Addis Ababa, April 13, 2021
Photo: mospat.ru
“We are very grateful for the words of solidarity and comfort that we always receive from the Russian Orthodox Church,” Patriarch-Catholicos Abune Mathias of the Ethiopian Tewahedo Church writes in a new letter of thanks to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
As Patriarch Mathias writes in his letter, published on the site of the Russian Church’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR), the Ethiopian faithful are subjected to severe and constant persecution, but they take strength knowing that the Russian faithful are concerned for them and constantly pray for them.
In October, the DECR made a statement calling attention to the ongoing persecution of Ethiopian Christians, and in December, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, the head of the DECR, called for the creation of a Christian alliance to more effective work to protect African Christians.
The Ethiopian primate begins by quoting Holy Scripture: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you (1 Pt. 5:7).
“In the past few years, marked by the persecution of our church in various spheres, the words of deepest concern expressed by Your Holiness and the prayers of the faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church serve as a true proof that we are bound by true ties in our Lord Jesus Christ,” Pat. Mathias writes.
“We believe that mutual comfort, guidance and care are things that Christians should enkindle in their souls with prayers and deeds. By praying together and sharing our pain and suffering with each other, we glorify our Almighty God, while the sin-ridden world always seeks to hurt us or neglect our sores,” he continues.
While the Ethiopian primate speaks of “true ties in our Lord Jesus Christ,” it is important to remember that that the Ethiopian Tewahedo Church is not in communion with the Orthodox Church, but is part of the Non-Chalcedonian church together with the Coptics, Armenians, Syriacs, and Indians, though Orthodox Christians can pray for all who face persecution.
“We are now facing new challenges that affect the lives, property and dignity of many citizens, especially our spiritual children living in different parts of the country. Churches, ancient monasteries, and church social centers are constantly being targeted. Clergymen carrying out their ministry, and innocent believers, including children, are subjected to severe persecution. This tragedy, which carries away the sacred lives of our people, their dignity and heritage, will not end soon,” the Ethiopian Patriarch continues.
In January, more than 700 Ethiopian Tewahedo Christians were killed at the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Askum, where the Ethiopians believe the Ark of the Covenant is housed.
And the Patriarch concludes: “As you, Your Holiness, have pointed out, according to the word of the Apostle Peter, we place all our concerns on Him, believing and hoping that the God of Peace will soon send us peace and put an end to our suffering. May the Almighty God bless our world!”
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, Parler, MeWe, and Gab!
