The Emperor himself was the defender of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, that also has a concept of Zion, . It is also used to refer to Axum, the ancient capital and religious centre of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, or to its primary church, called Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion.
The Emperor's role in protecting the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is linked to the concept of Zion.  This concept is also used to refer to Axum, the ancient capital and religious center for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, and its primary church, the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion.