Facts and Figures:

According to the Website Sacred-Destinations,

The Church of the Holy Trinity was founded by Emperor Menelik II soon after he moved his imperial capital from Mt. Entoto to Addis Ababa.

The original church, built of wood with intricate carvings, was constructed with the help of artists from India. Located close to the Imperial Palace, it was frequently visited by the royal family.

In 1928, a cornerstone was laid by Empress Zewditu for a new cathedral to be built.

Work progressed slowly and was halted during the Italian occupation of 1936 to 1941. The new Cathedral would not be completed until 1942, after the return from exile of Emperor Haile Selassie following the Italian occupation.

www.sacred-destinations.com/ethiopia/addis-ababa-trinity-...

According to Wapedia (Wikipedia for mobile phones - who knew?):

Holy Trinity Cathedral, known in Amharic as Kidist Selassie, is the highest ranking Orthodox cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

It was built to commemorate Ethiopia's liberation from Italian occupation and is the second most important place of worship in Ethiopia, after the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum.

The cathedral bears the title of "Menbere Tsebaot" or "Pure Altar".

The Church compound is the burial place for those who fought against the Italian Occupation, or those who accompanied the Emperor into exile from 1936 to 1941.

Emperor Haile Selassie I and his consort Empress Menen Asfaw are buried in the north transept of the cathedral. Other members of the Imperial family are buried in the crypt below the church.

The High Altar of the cathedral is dedicated to "Agaiste Alem Kidist Selassie" (Sovereigns of the World the Holy Trinity).

The other two altars in the Holy of Holies on either side of the High Altar are dedicated to St. John the Baptist and to "Kidane Meheret" (Our Lady Covenant of Mercy).

In the south trancept of the cathedral is a recently added chapel of St. Michael, which houses the Tabot or Ark of St. Michael the Archangel which was returned to Ethiopia in February 2002 after being discovered in Edinburgh. This relic was taken by British forces from the mountain citadel of Magdalla in 1868 during their campaign against Emperor Tewodros II.

The Cathedral complex also includes the "Bale Wold" (Feast of God the Son) Church, which is also known as the Church of the Four Heavenly Creatures. This church served as the original Holy Trinity Monastery Church before the building of the Cathedral.

There is also a primary and a secondary school, a monastery and the Holy Trinity Theological College.

There is also a museum, and monuments housing the remains of those massacred in Addis Ababa by the Italians in 1937 in response to an assasination attempt against the Fascist Viceroy of Italian East Africa.

There is also the monument and tomb of the officials of the imperial government who were executed by the communist Derg regime.

Holy Trinity Cathedral is also the official seat of the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa. The Patriarchs of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church are enthroned at Holy Trinity Cathedral and all Bishops are consecrated there as well.

The tombs of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen Asfaw, and other members of the Imperial family are inside Holy Trinity Cathedral.

The late Patriarch, Abune Tekle Haimanot of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is buried in the church yard, as is the famous British suffragete and anti-fascist activist Sylvia Pankhurst.