In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit One God

Ecclesiastical Constitution (Qale Awadee) of Parish Council Revised for the Fourth Time and Issued in 2009 E.C. to Strengthen the Unity and Administration of the Holy Church

Whereas, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) is required to be organized in parish council through the union of clergies and the faithful as per the pronouncement of proclamation No. 83/65, the first year, No. 1 Ecclesiastical Constitution (Qale Awadee) issued on Tikmit 15, 1965 E.C. (October 25, 1972); the revised Ecclesiastical Constitution (Qale Awadee) of the parish council issued on Miazia19, 1970 E.C. (April 27, 1978); the revised bylaw of the parish council issued on December 10, 1974 E.C.; the revised bylaw of the parish council issued on Ginbot 9, 1977 E.C. (May 17, 1985); and the bylaw revised for the third time and issued in 1991 E.C (1998) as well as the directives passed at different times required to be amended and combined together in one fold;

Whereas, the church is organized through the congregation of clergies and the faithful, and its being led by the parish council administration is not a new trend, rather it is of early times on the basis of church history and holy scriptures, particularly the texts in Acts of the apostles;

Whereas, being cognizant of its leadership and administration has been as per the law and practice deliberated and decided as well as passed through the council of apostles held at Jerusalem and considering that it has been led through the heads who have been spiritually nominated and elected by the congregation of clergies and followers general assembly (Acts of the Apostles, 6:1-6);

Whereas, by recognizing that the assets and property of the church are solicited from the contribution of the faithful to be mobilized for accomplishment of apostolic missions and supporting the destitute (Acts of the Apostles, 4:32, 5:11, 1 Cor. 16:1-11);

Whereas, by recognizing that disagreement, if happens with church administration, should be seen and resolved through spiritual justice;

Whereas, as provided in the Holy Scriptures (Leviticus 27:26-33, Deuteronomy 14:22, Numbers 18:20-29, Malachi 3:7-12, Wisdom of Sirach 7:31-32, 32:10-13, 1 Corinthians 16:1-5, Acts of the Apostles 4:32-36) to notify that it is the spiritual obligation of the clergies and the faithful that they pay the tithe for the temple of God and for its servants, the clergies, from every wealth and property they acquire;

Whereas, as a whole, in order to ensure that the church operates being led and organized by its own law and system in terms of administration, spiritual justice, service and economic issues;

Whereas, it is deemed essential to issue rules and regulations through the Holy Synod of the church that enable the parish councils that are already established and yet to be established at different levels to be reinforced with their respective legal framework, as well as the powers and functions of the various departments be identified properly;

With the help of the Most High God, Who is the owner of all of the laws, and as per its spiritual authority, the EOTC’s Holy Synod has issued the Qale Awadi (Ecclesiastical Constitution) presented as follows:

Article 1: Short Title
This Qale Awadi (Ecclesiastical Constitution) may be cited as The Parish Council “Qale Awadi” (Bylaw) revised for the fourth time and enacted in 2009 E.C. (2017) to strengthen the unity and administration of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

Article 2: Definitions
1. “Parish Council” means:
A) The parish council of the local church comprising clergies, the faithful, and the youth of the Sunday School, who can provide aids for the church with their knowledge, labor, and services, and who are also eligible to elect and be elected as members of the parish church administration council (Executive Committee) already established or yet to be established at local church level.
B) The Woreda (sub-city) parish council comprising clergies, the faithful, and the youth of Sunday School, who are representatives of each local church’s parish council, and who are eligible to elect and be elected as members of the Woreda parish administration council already established and yet to be established to expand and control the wealth and services of the locality
C) The archbishop diocese parish council comprising clergies, the faithful, and the youth of Sunday School, who are representatives of each Woreda parish administration council, and who are eligible to elect and be elected as members of the archbishop diocese parish administration council already established and yet to be established at diocese level
D) The Patriarchate General parish council (the national general council of church) comprising clergies, the faithful, and the youth of Sunday School, who are representatives of each archbishop diocese parish administration council, and who are eligible to elect and be elected as members of the Patriarchate Parish Administration Council (Executive Committee) already established and yet to be established.

2. “Parish administration council” means
An executive committee appointed by the respective parish councils already established and yet to be established at different levels, the local church, district, diocese, and the general patriarchate, for the services of the respective parish councils

3. “The parish church administrator” means:
1. Chief (teacher) of a monastery (The abbot)
2. The head of church
3. The chief priest or head appointed for rural church

4. “Manager” means:
A) Manager of Wereda diocese(district diocese)
B) Manager of the diocese

5. “General Manager” means
General Manager of the Head Diocese

Article 3: Establishment of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Parish Council

1. Parish council is established by the Qale Awadee (Ecclesiastical Constitution) from the patriarchate to the local church level under the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Holy Synod.

2. This Qale Awadee (Ecclesiastical Constitution) hereby imposes an obligation for the establishment of parish council at every place where the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Diocese offices exist.

3. Renown union monasteries are not obliged to establish a parish council as they are administered by monastery administrative rules and regulations enacted by the Holy Synod; exceptions may however be made depending on the area and the necessity thereof.

4. Parish councils established and to be established from local church and Woreda to the patriarchate level shall be accounted on behalf of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church as per articles 398 and 399 of the Ethiopian Civil Code.

5. City of the bishopric of each diocese shall be considered as one Woreda and shall establish its own parish council.

Article 4: Structure of Parish Councils

1. Parish Council of clergies and the faithful of the local church
2. Parish council of Woreda (district)
3. Parish council of the Archbishop diocese
4. The Patriarchate General Parish Council

Article 5: Objective of the Parish Council

The Parish Council will have the following objectives:

1. Protecting the Holy church and ensuring the accomplishment of its services;
2. Organizing church servants with apostolic functions and improving their skills and livelihoods;
3. Ensuring that the faithful become matured with spiritual knowledge and that they stay firm with faith and good deeds.
4. Strengthening church administration and enabling it to become economically self sufficient;

Article 6: Functions of the Parish Council

The parish council shall accomplish the following functions towards the realization its objectives:

1. Preach the gospel of God and expand its teaching;
2. Establish and organize spiritual and modern schools of church;
3. Deliver spiritual and social services to all followers;
4. Establish and strengthen Sunday schools;
5. Fulfill all those needs required for church service;
6. Ensuring that the administration and services of church are directed by spiritual laws and regulations;
7. Ensuring that the church become self-sufficient in terms of wealth and property;
8. Ensuring that the wealth and property of the church are recorded and inventoried and developed as per the rules and regulations enacted by the Holy Synod;
9. Ensuring the implementation of laws, rules, regulations, decisions, and orders passed by superiors as per the law of the church;
10. Ensuring that parish councils, whether they are near or far, collaborate and support each other
11. Establishing different welfare organizations and fulfilling their services;
12. Preparing plans and programs as well as supervising timely implementation of activities of building renovation and maintenance
13. Keeping timely record and reporting to the pertinent bodies of statistical data pertaining to the number of followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church as well as the property, finance, revenue and expenses and other related data;
14. Ensuring that all matters concerning the church are implemented as per this bylaw;
15. Assessing the functions mentioned from number 1 to 14 of this article, and acting accordingly, and when necessary collaborating with the concerned individuals and organizations to ensure that they are implemented;

Article 7: Formation and Structure of Local Church Parish Council

1. Formation:

A) As per this bylaw, clergies, the faithful and the youth of Sunday School of a certain local church shall jointly establish parish council of the local church;

B) The parish council established in this manner shall hold a general congregation in the attendance of the local church’s clergies and the faithful twice a year accordingly;

C) The parish council shall elect an executive committee that shall meet twice a month to accomplish the tasks and responsibilities bestowed upon it, and thereby implement the objectives and functions of the Qale Awadee (Ecclesiastical Constitution)

D) No association of clergies, of the faithful or of the youth of Sunday School can be established by the name of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, unless it is recognized by the parish council of the local church; or unless it is permitted by the diocese, or by the Head diocese, or by the Holy Synod

2. Structure

A) One parish council presided by the church administrator;

B) One parish administrative council (executive committee) presided by the church administrator;

C) Office of the local parish council;

D) Different work units of the locality;

Article 8: Work Implementation of the Local Church’s Parish Council

1. Upon a call to the church clergies and the faithful by the parish church administrator or concerned bodies, quorum of general congregation shall be constituted.

2. Abiding by the rules and regulations of church, the members of the parish council, by chairmanship of the church administrator, shall ensure that all works are implemented; and on those matters that are to be settled by vote, they shall do accordingly.

3. Members entitled to vote:

• a) Followers of the religion of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church;
• b) And the faithful registered by the local parish council with ID cards; and those who have been in the locality at least for six months
• c) Those who have legal IDs as evidence that they are dwellers of the locality (area)
• d) Those who fulfill their membership duties at the local church;
• e) Clergies and the faithful of above 18 years, irrespective of genders (male and female)

4. An electoral committee, comprising clergies, the faithful, and the youth of Sunday School, and whose number is not less than five and not exceeding 15, shall be appointed to conduct the parish election process. The electoral committee shall carry out the election on the very day. And the members of the committee shall fulfill the requirements stated in No 3 of this article, they shall be known with their religious devotion and ethical conduct; and they shall also be literate.

5. As per article 11 No 3 of the Qale Awadee (Ecclesiastical Constitution), one month ahead of the conduct of a new parish council election, a standard report of the outgoing parish council on accomplishments during its tenure, its planned activities as well as its overall works and financial performances shall be presented to the diocese, and then the plan and the report will be reviewed and presented to the locality.

6. The members of the executive committee mentioned in article 10 of the Qale Awadee (Bylaw) under shall be appointed by the electoral committee from amongst the presented candidates.

7. A) Upon nomination by the administrative council (the executive committee), the parish council shall elect heads for the work units of the parish council, cited in chapter 4, article 15 of the Qale Awadee (Ecclesiastical Constitution). B) With regard to permanent servants, the diocese, assessing the revenue and activities of the local church, shall decide in congregation and assign ordained priests upon recruitment on the basis of their religious devotion, ethical manner, knowledge and experience. C) In those low income churches, the works shall be done by those members who are elected from amongst priests and the faithful

8. Upon investigation and agreement on the annual budget assessed and presented by the administrative council, it shall present it in its standard to the office of archbishop diocese for permission.

9. It shall get the finance and asset of the local church as well as revenue and expenditure audited by the end of the budget year or at another time of need, either by the accountant of the diocese, or as needed and upon permission by the diocese, by external auditor hired by the Head diocese as well as by the diocese.

10. It shall hear the financial, asset, and performance statement as well as audit report of the parish church submitted by the administrative council; and if any doubtful matter, it shall decide with majority vote.

11. The accountability of this council shall be to the woreda (district) parish administrative council or to woreda (district) diocese office as per the hierarchy.

Article 9: Function and Implementation of the Electoral Committee

1. The electoral committee shall get nominated candidates and carry out the election on the very day; and if not successful, it shall hold the election by the following Sunday.

2. The electoral committee shall assess the candidates running for membership of the executive committee and present the same to the local clergies and the faithful for election.

3. It shall also check the criteria of the voters as per article 8 No 3 of the Qale Awadee (Ecclesiastical Constitution).

4. The electoral committee shall give briefings to the voters before the commencement of the voting regarding the identity and qualification of the candidates so that they can make an informed choice.

5. The voting process, depending on the area, shall be either by writing, on card or by raising hands and getting them counted.

6. The electoral committee shall have responsibility that if its candidates aren’t supported by the local priests and the faithful, shall bring other nominees, by the tip of the congregation, for the election.

7. The electoral committee, upon the completion of the voting, shall count the votes thereupon, sign the memo and present the same to the church’s administrator.

8. The church’s administrator shall present the election minute submitted by the electoral committee to the woreda (district) diocese for ratification and implementation.

Article 10: Members of the Parish Administrative Council (Executive Committee) of the Local Church

The type and number, electoral procedure, and the criteria of members for the local church parish administrative council (executive committee) shall be as follows:

1. Composition and Size of Members

The local church parish administrative council (executive committee) shall have, along with the church administrator, members not less than five and not exceeding nine as follows:

A. The parish church administrator – Chairman of the council.

B. As mentioned under this section in letters C & D, amongst clergies and the faithful who is capable of administration, church law-abiding, with good conduct, and whose age is not less than 30 and not exceeding 60 – Deputy Chairperson of the council.

C. Clergies from amongst those serving the local church on regular basis, and not less than two and not exceeding four in numbers – Members of the council.

D. One youngster from Sunday School along with other members to be elected from amongst the faithful not less than two and not exceeding four in numbers – Members of the council.

E. The regular secretary of the church shall be the secretary of the local parish council; however, his vote shall not be considered during decision. And in those local churches where there is no regular secretary, a clergy, among those who serve on regular basis, shall be secretary of the parish church – Secretary of the council.

2. Election Procedures

A. Criteria of Elects from Clergies

The nominees from the clergies shall:

1. Those regular clergies fit for administrative duty;
2. Those who are free from actions of non-Christians, and those who are not influenced by matters such as ethnicity and related issues
3. Those who are far from conspiracy, intoxication, greed for money and who are ethical, humble and descent;
4. Those who are dedicated to church services through prayer and hasty for preaching of the gospel;
5. Those who are free of financial fraud; and free from other crime records or not conviction, and those whose rights, by any circumstance, are suspended, and whose ages are above 21 years shall be elected.

B. Criteria of Elects from the Faithful

The nominees from the faithful regardless of gender:

1. Church-law abiding, and those who are registered as members of the parish council of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and fulfill their duties
2. Those who have IDs for their being residents of the locality;
3. Those who are free from actions of non-Christians, and those who are not influenced by affairs such as ethnicity and related issues
4. Those who are far from conspiracy, intoxication, greed for money and who are ethical, humble and descent; and free of financial fraud or other crime records or convictions; and those whose rights, by any circumstance, are not suspended,
5. And residents of the locality, whose ages are between 21 and 60 years, shall be elected.

C. Criteria of Elects from Sunday School

The nominees from Sunday school shall, their category being among the faithful and:

1. Those who are registered members of the parish Sunday School;
2. Those whose ages are between 18 to 35 years;
3. Competent and those who are known for their proficiency;
4. Those who are firm with the faith of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo;
5. Those young people, who have never had problem with issues pertaining to dogma, canon and order of the church, shall be elected regardless of their genders.

Article 11: Amendment, Invalidation and Ratification of Election and Tenure of Elects

1. Amendment, Invalidation, and Ratification of the Election:

a) All parish council elections at the level of local church, upon the submission by the woreda (district) diocese, shall be approved by the archbishopric diocese. The archbishop may amend or invalidate the election if he finds its implementation incorrect.

b) If flaw of religion, embezzlement or other problem is encountered after the members of the parish council have commenced works, the diocese may, upon assessment by administrative council, cancel the decision.

2. The elected clergy or a faithful shall stay in duty for a term of three years; the member may be eligible for reelection; however the member cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms.

3. The local church parish council shall present its performance report before the end of its term and the conduct of the next election

4. Election of new members shall be done one month before the end of the term of incumbent members; the newly elected members shall however commence work upon the full expiry of the term of the incumbent members.

5. Training shall be organized for newly elected members on the Qale Awadee (Ecclesiastical Constitution) and other church matters

6. Replacement Members

If the position of a member is vacant due to death or transfer or for the reasons cited under article 10 No 2 (A-C), or because the member is elected for the woreda (district) administrative council, the member who has obtained the second highest vote after the winning member of the previous election shall assume the position. And if there is no member for such replacement, the clergies and the faithful shall hold yet another election to fill the vacant space. And the elected member shall serve till the expiry of the term.

Article 12: Powers and Functions of the Local Church Parish Administrative Council (Executive Committee)

The local church’s parish council administrative council (executive committee), in addition to its tasks vested by virtue of chapter two, articles 5 and 6 of the Qale Awadi (Ecclesiastical Constitution), shall have the following powers and functions:

1. Shall have obligations to ensure that the beliefs and orders of the church as well as structure of Synod are maintained

2. Shall study and consult on preservation of ecclesiastical objects, Holy Scriptures, and different heritages and ensure that they are well maintained.

3. Shall set up special congregation of clergies to oversee matters related to faith and mysteries of church in the local parish

4. Shall, through the congregation of clergies appointed thereof, preside over matters related to accusations that arise among couples who are married with church matrimony as well as matters related to priesthood. If the matter is beyond the mandate of this congregation, it shall, as per the hierarchy, present it to the higher body.

5. Shall protect the youth of Sunday School from all forms of evil; ensuring that all the teaching to them and the songs which they sing are on the basis of the dogma, canon, and tradition of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church; it shall have the obligation to follow and supervise that their actions and conducts would not be out of the teaching of Christianity; it shall help those young people who are not registered in Sunday School be registered and be firm with faith and deed.

6.1. A) Shall take delivery of contributions and report it to the pertinent unit
B) Shall sue and be sued on behalf of the local church

6.2. In agreement with the Qale Awadee (Ecclesiastical Constitution), by submitting its plan and study to the diocese, and upon permission, on behalf of the local parish church, it:

A) shall sign contractual agreement

B) enter litigation

C) in the extent of its operation, can lease and render lease for both fixed and non-fixed assets

D) can obtain bank loan when necessary, only for feasible development works, upon a consensus of the Diocese Administrative Council under the chairmanship of the archbishop, and upon the archbishop’s permission by written approval.

7. Without prejudice to the abovementioned, when necessary for entering an agreement on fixed assets and on matters with high estimation, upon decision by the administrative council under the chairmanship the archbishop, and upon permission by written approval, can sign contractual agreement.

8. As per the rules and regulations enacted by the Holy Synod, determine on details pertaining to the asset and resource management of the local church

9. Notify the amount of money contributed by priests and the faithful at the parish, and ascertain the submission of the same as per article 56/1 of this Qale Awadee.

10. Ensure timely submission to the diocese, as per article 57/1 of this Qale Awadee, 20% of the parish church’s total income for the purpose of general administration of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, education, evangelization, development, charity, as well as for joint plans and various activities by different parishes.

11. Ensure submission, upon permission at central level, 20% of the income obtained during the construction of new church-building, school, clinic etc, except by charity from individuals, organizations, and donors

12. Allocate budget for teachers and students of church schools at the local church parish for the expansion and strengthening of the schools

13. Deposit, in the name of the parish church, all revenues of the church in a bank account opened by the permission of the diocese archbishop

14. A) Without prejudice to article 57 of this Qale Awadee, examine and present the annual budget of the church to the office of the archbishopric diocese;
B) Implement the budget upon receiving it after its examination, agreement, and approval by the office of the Archbishopric diocese.

15. Establish the church’s parish council office and work units

16. Look into and take decision on the performance statement submitted at the agreed schedule by the church office and the audit report of the parish supervisor.

17. When it is necessary to construct a building at the local parish, it shall establish a construction committee for the planned project upon receiving permission and direction from the diocese; it shall get members of this committee elected by the congregation of priests and the faithful of the local church.

18. Open a separate bank account in the name of the church, upon permission of the diocese, as per number 13 of this article, for the construction project

19. When money is withdrawn from bank:

a) If it is the regular parish council’s expense, it shall be withdrawn upon the joint signatures of the church’s administrator and Deputy Chairperson of the parish.

b) If it is the construction expense, it shall be withdrawn by withdrawal cheque upon the joint signatures of the administrator and construction committee’s chairperson or in the absence of the construction committee’s chairperson the deputy shall be a joint signatory.

20. Examine and amend, annul, and approve those decisions passed by the different units of the local church on various matters

21. Examine the faults committed by servants of the parish church and identify administrative matters from within and pass verdict accordingly; and bring those issues related to crime to be dealt according to the law.

22. Elect and send to the Woreda’s general parish council, one priest, one faithful and one young Sunday school student from the members of the administrative council.

23. It shall, as per article 7/1 (B) of this Qale Awadee, upon permission of the diocese, present to the congregation of priests and the faithful, a report, at the meeting held in every six month and also one month ahead of the expiry of the tenure of the parish administrative council, on its performance and financial expenses

24. Oversee and prevent unnecessary activities that are out of canon of the church, during major holidays and celebrations of the church

25. Supervising and prohibiting activities with loud speakers and noises, except for those with permission, of cassette vending and other items on the premises of the church and its environs

26. Oversee and prohibit activities carried out on the premises of the church, either at halls or various shelters within it, at times of Mahlet (church service), liturgy, gospel teaching, and other spiritual services

27. The parish administrative council of the local church shall be accountable to the office of the woreda (district) diocese.

Article 13: Power and Function of the Local Parish Church Administrator

In order to implement the objective and function mentioned in Articles 5 and 6 of this Ecclesiastical Constitution (Qale Awadee), the administrator shall have the following powers and functions:

1. Being a chief executive of the parish, the church administrator, as per this Ecclesiastical Constitution (Qale Awadee) and as per bylaws enacted following this Ecclesiastical Constitution, shall be accountable for the parish clergies and the faithful as well as for spiritual services and administration of the local church.

2. shall lead the administration and spiritual services of the local parish church as per the rules and regulations enacted by the Holy Synod for the church workers spiritual services and administration

3. shall conduct and facilitate orientation for the whole clergies and the faithful of the local church before the election of the executive committee of the local parish council

4. shall closely follow and supervise the organization and implementation of the work units mentioned in chapter 4, article 16, number 1 of this Ecclesiastical Constitution (Qale Awadee)

5. shall supervise and check that workers of the local church and the faithful have identification cards; and that all the faithful are registered at the local parish; and that documents of baptism, matrimony, and the deceased are used properly.

6. shall teach and keep the faithful of the local church and their children with the teachings of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church; furthermore, shall give order to soul fathers to teach and keep their soul children

7. shall closely follow that revenues of the church are collected properly; and that every fixed and non-fixed assets of the church are well maintained, and that they are properly utilized

8. as per the budget allocation from superior, approve implementation of every expenditure

9. pursuant to article 12 sub-articles 7-9, upon the acceptance from the parish administrative council as well as upon approval and permission by letter of the diocese parish administrative council, the administrator, jointly with the deputy chairperson, shall enter and sign agreement

10. shall call meeting of the parish administrative council; shall act according to the decisions and supervise the implement

11. shall submit to the woreda (district) diocese for approval of the election of members of the local parish administrative council and heads of the different work units

12. on behalf of the local parish administrative council, the administrator shall present bi-annual report on matters pertaining to the parish clergies and the faithful; the church workers; finance and property, as well as about performances of the different work units, to congregation of the parish clergies and the faithful; and shall refer the decision to the woreda (district) diocese.

13. shall not take unilateral decision, without discussion and consensus of the parish executive committee, and without the consent of superior body, on issues related to salary increment, promotion, transfer, and firing of workers

14. shall supervise performances of workers, based on report submitted by different pertinent heads; shall advise; shall reprove wrong doers; and shall issue oral and written warning

15. shall implement all the assigned functions in line with the decision made as per the Ecclesiastical Constitution

Article 14: Power and Function of Deputy Chairperson of the Local Church Parish Administrative Council

1. The deputy shall act in place, but absence of the church administrator.

2. The deputy shall, by joint signatures with the administrator, release the approved regular expense of the parish

3. The deputy shall not deal with matters related to church mysteries if he is not ordained priesthood.

4. The deputy shall be accountable to the church administrator.

Article 15: Administration of Monasteries and Procedure of Taking Vow

1. Administration of Monasteries

a) Unified monasteries shall, according to the monasteries, have their own bylaws and administrative regulations effective upon examination and approval by their respective dioceses. If necessary, it can be enacted by the Holy Synod upon request by the diocese.

b) As per the procedure of the monastery, different work units and offices shall be established in the monasteries.

c) Pursuant to the prayer and fasting procedure, fields for education of monks and areas of careers for different services shall be put in place.

d) Nuns shall, being confined within the premises of the designated monastery as per the order of monastic system, live helping themselves and others

e) Monasteries shall have their own designated places

f) Whether they are organized with parish or not, the faithful who live in the surrounding of unified monasteries, without prejudice to article 3/3 of the Qale Awadee, shall make financial contribution or in kind.

g) Any revenue of the monasteries shall be collected only by receipts printed by supervision of the Head Diocese and authorization of the office of the diocese; and models 30 and 64 shall be used for collection of money, and model 19 for revenue in kind. A monastery, which collects revenue in amount or in kind with unauthorized receipts that are not approved by the Head Diocese or by the diocese, shall be held accountable legally.

h) Any revenue of the monastery shall be deposited in the bank account opened by the approval of the archbishop of the diocese. The account is operated by the joint signatures of the head of the monastery and a representative elected by the congregation of the monks/nuns.

i) All monasteries, where parish council prevails or not, shall pay 20% to the diocese of their income from the faithful and other sources.

j) Monks and nuns in the monastery as well as the faithful living around shall be registered on the parish council’s record by the monastery.

k) Vow shall be given for those who meet the requisite of sub-article 3 of this article and who will have stayed three years in the monastery

l) Vow shall not be given outside monastery, except for ordained priests with recognition and approval of an archbishop.

m) For a head of monastery (teacher), in time of need for travel out of the monastery, shall request permission and approval from the archbishop of the diocese

n) The monastery shall be accountable to the archbishop and the office of the diocese.

2. Head of Monastery

A) The head of the monastery shall administer the unified monastery served by the congregation of monks and nuns as per the order and decision of the Holy Synod.

B) Give ranks to monks who are elected and presented on the basis of high values of moral, education, and dedicated prayers, and assign them for different activities in the monastery, as chief of seat, chief of disciples, and feeder of

C) Establish development, through consultation with the administration of the monastery and permission from the archbishop of the diocese, whereby monks and nuns of the monastery can get handicraft vocational training to be self-sufficient and support the monastery as well, thereby expanding the spiritual and social services of the monastery.

D) Vest the vow through the Archbishop of the diocese when qualified monks of the monastery, who fulfill the requisite cited under sub-section 3 of this article.

E) Issue certificate for nuns and monks, who take vow

F) Conduct tight supervision on monks moving out and in of the monastery area with no good reason and without permission, and take canonic punishment

3. Requisite for Taking Vow

A) The Faithful Who Are Taking Vow

1. Those who are recognized and certified by their respective local parish councils that they are firm with the faith of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
2. Those who have proper understanding on the life of monastery, and who are also committed to fulfilling their vows properly
3. Those who can provide evidence for their virginity or their marriage before taking vow
4. Except in cases of adequate ground, they must reach 30 years of age and above
5. Those who are sane, calm and patient;
6. Those faithful, who have spent a three-year trial period in the monastery, shall take vow
7. The three-year trial period shall not be implemented with the faithful who are above 60 years of age

B) Church Servants Who Are Taking Vow to Serve with Priesthood

1. Those who fulfill the requirements set under this number in (a) from 1-7;
2. Those who have knowledge of books of monasteries (monks), and who keep the order of monastery
3. Those who have church education and knowledge of Holy scriptures;
4. And those, who are recognized for their being exemplary, their wisdom and skills, shall take vow and be ordained

4. After Taking Vow

(A) As they have made covenant upon taking vow, they should keep their vows till the end of earthly life.

(B) They are expected to serve their respective monasteries according to their ability and talent

(C) They must not leave the monastery without good reason and permission;

(D) Monks and nuns living out of the monastery upon permission shall remain in good conduct being away from all forms of evil acts, and serve as an image to the society;

(E) Monks and nuns must remain away from inappropriate activities; and they must keep their bonnet at all times;

(F) Monks and nuns assigned in rural and urban churches must demonstrate humbleness in their speech and conduct; and shall serve as an image to the society;

(G) They must adhere to the norms of monks, and they must never act as holy and must be calm and humble at all times

(H) Unless chosen from among the monks and exclusively assigned on the basis of their abilities, they must not preach