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.

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 Woreda diocese (district diocese)

B) Manager of the diocese

5. "General Manager" means

General Manager of the Head Diocese

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.

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

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;

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;

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;

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Appointment and Service Term of Heads

1. The local parish administrative council (executive committee) shall have one office and the following work units to accomplish its objectives and duties as cited under articles 5 and 6 of this Qale Awadi (Bylaw), and shall establish, as per the law of church article 21, the different work units listed below:

• A) Evangelical Service Unit
• B) Spiritual Education Unit
• C) Clerical Service Unit
• D) Sunday School Unit
• E) Planning and Development Unit
• F) Charitable Activities Unit
• G) Legal Affairs Unit
• H) Ecclesiastical Objects, Property and Heritage Unit
• I) Accounting Unit
• J) Finance Unit
• K) Supervision unit
• L) Construction, Renovation and Maintenance Unit
• M) Statistics Unit
• N) Parish Council Coordination Unit
• O) Monasteries Unit

2. Without prejudice to the type and nature of works at the units mentioned in this Article, Number 1 from (A) to (O), same work leader may be assigned for two or more similar work units at a time; and committees may also be formed as need be.

3. The Parish Council office shall have one secretary and permanent heads of work units.

4. For rural churches, clergies and the faithful with renowned ethics, skills and experience, shall be assigned as secretary and head of unit, upon election at clergies congregation in the presence of the head of the woreda diocese and under chairmanship of the church administrator.

5. For urban monasteries and churches, they shall assigned by the office of the diocese according to their training and skills

6. Workers to be assigned on cashier and treasurer positions shall have obligation to present a guarantor with adequate guarantee.

7. At circumstances and times when assignment for the work units mentioned under this article, number 1 from (A) to (O) of this Qale Awadee is not possible, the administrative council shall nominate candidates known with their good conducts, skills and experiences, and they shall be assigned upon approval by the woreda (district) diocese.

8. The service term for volunteers other than the regular paid workers shall be determined as per article 11 number 2 of this Qale Awadee pertaining to the parish administrative council (executive committee); the appointment of the heads of the work units shall be made after the election of the Parish's administrative council (executive committee) members.

1. The secretary general of the local parish council shall be an ordained; shall be accountable to the administrator of the church and shall lead and supervise secretarial, financial works, and property management; he shall also closely follow up on the performance of different work units of the parish church office.

2. Shall get clergies and the faithful of the parish church registered and provided with membership identity cards.

3. Shall ascertain that all baptized children and adults are registered with their names, names of their parents, name of godfather or godmother; the secretary general must also register marriages conducted in church and issue certificates.

4. Shall follow the collection of revenues, from each member of the parish, in due time

5. Shall organize the archives, lead the works in due order and maintain all records and registries; he shall function in the place of registrar in the absence of the latter registering the alive and deceased members.

6. Shall, in the absence of a statistics officer, register and keep records of the alive and the dead

7. Shall prepare a performance and financial statement of the church along with the budget to be allocated for the coming year; and shall, through the administrator, present it to the administrative council.

8. Shall appear at meeting of the administrative council as a secretary and record minutes thereof; and shall get the minutes signed by attending members and sign upon it himself.

9. Shall notify the administrator and conduct assessment on matters pertaining to the spiritual and social services of the church.

10. Supervise and report to the administrator on the attendance of the church clergies and other workers on their duties, and shall take measures accordingly

11. Shall present quarterly report with statistical data to the parish administrative council about the parish church members and workers; statement of finance and asset; and performances of the different work units

12. Carry out every church assignment given by the church administrator and the parish administrative council

13. Shall cover vacant posts where there is shortage human resource, and upon the decision of the administrative council, shall carry out the task of the finance head

1. Shall prepare the daily schedule and facilitate delivery of education, by the recognized and accredited teachers, to the faithful during holidays and on Sundays

2. Shall gather the faithful at suitable times and facilitate the teaching on Holy Scriptures.

3. Shall follow that the gospel is preached during and after liturgical service.

4. Shall discharge apostolic missions that the gospel is preached in a language which the faithful can understand, and that followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo faith are multiplied and are registered at the parish

5. Shall have the responsibility of taking delivery and distribution to the faithful, of newspapers, magazines and other publications prepared by the evangelism and apostolic mission department of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Head Diocese.

6. Supervise and ascertain that books, newspapers, cassettes, CDs, VCDs, DVDs and other print products, which are not reviewed and approved by the council of sages, should not be dispatched to the faithful on the premises and podium of the church.

7. Supervise that books, newspapers, cassettes, CDs, VCDs, DVDs and other print products, which are out of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo faith, should not be dispatched to the faithful

8. Shall have the responsibility to supervise individuals, who tend to preach and teach without permission

1. Each parish church, as per its capacity and the direction given by the Holy Synod, shall establish spiritual school around church.

2. The following education shall be provided in such schools:

• a) Reading, writing, calculation and language;
• b) Church Hymn (Tsewatewe zema) and chanting (aquaquam) and liturgy;
• c) Geez Poem (Quine);
• d) Commentaries or Interpretation of scriptures (Theology);
• e) Church History;
• f) Arts, handicraft and other vocational training

3. Shall have prime task of gathering children at the locality for education from alphabets and reading to fundamentals of religion, so that they will be with Christian orientation and conduct

4. Shall prepare schedules for education and follow its content and management as per the rules and regulations enacted by the Holy Synod

5. Shall ascertain that children are nurtured with religious ethics

6. Shall ascertain that the construction and location of education venues (congregation houses) are suitable for education delivery and health as well.

7. Shall prepare a schedule so that the local church permanent teachers prepare in advance, without affecting their congregation, the serving clergies for the praises of the Lord to be performed every Sunday, every month, and during annual events

8. Shall make the necessary efforts for establishment of a library and to ascertain the clergies come to the library to read books and increase their knowledge

9. Shall provide books formulated by a formal curriculum for education

10. Shall supervise students' attendance in their learning sessions; shall also assess their proficiency

11. Shall coordinate among all stakeholders that a boarding school is established at the local church, or that the churches in the locality jointly establish a central boarding school, and that subsidy budget is allocated to cover costs of teachers' salary as well as for food and clothing of students

12. Shall notify and supervise that church teachers are obliged to properly serve the posts they assume

13. Shall notify and get it realized that both teachers and students are duty bound to serve church

14. Shall ensure that teachers and students at each local church are registered at the office of the parish council and have identity cards; and that every student, upon completion of their studies, are given certificates approved by their teachers, the parish administrative council and the office of the diocese.

1. This unit performs church sanctified and sacramental tasks by clergies, coordinating the head priest (Qaesse Gebez), the archdeacon (Liqe diyaqonat) and the chief sage (Liqe-Tebebt), the facilitator/curator (the Agafari).

2. Shall coordinate and oversee that the chants of St. Yared, night praises, the divine liturgy as well as other sacramental services are conducted duly

3. Shall, in collaboration with the education unit, organize and supervise training of gospel teaching for clergies so that they will be able to protect their soul children from apostasy, heresy and bad habits and deeds

4. Shall supervise and report to the church office and the administrator on matters pertaining to the proper conduct of spiritual services assigned to teachers, priests, singers, deacons, and other servants of the church in their respective work units; and shall act accordingly

5. Shall ascertain the access of different spiritual services by the faithful on the basis of equality and fairness.

6. Shall notify the office and the administrator on matters pertaining to spiritual services, the mission and roles of clergies within the church in particular, and in the local parish in general, and act as necessary.

7. Shall endeavor that clergies know that they have the duty and obligation of preaching, baptizing, serving the Divine Liturgy and performing ceremony of the Holy Communion, accepting confession and give benediction, generally enabling the faithful to be firm with their faith and be grown and matured with good conduct; and shall support the clergies to be capable for such missions

8. Shall present, for deaconship ordination, a person acknowledged for his good conduct and spiritual attitude by clergies and the faithful, who has also learned portion of church lessons orally, recited Psalms, and who has been literate over the five pillars of mystery.

9. Shall present, for priestly ordination, a deacon who has studied liturgy, and who has mastered night praises/hymns (Sa-ata), morning prayer (kidan), litany; and who is literate over poem (Qiene) composition, and the seven sacraments of the church; and who can interpret and teach holy scriptures; and who is acknowledged by clergies and the faithful of the parish church for his good conduct and spiritual life.

10. Shall prepare ceremonial schedules during major holidays and present the same to the administrative council (executive committee); implement the ceremony accordingly.

11. Shall advise and also monitor that workers of the church should not be present at inappropriate places

12. Strictly monitor those clergies and the faithful who wander in streets and villages by lilting lights and setting umbrellas, against the order of the church, simply in names of Sunday and commemorative congregation

13. Oversee and teach the faithful to be aware of those people whose deeds and ordination not known and approved by the church, but who claim and act like a priest or a monk to be soul father of the faithful, and thereby create trouble against church services

14. Strictly monitor that they, who claim to be deacons, or priests, or monks, but whose ordination is not officially known, should never conduct liturgy and sacramental services on proxy

15. Shall give directions to spiritual fathers to have the faithful at churches with their children on Sunday services and church festivals to learn the faith and order of the church.

16. Shall notify the clergies and deacons, who are not attending night praises/hymns (Sa-atat) morning prayer (Kidan), should not perform divine liturgy; and shall monitor this

17. Shall make godfathers and godmothers duly aware that they, according to the book of baptism and their promises made thereof, are responsible to teach their godchildren about the order and faith of the church.

Pursuant to the rules and regulations enacted by the virtue of the Holy Synod for the youth of Sunday Schools, the parish Sunday school unit shall perform the functions mentioned here below:

1. Shall establish and organize Sunday School at the local parish church; and the local parish children and young people who are of between four and 35 ages shall be members of Sunday School; deacons shall participate in learning and/or teaching, while clergies and teachers in teaching at the Sunday School.

2. Shall follow that lesson is given as per the curriculum formulated at the institution level to children and youth depending on the category of their ages.

3. Shall facilitate further training for those who have learned at the Sunday School and attained high level of achievement and competence, and upon permission by superior body, shall assign them to teach; shall monitor that, those who do have permission, should not teach thereof

4. Shall formulate, at Sundays, during major holidays and occasions, regular and weekly schedule that lessons are provided on law and order of church, religious topics, liturgy hymns, and holy scriptures.

5. In consultation with and order from the administration, shall closely follow, teach, and advise that children and young people become literate over and respect law and order of church, and that they remain firm with the faith of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

6. Shall prepare daily and weekly schedules that they study spiritual songs and chants that convey lessons, and that are reviewed by the council of sages, and approved by the relevant body

7. Shall establish a library equipped with educational materials so that the youth can develop their spiritual knowledge.

8. Upon permission and approval by the office of the parish administrative council, shall execute and follow the implementation of drama or other forms of shows made during festivals or other occasions

9. Every revenue to be collected by Sunday School students for purpose of spiritual services shall be the income of the local parish treasury unit; and the Sunday School Unit shall present detail plans for necessary expenses to the parish administrative council, and upon approval, it shall implement the plan

10. Shall submit every revenue to be collected, with model 30 (the money) and model 19 (the property), to the office of the local parish council; and shall get both the money and the property audited by the local parish council

11. Members of the Sunday School leadership shall be young people above the age of 18, who are elected by the assembly of Sunday School members at election facilitated by the parish council; and their term shall be 3 years; and only they are needed by the students of the Sunday School, they can serve second term of 3 years

12. Shall notify and follow that Christian obligations are fulfilled as clergies advise their soul children to send their children to be registered and pursue spiritual knowledge at Sunday School

13. Facilitate and ascertain that Sunday school students wear uniforms as per the faith and order of our church during holiday celebrations

14. Shall strictly follow and monitor that overnight program will never be implemented, unless permitted and authorized by letter of parish council or another superior body.

15. In collaboration with units of evangelical service and spiritual school, shall facilitate the delivery of appropriate and quality education to Sunday School students by qualified teachers who got permission from the diocese

1. By devising short, medium, and long-term plans, shall look for and report to the parish council ways of soliciting support and contributions of money, material, knowledge and labor from the faithful and other organizations, for the execution of different action plans

2. Shall identify and organize appropriate areas that serve as sources of income for the local church; shall endeavor for the institution of handicrafts for incomes of ecclesiastical items, books, costumes/vestments and other church services

3. Shall endeavor for the coordination and collaboration among clergies, the faithful and Sunday School students of the local church that their money, knowledge, material, and labor be mobilized for the development and benefit of the church.

4. Shall, in coordination with pertinent parties, facilitate opportunities of training for clergies that they, as per their respective interests, utilize spare times to generate income and support themselves.

5. The revenue from the development will be collected with church invoice and deposited in a bank account opened by the name of the church.

6. Shall conduct study on ways of developing the surrounding places of the church, and shall report to the parish council for implementation

7. Shall follow up and monitor that plots of the church should, by any means, not be transferred to third party, without authorization by superior body

8. Shall present a quarterly performance report to the parish council

1. This unit shall coordinate and collaborate with traditional associations/institutions such as Senbeties and Edirs as well as different charity organizations to support orphans, helpless elders, and the needy at the local church

2. Shall coordinate with governmental and non-governmental organizations that the needy at the parish are supported in an organized manner

3. Shall facilitate conditions by collaborating with the concerned bodies that those less fortunate but capable people could get revenue on self owned cooperative.

4. Shall prepare educational schedule that a chosen priest, who has the knowledge and good conduct, teaches and advises them

5. Shall work that the needy are gathered at a certain location that they attend the mass prayer and gospel preaching session, and still they get required support, and lest they disturb the services at liturgy and gospel preaching during Sundays, monthly or annual holiday events

6. Shall assess ways and propose the same to the parish council (executive committee) that orphans at the local parish church can get temporary and sustainable support; and shall follow its implementation

7. Shall facilitate conditions and coordinate activities of philanthropists and charity organizations that the needy, helpless elders, and widows can get shelter and food around the church, and their health is also being cared

1. Shall disclose and ensure that heads of the parish council, clergies and the faithful in general know the decrees, rules and regulations enacted by the Holy Synod, the decisions and directives made by the patriarch general parish council

2. Shall do all the possible to amicably settle, without litigation, disagreements that may arise between clergies and the faithful of the parish church, through dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation.

3. When a complaint is concerning the laws of the church, it shall, without prejudice to the rights of the plaintiff and the defendant and with due consideration of evidences of both sides, submit recommendation to the parish administrative council as per Article 63 of this Ecclesiastical Constitution (Qale Awadee)

4. On the occasion of holiday celebrations, as the per the directions given by the parish administrative council, and in collaboration with the relevant governmental and public bodies, shall ensure smooth conduct of celebrations

5. Shall coordinate with units of evangelical service and Sunday School to prevent the sale on the church premises of items that are not beneficial for the faithful and that are not useful for church services; shall also keep the order that actions that are against the church should not be implemented thereof

6. Shall follow up every spiritual and secular legal issues; and shall provide consultation services to the church administration

7. Shall represent the church at any legal proceeding to speak on its behalf

1. Shall ensure the protection and preservation of the Ark of covenant, ecclesiastical objects, and properties of the church, by duly registering them through a chosen and assigned clergy for the same purpose

2. Shall identify and register in their categories of consumable items and other fixed assets that belong to the parish council

3. Shall deliver dispatched items and properties by invoice; and shall monitor that the dispatched goods are duly used; and upon return, shall check and receive the same

4. Shall carry out all the necessary for the internal services of the church.

5. Shall take all the necessary precautionary measures to protect damages on historical heritages of church; and shall duly display them at designated and accessible place to visitors and historians

6. Shall prevent manuscripts made of animal skin (Brana books), icons, costumes, as well as crosses of gold, silver, bronze and other ecclesiastical objects from damages due to insects, rust, liquid, fire and other hazardous factors; accordingly,

• A) Shall facilitate the preparation of proper warehouse for heritages conservation and preservation
• B) Shall assign personnel in charge of protection and guides for visitors;
• C) Shall have an obligation of conducting inventories by end of budget year and upon reshuffle of heads of heritages, and also present and explain the findings to the level of the patriarchate
• D) Shall facilitate situations, as per directions by the head diocese for implementation and fares, to have revenues from domestic and foreign visitors
• E) Shall put, by invoice, the revenues obtained from visitors together with the main account of the church

7. Shall ensure that the clergy to be assigned as a head of property and historical heritages at the parish church should be free of mischief record or free of mischief or other criminal records; and should have guarantor

8. Shall ensure aged costumes, ecclesiastical objects, books cease to be used, and that they are separately kept with due maintenance and renovation

9. A) During a request for borrowing of church heritages for a special purpose, the unit shall, upon permission and authorization of the diocese administrative council chaired by the archbishop, and with notification to the patriarchate, give and take the delivery of the items to be borrowed

B) Shall submit notifications to concerned authorities until the borrowed items be restored to its place

10. Shall ensure the annual inventory and registration as well as due preservation and conservation of all properties of the church; shall present detail report on existing and non-existent ones to the office of the parish administrative council

11. Shall ensure that those ancient and indigenous plants on the premises of the church are duly preserved and conserved

1. Shall prepare financial accounts, record the income and expense

2. Shall ensure and follow that the revenue is collected with official invoice as per the rule of accounting, and the expense is made by formal expense approval

3. Shall close accounts by end of every month and prepare and present to the office, the monthly revenue, expense and the balance

4. Shall monitor and prevent that any expense does not exceed the allowed budget limit

5. Shall make sure the availability of funds at time budget allocation

6. Shall assess, two years ahead of the budget year, the amount at the bank and in deposit box, and the monthly revenue, and prepare and present to the local parish administrative council, the budget of the following year.

7. Shall present revenue and expense documents for auditing, upon the order for annual or monthly audit

8. Shall maintain financial documents and cheques with due care

9. Shall ensure that revenue and expense documents (models) are operated only by and upon the uniform invoice prepared with the supervision by the office of head diocese of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and by the responsibility of the office of archbishop diocese

1. The treasury shall receive all revenues of the parish church upon the legitimate invoice cited under Article 56 Number 4 of the Ecclesiastical Constitution (Qale Awadee).

2. Shall daily deposit the collected amount into the bank account of the church; and when it is out of bank office hours or at a time banks are closed, the money shall be kept in box temporarily, upon consultation and signature with the concerned bodies, and the treasure house shall be sealed thereof

3. Shall deposit the fund at a location determined by the parish administrative council in case when no bank is available in the area.

4. Shall decide on the amount of petty cash, depending on the situation of the time and the area, as per the direction to be given by the parish administrative council

5. Shall make any payment by voucher only upon legitimate orders

6. Shall register revenue and expense in a separate document; shall duly register, checking against documents at the finance unit, the total amount of revenue, expense and the balance by end of every month

7. Shall not make withdrawal of any amount approved by the local parish administrative council, unless written order is made by the administrator; however, shall withdraw a fixed or known amount upon authorization by the deputy chairperson in the absence of the administrator

1. Shall monitor the income and expense on daily, weekly, and monthly basis and ensure that the fund is duly deposited in bank

2. Shall examine that revenue and expense documents are legal

3. Shall supervise the status of fixed and consumable items at the warehouse, by comparing them against registry of the parish council, identifying them in due category depending on their depreciation, defects and deficits; shall conduct inventory of the registered and non-registered ones

4. Shall present a quarterly report to the parish administrative council on the financial performance and property management thereof

5. Shall present, in case of financial and property deficit, a report signed by the person responsible for the deficit, to the office of the parish administrative council

6. Shall supervise that the contributions made by clergies and the faithful registered at the parish church, is duly paid, and that other revenues of the church are duly collected as per the Ecclesiastical Constitution

7. Shall supervise that the expenses for salary and petty cash do not exceed the annual and monthly budget approved by the parish church

8. Shall supervise the timely and proper implementation of tasks within the different work units of the parish church; and shall call meeting for concerned personnel or make rounds to the units as necessary to give the necessary instruction on accounting and related issues.

9. Shall oversee the way the boxes for collection of vows and alms are situated at the parish church; and shall ensure that they are placed in observable and reliable manner; shall also strictly monitor that those collection boxes, which are not registered and authorized by the office of the parish administration, should never be placed on the premises of the church

10. Shall make sure that collection boxes, before placed in use, are sealed in the presence and with the signatures of members elected by the executive committee, the administrator, the accountant and supervisor; ensure that opening of the boxes is also carried out in the same manner

11. Shall ensure that all other revenues and contributions collected at the podium of the church or other venues with alms boxes, umbrellas, mats and other means are duly registered with the church invoice and submitted to the church

12. Shall make the necessary effort to fix the values and duly submission of gifts given in kind to the church such as animals, silver, gold and other items

13. In collaboration with the property unit, shall conduct annual inventory and registry of the church's property, and present the findings, including the added and the deficits to the office of the parish council administrative council

14. Shall ensure the delivery to the appropriate unit, with invoice, of properties dispatched by the property unit, and monitor the proper utilization and care of the same; shall ensure the taking delivery by the property unit, after the proper examination

1. This unit shall prepare plans and presents to the parish administrative council, for construction works of the church, Bethlehem, schools, health institutions, income generating houses, meeting halls, Sunday School learning rooms, guest and clergy houses, surrounding walls of church and other needed projects, and upon approval as per Article 12 Number 17 of the Ecclesiastical Constitution, shall collaborate with the would-be construction committee to the realization of the proposed projects

2. Construction, maintenance, and renovation works of church shall be determined by order and instruction of the Holy Synod

3. When a construction committee is established, upon receiving direction and order from the office of the church administration, the unit shall carry out the necessary promotion and instruction that the clergies and the faithful consider and give due attention to the matter

4. Shall study ways of soliciting financial and material support for the construction of the church building, and submit the same to the parish administrative council; and upon approval, shall get the collection of the support by the construction committee to be established

5. Shall receive upon invoice from the office of the local church parish administrative council, and distribute as needed to the construction committee, those finance and material receipts, documents, records and all the necessary stationeries required for the construction of the church building

6. Shall ensure that all the concerned parties receive the letter issued by the office of the local parish council seeking support and cooperation from donor individuals and organizations for construction works

7. Shall attend the meetings of the construction main committee and report the major outcomes to the local church parish administrative council.

8. Shall ensure that the financial contribution by the faithful of the locality and the donation from different charity organizations for the construction purpose are duly deposited in bank account of the church; and shall oversee that withdrawal is made as per Article 12 Number 9 of the Ecclesiastical Constitution

9. Shall follow and ensure that the property for the purpose of the construction as well as the revenue, the expense and the balance are audited, upon completion of the project, by the superior body, and that it is transferred to treasury and property unit of the church

10. Shall consult professionals to have a better procedure for graveyard (cemetery) site on the premises of the church; and shall present its plans in this regard to the administrative council, and upon decision and approval by the superior body, implement the same to address the ever growing problem due to inappropriate construction of cemeteries thereof

11. When a site of cemeteries is needed for another purpose, the unit shall prepare and duly maintain another site where the remains of bodies with seven and more years are properly gathered and maintained thereof

12. Shall ensure that the church's compound and the sites designated for graveyards are kept clean; shall get different trees and flower species are planted

13. Shall ensure that design of church building is carried out as per tradition and order of church; no design shall be implemented unless it is reviewed, authorized and approved by the diocese administrative council presided over by the archbishop

1. Shall prepare all the permanent records of the resident faithful of the parish church including:

• a. Registry of birth and baptism
• b. Registry of the alive and registry of the deceased, and other necessary registries

2. Shall, in consultation with professionals and due assessment, register the full name and address, the building type and construction year, the shape and style, the height and width of the local church

3. Shall register number of clergies, priests, teachers, preachers, deacons, choirs and different workers of the local church; shall also keep record of the number of the faithful in due category of family, age, gender, education status

4. Shall, if there is a teacher of church education, register his name the number of his students and the type of education; and shall also register the number of Sunday School students and the type of their education

5. Shall register children at time of baptism on their 40th and 80th day, in birth and baptismal registry and also on the record of the alive

6. Shall register deceased followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in the registry of the deceased

7. Shall duly and properly register new residents in the local church, deceased members, new births and those who have just moved to the local church as residents from other places for various reasons, and those who have left the locality, and submit the same to the office of the parish administrative council by the end of the year

8. Shall register financial and human resources of the local parish annually, and present it with table or chart in comparison with that of the previous year

9. Shall meet with all the concerned bodies and gather statistical data required for the parish

10. Shall, in consultation with the elected members of the parish council coordinate activities that the faithful at the parish church pay their membership contribution in due time, thereby the goal of parish council is attained

11. Shall facilitate conditions and coordinate among members of the parish council to increase the revenues of the church