
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, October 18, 1993                   TAG: 9310180052
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: BALTIMORE                                LENGTH: Short

PROTEST MARS OPENING OF `AFRICAN ZION' EXHIBIT

An exhibit of Christian artwork from Ethiopia opened to the public Sunday, a day after protests over the scheduled appearance of the head of that country's church forced cancellation of a private showing.

"African Zion: The Sacred Art of Ethiopia" is beginning its national tour in Baltimore. It chronicles the tradition of Christianity in the East African country from the fourth century through the 18th century with more than 100 manuscripts, icons and gold and silver metalwork.

Several hundred people protested Saturday both against and in support of the Abuna Pawlos, head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, who was inside the gallery at the time.

Protesters said the patriarch is a puppet of the government and has not spoken out about violence against Christians in his country.

- Associated Press

by CNB