Defenders of the lost ark: Hundreds of worshippers protected Ark of the Covenant as Ethiopian rebels and soldiers battled near church where it is secured, it is revealed

• WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT 
• Worshippers were defending the Church of St Mary of Zion, in holy city of Axum
• The church is said to be where the Ark of the Covenant is secured
• Ark is believed to house stone tablets etched with Bible’s Ten Commandments
• Ethiopian soldiers and those from Eritrea have been fighting rebel forces
• Militia are loyal to former Tigrayan regional government 

By HARRY HOWARD FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 06:53 EST, 20 February 2021 | UPDATED: 10:13 EST, 20 February 2021