According to the Ethiopian Tradition, each one of the 12 Apostles comes from one among the 12 tribes of Israel, thus fulfilling his own personal life as the prophetical resonance of his ancient tribal Patriarch.
To ovastand the spirtual character of our tribal fathers is the first step to identify symbols and qualities of the 12 tendencies (at-tribu-tes) of human beings, and it should be taken before any astrological elaboration, if one has to discover and determine the I-self.
Take notice of the traditional Ethiopian wisdom in this regard, for someone has tried to reconstruct the identity of the Apostles according to individual perspectives and without the knowledge of the fathers, committing many faults and falsifying the doctrine. Nobody can know with surety about the Apostles, except the Ethiopian Orthodox Church descending from the Apostles.
Of Her, Haile Selassie I said: “Ethiopia, an island of Christianity, has made her own distinctive contribution to the Christian faith; for, ever since her conversion to Christianity she has remained faithful, her age-old ties with the Apostolic church uninterrupted”. (Selected Speeches p. 637). “Holy Fathers, as the spiritual descendants of the Apostles of Christ you have an eminent responsibility” (Selected Speeches p. 639).
THE TRIBES OF THE 12 APOSTLES (+ Paul as 13th)
*** Peter was of the House of Simeon, through his mother.
*** Andrew the brother of Peter, was of the House of Ruben, through his father. In certain instances, Andrew is counted in Simeon and Peter in Ruben.
*** James of Zebedee was of the House of Levi, through his father.
*** John of Zebedee (the Beloved writer of Revelation) was of the House of Judah, through his mother.
*** Philip was of the House of Zebulon.
*** Bartholomew (formerly called John) was of the House of Neftali.
*** Matthew was of the House of Isacchar.
*** Thomas was of the House of Asher.
*** James son of Alpheus, was of the house of Gad.
*** Thaddeus was of the House of Joseph.
*** Simon of Cleopas (also called Nathaniel) was of the House of Benjamin.
*** Judas Iscariot was of the House of Dan.
*** Matyas, the one who replaced Judas Iscariot, was of the House of Efraim (Joseph)
*** Paul (formerly called Saul) was of the House of Benjamin.
Main Ethiopian traditional sources: “Gedle Hawaryat” (“The Contendings of the Apostles”), Andemtà (Amharic commentary of each book of the Bible), “Book of the Mysteries of Heaven and Earth”
