Patriarch Abune Matthias Sends Greetings to Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III on the Occasions of Saint Thomas Heritage Assembly

ESG – OCP News Service – 25/02/2024

Addis Ababa- Ethiopia: His Holiness Abune Matthias, Patriarch and Catholicos of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Archbishop of Axum and Ichege of the See of Saint Taklehaimanot, sent greetings in a letter addressed to His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan (the Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Church – India), on the occasion of the 1950th memorial of Saint Thomas, and 90th death anniversary of Malankara Metropolitan Saint Dionysius.

His Grace Abune Melchizedek, Archbishop of Gurage, East Gurage, and Mareko Special District Dioceses and Head of Abune Zena Markos Theological College represented the Patriarch for the celebrations and handed over the greeting to the Catholicos.

His Holiness expressed his delight for the invitation that was extended to the EOTC and recalled the historical aspects shared by the two fraternal Churches from the Era of the Apostles to the present state of bilateral relations. The Primate further noted that the invitation showed strengthened interconnections.

Abune Matthias emphasized in his letter the importance of the memorials of the Apostle St. Thomas, who had traveled to Southern India, and St. Dionysius, who spent his life standing firm in St. Thomas’ Apostolic Tradition. His Holiness added that the meeting, which delegates of the EOTC will have with the Malankara Orthodox Church of India, will contribute to strengthen unity and collaboration.

Lastly, the Ethiopian Patriarch stated that he was not able to travel and participate in the memorial service and bilateral meetings because of different circumstances and work load. His Holiness offered prayers for the success of the meeting and the Apostolic mission.

Source:
His Holiness’ Secretariat