Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Visited Harlem Church
The grandson of the late Emperor visited a historic Harlem church with evangelist Ras Michael.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Cultural
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Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie brought Ras Michael to the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem for a service. The visit marked the Ethiopian celebration of Meskel at the historic institution.
Why it matters
The visit reaffirms the long-standing cultural and spiritual connection between the Ethiopian royalty and the historic Harlem congregation. It serves as a symbolic bridge between the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the American church community.
Founded in 1808, the Abyssinian Baptist Church has hosted notable figures for over two centuries. The current visit comes seven decades after the 1954 state visit by Emperor Haile Selassie I.
The players
Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie
He is the grandson of Emperor Haile Selassie I and serves as the President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia.
Ras Michael
He is a prominent evangelist of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
Haile Selassie I
He was the Emperor of Ethiopia who played a significant role in 20th-century history and visited Harlem in 1954.
Abyssinian Baptist Church
This historic Harlem institution was founded in 1808 and maintains deep ties to global leaders.
The details
Ras Michael, an evangelist for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, attended the service as the personal guest of Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie. The event coincided with the celebration of Meskel, a major Ethiopian religious holiday.
Timeline
The Abyssinian Baptist Church was founded in 1808.
Emperor Haile Selassie I visited the church in 1954.
Ras Michael attended a service on September 27, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This event echoes the 1954 state visit of Emperor Haile Selassie I, reinforcing the church's role in international diplomacy. It continues a legacy of cultural exchange between African nations and the American religious community.
Visitors to the Abyssinian Baptist Church can tour the historic site to learn about its past international guests. The facility maintains regular worship services that are open to the local community and the public.
The takeaway
The visit highlights the importance of maintaining historical and cultural traditions through intergenerational participation. Readers may reflect on the significance of local community institutions in fostering international relationships.
Further reading
Learn more about local cultural traditions in the New York City Cultural section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jamaica Gleaner.
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