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On Akpakpava Road in the heart of Benin City, the Edo State capital, is a church founded over 500 years ago, according to the Nation.
The architectural design of the building tells its story. It does not advertise itself; yet has a large following. The Oba of Benin is its spiritual head, reports Osagie Otabor.
The Holy Aruosa Cathedral is to the Bini people what the Church of England is to the English people; no wonder it is referred to as the Church of Benin.
Welcome to the Holy Aruosa (the eye of God) Cathedral an inscription on the church building reads.
Members of the Holy Arousa are different from flocks of other religious bodies: they are seldom seen sharing pamphlets to convert members or inviting people to the church. The church leaders do not hold crusades or revival services to convert 'souls', neither do they invite people to experience miracles.
Legend has it that the church was located at the place because it was the spot the Bini had direct contact with Osanobua (God) long before the coming of the European explorers and missionaries.
According to the folklore, a powerful spiritual leader known as Okhuaihe was said to have offered to personally take the peoples' plea to God as a result of drought and pestilence that had infected the land. He gave up his life during one of the prayer sessions.
He was expected to return and bring succour to the people.
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