahdi
– a messianic figure in Islam.

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