Africa-Press – Ethiopia. s Ababa March 13/2022/ENA/ The body of the 4th
Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, Abune Merkorios, has been
buried at the Holy Trinity Cathedral
after a half-day funerial ceremonies in the presence of dignitaries including
President Sahle-Work Zewde.
The funeral services of Abune Merkorios, the fourth Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church was conducted at Holy Trinity Cathedral Church in Addis Ababa in the presence of dignitaries including President Sahle-Work Zewde.
Abune
Merkorios was born in 1938 to his father Blata Fenta Tesema and his mother W/ro
Lemlem Gessesse in the former province of Gondar.
By the
time he was old enough to go to school, he studied readings, and Psalms from
Merigeta Lakew.
Before
his elevation to the episcopacy, his name was Abba Ze-Libanos Fanta, Abba
Ze-Libanos served at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa. In 1976, he was
raised as bishop Merkorios by Patriarch Abuna Tekla Haymanot over his home
province of Beghemidir (then known as Gondar Province).
Abune
Merkorios, was elected after the death of Abuna Takla Haymanot in May 1988.
His
Holiness Abune Merkorios, was canonically chosen to be the fourth patriarch of
the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church on 28 August,1988, after His Holiness
Abune Tekelehymanot, who passed away on 5 June, 1988.
His
Holiness Abune Merkorios, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
was exiled from his beloved country, Ethiopia and his people for twenty-six
years, living in prayers and delivering his apostolic services in diaspora.
During all these years, His Holiness prayed unceasingly for the unity of the
church peace, justice and stability in Ethiopia, continuously longing for his
return to his country every day in his supplication before the almighty God.
By the
initiative of the then newly elected Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed,
reconciliation talks between the two divided synods began anew, and on July 27,
2018, the representatives of the two synods reached agreement.
Upon
his return from the United States, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed brought His
Holiness Abune Merkorios and other archbishops
back to Ethiopia, by the same flight, on 1 August, 2018.
Abune Merkorios returned
Ethiopia after 26 years of exile. During his
stay in the United States of America, Patriarch Abune Merkoris has continued his evangelical
services, ordaining many bishops and priests of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido
Church.
Bishops from sisterly
Oriental Orthodox Churches including Coptic Orthodox Church, the Indian Orthodox Church, the Syrian
Orthodox Church, Armenia Orthodox Church has attended the funeral ceremonies.
Also, representatives of World Council of Churches, All Africa Conference of Churches
and others attended the funeral services.
Abune Merkorios became
hermit, praying unceasingly. Abune Merkorios died on 4 March, 2022,aged 84.
For More News And Analysis About Ethiopia Follow Africa-Press
