His Holiness Urges World to Pray for End of Human Suffering in the New Year

ESG – OCP News Service – 01/01/2024

Addis Ababa- Ethiopia: In a heartfelt message of peace, His Holiness Abune Matthias, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, called upon the global community to pray for an end to human suffering in the New Year. The message, delivered on the occasion of the New Year (2024), expressed His Holiness’ sincere wish for a safe and prosperous future for all.

Highlighting that diversity is a divine gift, Abune Matthias emphasized the equality of all people in the eyes of God and per nature. However, he lamented the current state of the world, describing it as a place of horror and disaster, where innocent lives are ravaged by war, homelessness is on the rise, and refugees are forced to flee from conflicts. Additionally, he underscored the presence of global socio-economic and political crises.

As the leader of an Apostolic Church, His Holiness stressed the need for collective action and the engagement of fraternal Churches and concerned bodies. He as well rallied for collaboration with organizations sharing a similar foundation to address the pressing issues of our time.

Abune Matthias further emphasized that the Ethiopian Church has been actively praying for peace for the country and the world. Furthermore, he stated that the Church has been providing assistance to victims whenever possible.

In his concluding remarks, His Holiness exhorted citizens of the world to beseech God for an end to human suffering, and implored conflicting parties across the globe to seek resolution through dialogue and discussion rather than resorting to violence, which diminishes human dignity and yields no true benefit.

Source:
His Holiness’ Secretariat