It is an essential element in the faith of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity.
It comes from the monastic city of Lalibela in northern Ethiopia, a sub-Saharan country with the oldest Christianity. Together with the Coptic Church of Egypt, from which it takes its origin, they represent the two oldest Churches in Africa.
It is made of metal alloys. The upper and lateral ends of the cross are widened (cruz patée) to demonstrate the limitless expansion of the salvific effects of the cross of Christ to the four cardinal points.
