Editing State Oriental Orthodoxy

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{{Ideology
|themecolor = #FF0000
|textcolor = #fcdd09
|title = [[File:StateOO.png]] '''State Oriental Orthodoxy'''
|image = Oriental theocracy-0.png
|caption = Why have divine right when you can be the literal descendants of King Solomon!
|aliases = [[File:Orth oriental.png]] Oriental Orthodox Theocracy<br> [[File:OrthEth alt.png]] State Ethiopian Orthodoxy<br> [[File:AAC.png]] State Armenian Orthodoxy<br> [[File:Miaphysitism.png]] Miaphysite Theocracy<br> 
[[File:SyriacOrth.png]] Syriac Orthodoxy<br>
[[File:Copt.png]] Coptic Theocracy<br> Prester John (wrongly, by Europeans)<br>[[File:OrientMystic.png]] Oriental Mysticism<br>[[File:Cball-EthiopianEmpire.png]] Ethiopian Monarchism
|alignments = 
[[File:Authunity.png]] [[:Category:Authoritarian Unity|AuthUnity]] <br>
[[File:Trad.png]] [[:Category:Culturally Right|Culturally Right]]<br>
|influences = 
[[File:Orth.png]] [[Orthodox Theocracy]]<br>
[[File:Theocrat.png]] [[Authoritarianism|Theocracy]]<br>
|influenced = [[File:RastafTheo.png]] [[Black Nationalism|Rastafarianism]]<br>
[[File:Saadeh.png]] [[Saadehism]]
|school = 
[[File:Cball-EthiopianEmpire.png]] '''Haile Selassie Thought''' {{Collapse|
*[[File:Abolitionism.png]] [[Abolitionism]]
*[[File:Abmon.png]] [[Absolute Monarchism]] (Initially)
*[[File:Ethnonat.png]] [[Ethnonationalism|Amharacentrism]] (Accused)
*[[File:Anti-Colonial.png]] {{PCBA|Anti-Imperialism|Anti-Colonialism}} (Except for Eritrea)
*[[File:Anticommunism.png]] {{PCBA|Anti-Communism}} (Domestically)
*[[File:Antifash2.png]] [[Anti-Fascism]]
*[[File:AntiLibIcon.png]] {{PCBA|Anti-Liberalism}}
*[[File:AntiRacism.png]] Anti-Racism
*[[File:AntiSepa.png]] [[Irredentism|Anti-Separatism]]
*[[File:Antisoc.png]] {{PCBA|Anti-Socialism}} (Domestically)
*[[File:Antizion.png]] {{PCBA|Anti-Zionism}} (Later)
*[[File:Authoritarian Conservatism.png]] [[Authoritarian Conservatism]]
*[[File:Blackcon.png]] [[Conservatism|Black Conservatism]]
*[[File:ChristNat.png]] [[Religious Nationalism#Christian Nationalism|Christian Nationalism]]
*[[File:Feud.png]] [[Feudalism]]
*[[File:Gero.png]] [[Gerontocracy]]
*[[File:Imp.png]] [[Imperialism]] (In Eritrea)
*[[File:Indust.png]] [[Industrialism]]
*[[File:Klep.png]] [[Kleptocracy]]
*[[File:Meiji.png]] [[Constitutional Monarchism|Meijism]] <ref>The Meiji Constitution was used as a model for the 1931 Constitution of Ethiopia by the Ethiopian intellectual Tekle Hawariat Tekle Mariyam. This was one of the reasons why the progressive Ethiopian intelligentsia associated with Tekle Hawariat were known as "Japanizers".</ref>
*[[File:Moncap.png]] [[Monarcho-Capitalism]]
*[[File:NAM.png]] {{PCBA|Non-Alignedism|Neutralism}}
*[[File:Pan-Africanism.png]] [[Pan-Nationalism#Pan-Africanism|Pan-Africanism]]
*[[File:Plutocrat.png]] [[Plutocracy]]
*[[File:ReactPix.png]] [[Reactionary Modernism]]
*[[File:Realpolitik.png]] [[Machiavellianism|Realpolitik]]
*[[File:SemiConmon.png]] [[Constitutional Monarchism|Semi-Constitutional Monarchism]]
*[[File:Statecap.png]] [[State Capitalism]]
*[[File:NonRegTito.png]] [[Titoism]] (Sympathetic)
*[[File:Zio.png]] [[Zionism]] (For Ethiopian jews, initially later withdrew support)<ref>In a show of Third World solidarity, 20 African countries, including Ethiopia, joined 8 others which had done so beginning in early 1972 and severed formal ties with the Jewish state 
between 8 October and 12 November 1973.</ref><ref>Ethiopian Jews are Biblical, pre-Rabbinic Jews. They have the Torah (Written Law) but not the Talmud (Oral Law). Their language is not Hebrew, but Ge'ez. Their leaders are priests (kohanim) rather than rabbis. They have no knowledge of post-Biblical Jewish holidays such as Chanukah or Purim, or post-Biblical interpretations of the Law, e.g., the prohibition against mixing meat and milk. Until recently Ethiopian Jews practiced animal sacrifice, and ritual purification through immersion in water. They include observance of the Sabbath and Biblical dietary laws. They are religious Zionists - i.e., they dream of a return to Zion. They call themselves Beta Israel (House of Israel), and have wanted to live in the modern state of Israel since its establishment in 1948. They are not comparable to modern Judaism because they do not use the Talmud which developed a different perception of what their Zionism is.</ref>
}}
|theorists = 
* [[File:AAC.png]] [[Absolute Monarchism|Tiridates III the Great]] (250-330) Kingdom of Armenia
* [[File:Cball-EthiopianEmpire.png]] [[Constitutional Monarchism|Haile Selassie I]] (1892-1975) Ethiopian Empire
*[[File:Saadeh.png]] [[Saadehism|Antoun Saadeh]] (1904-1949) [[File:Cball-Syria.png]] {{PBW|Syriaball|Syria}}
*[[File:Aflaq.png]] [[Ba'athism|Michel Aflaq]] (1910-1989) [[File:Cball-Syria.png]] {{PBW|Syriaball|Syria}}
*[[File:SwedenSocDem.png]] [[Social Democracy|Ibrahim Baylan]] (1972-) [[File:Cball-Turkey.png]] Turkey/Sweden [[File:Cball-Sweden.png]]
|song = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFitDVSJ024 Der Voghormia]
[https://youtube.com/watch?v=xLxueldUWJM Ethiopia, Be Happy]
|likes = ☕ Coffee<br> [[File:Christy.png]] God<br> [[File:Cball-Ethiopia.png]] Ethiopia<br>[[File:Cball-Armenia.png]] Armenia<br>[[File:Solomon.png]] King Solomon
|dislikes = [[File:Fash.png]] Fascism<br>[[File:Ittihad.png]] The Young Turks<br> [[File:Mengistu_Mariam.png]] Communism<br> [[File:Muslim.png]] Islam
}}
'''State Oriental Orthodoxy''' is an Authoritarian Unity ideology that believes that Oriental Orthodoxy should be the state religion and the religion and state should help each other on issues but not interfere with each other. He is very religious, despises Muslims, and has a mixed relationship with his brother.

==History==
===Kingdom of Armenia===
It all started back in the Kingdom of Armenia with Tiridates III the Great. He had taken back the kingdom from Sassanid occupation with the help of Roman armies. Christianity was spreading in Armenia thanks to Gregory the Illuminator. Tridates arrested Gregory (partly because he was the son of his father) under the Khor Virap church. He was released in 297 to help Tridates after he lost sanity because he was betrayed by the Roman emperor Diocletian who invaded a vast amount of territory from the kingdom. In 301 Gregory baptized Tiridates III along with members of the royal court and upper class as Christians. Tiridates issued a decree by which he granted Gregory full rights to begin carrying out the conversion of the entire nation to the Christian faith. The same year Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion. Gregory continued to strengthen Christianity in the empire until he died in a small sanctuary near Mount Sebuh in the Daranali province. In 387, the Kingdom of Armenia was split between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Persian Empire. Western Armenia was given to the Eastern Romans and Eastern Armenia was given to the Sassanids. Eastern Armenia remained a kingdom within Persia until 428, when the local nobility overthrew the king, and the Sassanids installed a governor in his place.

===Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia===
After hundreds of years of Roman, Persian, and Arab rule, Armenia finally regained Independence in the 880's as Ashot I became the first king since 428. Oriental Orthodox Christianity was then resorted as the state religion. During this time period, the kingdom would not just have trouble with outside and internal conflict, but also with religious conflict as there was a heretical christian sect called the Tondrakians. They were anti feudal and were spreading around Armenia after the Arabs crushed them. Ashot III had realized the danger the Tondrakians posed against the kingdom and this was of his reasons why he directly subjected the Church to him, gave it lands, and sponsored the construction of new monasteries and churches. The message of the Tondrakians, however, continued to spread and successive Armenian kings would work to suppress its expansion. Another issue that arose was that the power relationship between catholicoi and secular rulers was sometimes a source of conflict. In 1037 king Hovhannes-Smbat of Ani deposed and imprisoned Catholicos Petros, who he suspected of holding pro-Byzantine views, and appointed a replacement catholicos. This persecution was highly criticized by the Armenian clergy, forcing Hovhannes-Smbat to release Petros and reinstall him to his former position. In 1038 a major ecclesiastical council was held in Ani, which denied the king the right to elect or remove a catholicos. Eventually in 1045 the kingdom fell and it split up into three kingdoms: The Kingdom of Syunik, The Kingdom of Tashir-Dzoraget, and The Kingdom of Artsakh (which we will talk about next).

===Kingdom of Artsakh and Principality of Khachen===
WIP

===Kingdom of Aksum===
WIP

==== Ethiopian Empire ====
Haile Selassie (1892–1975), ruled Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. His worldview developed across radically different phases—imperial consolidation, exile during fascist occupation, postwar reconstruction, and late-stage crisis—producing a system that blended '''reactionary modernism''', '''state capitalism''', and '''authoritarian conservatism''' with selective reform and international activism. Selassie’s ideology fused monarchy, religion, and modernization, while constantly adapting through '''realpolitik''' to shifting global pressures.

Selassie’s early rule was rooted in '''absolute monarchism (initially)''', inheriting and consolidating a centuries-old imperial system structured around aristocratic hierarchy and regional nobility. Ethiopia at the time retained strong elements of '''feudalism''', with land controlled by elites and the peasantry bound to traditional obligations. Power was concentrated within a narrow ruling class, producing dynamics often described as '''plutocracy''' and '''gerontocracy''', where wealth and age reinforced political authority. Despite this, Selassie initiated limited administrative reforms, laying the groundwork for a transition into '''semi-constitutional monarchism''', most notably with the 1931 and 1955 constitutions, which introduced formal institutions while preserving imperial dominance.

A defining rupture in Selassie’s rule came with the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, when Benito Mussolini’s Italy invaded Ethiopia. Selassie’s resistance and subsequent appeal to the League of Nations positioned him as a global symbol of '''anti-fascism''' and '''anti-colonialism'''. His famous 1936 speech in Geneva framed Ethiopia’s struggle as part of a broader fight against imperial aggression, elevating his international stature. However, this anti-colonial stance contained contradictions, particularly in relation to Eritrea, where Ethiopian control reflected elements of '''imperialism (in Eritrea)''' and '''anti-separatism''', as Selassie resisted movements seeking independence or autonomy.

Following his restoration to power in 1941, Selassie pursued a program of modernization that exemplified '''reactionary modernism'''—the adoption of modern technology and institutions without dismantling traditional authority. This included investments in infrastructure, education, and military development, reflecting a commitment to '''industrialism'''. Economically, his policies aligned with '''state capitalism''', as the government played a central role in directing development while allowing limited private enterprise. At times, this approach has been interpreted as containing elements of '''monarcho-capitalism''', where economic modernization operated under the authority of a centralized monarchy.

Selassie’s ideological orientation also reflected strong '''anti-communism (domestically)''' and '''anti-socialism (domestically)''', particularly during the Cold War. While Ethiopia maintained relations with both Western and Eastern blocs, Selassie resisted internal socialist movements, viewing them as threats to imperial authority and social order. His foreign policy, however, was characterized by '''neutralism''', balancing relations with major powers while preserving national autonomy. This pragmatic approach occasionally extended to sympathy for alternative socialist models, including '''Titoism (sympathetic)''', which offered a form of non-aligned socialism compatible with Ethiopian independence.

Culturally and socially, Selassie’s rule was deeply influenced by '''Christian nationalism''', rooted in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which served as a central pillar of imperial legitimacy. This religious foundation coexisted with a commitment to '''anti-racism''', as Selassie positioned Ethiopia as a symbol of Black sovereignty and resistance in a world shaped by colonialism. His leadership resonated globally, particularly among African and diasporic communities, contributing to his role as a key figure in '''Pan-Africanism'''. He hosted the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, reinforcing Ethiopia’s position as a diplomatic center for African unity.

At the same time, Selassie’s domestic policies were marked by accusations of '''Amharacentrism''', as the state promoted Amharic language and culture as national standards, often at the expense of Ethiopia’s diverse ethnic groups. This centralizing tendency aligned with his broader commitment to '''anti-separatism''', prioritizing national unity over regional autonomy. However, it also contributed to internal tensions that would later destabilize the regime.

Selassie’s economic and administrative system has also been criticized for elements of '''kleptocracy''', as wealth and resources were concentrated among elites connected to the imperial court. This concentration of power and privilege reinforced existing inequalities, limiting the effectiveness of modernization efforts and fueling dissatisfaction among emerging urban and educated populations.

In the realm of international politics, Selassie’s stance evolved over time. While initially supportive of '''Zionism'''—particularly in facilitating connections between Ethiopian Jewish communities and the emerging state of Israel—he later adopted a more critical position, aligning with broader African and non-aligned opposition, reflecting '''anti-Zionism (later)'''. This shift illustrates the adaptability of his foreign policy, guided by changing geopolitical alignments and domestic considerations.

Selassie’s ideological framework also incorporated elements reminiscent of '''Meijism''', drawing implicit parallels to the modernization of Japan during the Meiji Restoration. Like Japan, Ethiopia sought to modernize its military, bureaucracy, and economy while preserving its traditional hierarchy and cultural identity. This comparison highlights Selassie’s attempt to navigate the pressures of modernization without abandoning imperial continuity.

Ultimately, Haile Selassie Thought represents a complex synthesis of monarchy, modernization, and strategic adaptation. It integrates '''absolute monarchism''', later transitioning into '''semi-constitutional monarchism''', with '''state capitalism''', '''industrialism''', and '''reactionary modernism''', while maintaining a foundation of '''authoritarian conservatism''' and '''Christian nationalism'''. Its contradictions—between '''anti-colonialism''' and '''imperialism''', '''anti-racism''' and '''Amharacentrism''', reform and entrenched hierarchy—reflect the challenges of governing a diverse and historically layered society in an era of global transformation.

Selassie’s legacy remains deeply contested. He is remembered both as a symbol of African independence and international diplomacy, and as a ruler whose centralized and unequal system ultimately failed to adapt to rising social and political pressures. His ideology, shaped by '''realpolitik''' and evolving global dynamics, stands as a case study in the possibilities and limits of reform within a traditional imperial framework.

== Beliefs ==
State Oriental Orthodoxy believes that Oriental Orthodox Christianity should be the official state religion. In this system, the religion and government would help each other when necessary. Church officials would give advice to the government and the church would rely on the government’s patronage and contributions. The government would also help out whenever the religion is having a dispute.

== Variants ==

==Personality and Behavior==
State Oriental Orthodoxy is very religious. He is often seen praying, reading religious texts, and preaching to get new converts. He also despises Muslims. Whenever he sees a Muslim he always says something behind their back or even gets confrontational with the Muslim. He also has a mixed relationship with his brothers. They always see each other as apostolic church buddies until someone brings up the council of chalcedon. After that, everything gets VERY tense.

==How to Draw==
{{Flag|East_orth_theo_flag.svg}}
# Draw a ball
# Draw a green-yellow-red horizontal flag in the middle
# At the bottom, draw a red shield with blue-yellow-green vertical stripes and a black top with golden decorations
# Behind the shield, draw two golden crossed staffs - one crooked, one with a purple cross
# Above the shield, draw a golden pentagon with a cross bordered by a black circle inside and a plus on top.
# From the sides of a pentagon, draw golden stripes that go to the bottom
# Draw a Coptic Priest hat (an "emma")
# Draw eyes and you're done!
{{Flag-auto
|c1 = Green|h1 = #018A2C
|c2 = Yellow|h2 = #FDE740
|c3 = Red|h3 = #DB0A13}}

==Relationships==
===Friends===
* [[File:Christy.png]] [[Christian Theocracy]] - Jesus was oriental orthodox, right?
* [[File:Trad.png]] [[Traditionalism]] - We must hold to the values that God gave us.
*[[File:orth.png]] [[Orthodox Theocracy]] - Based Orthobro. The Byzantine Empire was good while it lasted, so I built the churches of Lalibella to impress you.
*[[File:Mani.png]] Manichaeism - Although I dislike how this religion originated from Persia, it recognizes Ethiopia as the mighty regional realm.
*[[File:Tito.png]] [[Titoism]] - Non-Aligned brother. (And nice work with the Catholic Ustašas)

===Frenemies===
* [[File:catheo.png]] [[Catholic Theocracy]] - I will thank my fellow Portuguese brothers for saving us from [[File:Muslim 2.png]] [[Islamic Theocracy|him]], but stop trying to convert me! I had to execute many [[File:Jesuits.png]] Jesuits so Ethiopia could remain Orthodox!
*[[File:Saadeh.png]] [[Saadehism]] - Saadeh is based, but too secular for me.
*[[File:Baath.png]] [[Ba'athism]] - Same with Aflaq.

===Enemies===
*[[File:fash.png]] [[Fascism]] - Go back to Italy! <small>But you inspired my abolition of slavery.</small>
*[[File:Muslim.png]] [[Islamic Theocracy]] - I tolerated your prophet when he needed to seek refugee, and you repay it by blockading me from the outside world and attacking us?!
*[[File:Zoroastrian_Theocracy.png]] [[Zoroastrian Theocracy]] - Curse you, Farsi! You persecuted Christians in Armenia and prevented Ethiopia from expanding Christianity into Yemen!
*[[File:Mengistu_Mariam.png]] [[African Socialism|Mariamism]] - You overthrew the Solomoc dynasty and straved my country!
*[[File:JewTheo.png]] [[Jewish Theocracy]] - Gudit! I expel you from Ethiopia!!!!
*[[File:Ittihad.png]] [[Ittihadism]] - I will never forgive you for the Armenian Genocide!

==Further Information==

=== Literature ===

* [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1569023891 ALLIANCE AND ALIENATION: Ethiopia and Israel in the Days of Haile Selassie] by Haggi Erlich
* [https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA378841.pdf ETHIOPIA'S FOREIGN RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL 1955-1998] by Jennifer A Joyce

=== Articles ===
* [https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/plight-ethiopian-jews The Plight of Ethiopian Jews]

=== Wikipedia ===
*[[w:Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodoxy]]
*[[w:Miaphysitism|Miaphysitism]]
*[[w:Kingdom_of_Aksum|Kingdom of Aksum]]
*[[w:Haile_Selassie|Haile Selassie]]
*[[w:Ethiopian Empire|Ethiopian Empire]]

==Gallery==
===Portraits and Artwork===
<gallery>
Christcompass.png|"Christianity compass" by [[File:Even.png]] [[User:Evenosky|Evenosky]]
Oriental theocracy.png
Theocompass.png|"Theocracies compass" By [[Community:Spade|Spade]]
</gallery>

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