The Ethiopian Orthodox Church St Mary of Zion

Analysis

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church St Mary of Zion is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in July 1981, 45 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, overseas aid/famine relief and religious activities, which this site groups under overseas aid and international. Legally it is a charitable trust. It says it provides other finance and provides services.

In the financial year ending August 2025, The Ethiopian Orthodox Church St Mary of Zion reported income of £1.6m and spending of £174k, leaving 89% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from August 2021 to August 2025, income grew from £85k to £1.6m (+1765%), an average of +108% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to August 2025, when income rose by 385%. Over the whole period it spent 44% of the income it received.

Among 1,223 England and Wales charities whose main cause is overseas aid and international and that reported income, The Ethiopian Orthodox Church St Mary of Zion sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Village Water Limited (£1.5m), Afrikids Limited (£1.6m) and UK Gives Ltd (£1.5m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 98% and trading 2.0%. Charitable activities took 27% of spending and raising funds 57%. Reserves of £354k would cover about 23 months of spending at that rate.

Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.