More than 25 Orthodox Christians Killed in a Week in Oromia, Ethiopia
ESG – OCP News Service – 01/11/2025
Addis Ababa- Ethiopia: The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is mourning yet another wave of brutal violence against its members, following one of the deadliest weeks of the year in the Oromia Regional State, where more than 25 Orthodox Christians were killed in a series of coordinated assaults.
On October 24, 2025, near the historic Asebot Monastery in West Hararghe Zone, militants identified as members of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) reportedly targeted the monastery and nearby residents. The attack claimed the life of one believer, Mr. Anbes Felate, and left his son, Betre Anbes, critically injured. Betre is currently receiving medical treatment in Adama. Two others—Mr. Ayewa Girma Meshesha and Disciple Kinfe, were abducted during the assault.
Oromia Special Forces have since been deployed to the area to prevent further violence. Asebot Monastery, however, has faced repeated attacks since the early 1990s, underscoring the long-standing insecurity for Orthodox Christians in the region.
Additional incidents were reported in the East Arsi Diocese of the Arsi Zone, an area that has become an epicenter of anti-Orthodox violence over the past five years. More than a dozen churches in the region have either been closed or forced to suspend services due to ongoing security threats, while at least three have been looted.
The first of the latest series of attacks occurred on Friday, October 24, in the districts of Guna (Nono Jawi locality) and Merti, where 17 Orthodox Christians were killed. The second took place on Monday, October 27, in the Hela Zebaba locality of Sherka District, claiming three more lives. In this district alone, more than 115 faithful have been killed over the past two years, and thousands have fled from at least nine localities. The third attack followed on Tuesday, October 28, in the Qeqsa locality of Honkolo Wabe District, where five additional believers were slain.
Victims of the attacks included entire families, with ages ranging from two to seventy-six years old. Several faithful and servants were also abducted.
Local residents have repeatedly voiced their concerns to diocesan and regional authorities, but their appeals have gone unanswered.
His Eminence Abune Henock—currently residing in South Africa and a survivor of the 2020 Orthodox massacre in Oromia—condemned the killings and called for justice. Meanwhile, His Eminence Abune Yared, Archbishop overseeing the affected diocese and former Head of the Patriarchate, has remained silent, prompting frustration among clergy and laity who accuse Church leadership of inaction.
In response to mounting pressure from the faithful, the Acting Synod, led by His Holiness Abune Matthias, issued a press statement on Thursday, October 30, 2025, through its Secretary, His Eminence Abune Dioscoros, condemning the repeated attacks—though notably refraining from naming the perpetrators.
The continuing violence underscores the deepening insecurity faced by Orthodox Christians in Oromia, further aggravated by official denial of the killings by Mr. Ibrahim Kedir, Administrator of the Arsi Zone.
Sources:
– Mahibere Kidusan Broadcast Service
– Tewahedo Media Center
– Ethio Beteseb Media
– Meseret Media
– EOTC TV
– BBC Amharic
