
Ethiopian patriarch tells pope he will show artifact to world
The patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia says he will announce to the  world Friday the unveiling of the Ark of the Covenant, perhaps the world's most  prized archaeological and spiritual artifact, which he says has been hidden away  in a church in his country for millennia, according to the Italian news agency  Adnkronos.
Abuna Pauolos, in Italy for a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI  this week, told the news agency, "Soon the world will be able to admire the Ark  of the Covenant described in the Bible as the container of the tablets of the  law that God delivered to Moses and the center of searches and studies for  centuries."
The announcement is expected to be made at 2 p.m. Italian  time from the Hotel Aldrovandi in Rome. Pauolos will reportedly be accompanied  by Prince Aklile Berhan Makonnen Haile Sellassie and Duke Amedeo D'Acosta.
"The Ark of the Covenant is in Ethiopia for many centuries," said Pauolos. "As a patriarch I have seen it with my own eyes and only few highly qualified persons could do the same, until now."
According to Pauolos, the actual Ark has been kept in one church, but to defend the treasure, a copy was placed in every single church in Ethiopia.
He said a museum is being built in Axum, Ethiopia, where the Ark will be  displayed. A foundation of D'Acosta will fund the project.
The Ark of the  Covenant is the sacred container of the Ten Commandments as well as Aaron's rod  and a sample of manna, the mysterious food that kept the Israelites alive while  wandering in the wilderness during their journey to the promised  land.
The Bible says the Ark was built to the specifications of God as He  spoke to Moses. It was carried in advance of the people and their army by  priests. It was also carried in a seven-day procession around the walled city of  Jericho.
The idea that the Ark is presently in Ethiopia is a well-documented, albeit  disputed, tradition dating back to at least 642 B.C. The tradition says it was  moved to Elephantine Island in Egypt, then to Tana Kirkos Island in Ethiopia and  finally to its present site at St. Mary's of Zion Church in  Axum.
Ethiopians believe it is destined to be delivered to the Messiah  when He reigns on Mount Zion – the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
Jeremiah  3:16 points to a time when the Ark will vanish not only physically, but from the  minds of the people: "And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and  increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more,  The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither  shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done  any more."
The Book of Revelation says the Ark is in the temple of God in  heaven (Rev. 11:19). Muslim scholars say it will be found near the end of times  by the Mahdi – a messianic figure in Islam.