Father of Eritrea Orthodox Church in UK passed Away

4/6/2010

By:
Tamiru Geda

Abba Hailemariam Tekie, one of the founding members of the Eritreans Orthodox church in the United Kingdom passed away on 25/05/2010 .Several Ethiopians and Eritreans worshipers have expressed their grief and deep sadness. They also paid tribute at the memorial service held in London for his devotion to his belief.

Abba Hailemariam,85, was born to Ato Tekie Solomon and wro. Tedlea Mussie in Adi Gehad in Eretria. He spent the majority of his teenage and adult years in Ethiopia and attended different religious studies. In his early 20’s he moved to Waldeba Monastery in Gonder , Ethiopia where he served the monastery for forty two years in accordance with the faith and principles of his predecessors. Before he moved to London he spent eight months in Egypt where he got tremendous impression from his fellow Egyptian monks particularly from Pope Shinouda III of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark. The Eritreans Orthodox Church and Egyptians Orthodox Church remain in full communion with each other. Finally, the pope encouraged Abba Hailemariam’s interest in spiritual work and urged him to go to United Kingdom , to look after his children in Christ.

In early 1990’s Abba Hailemariam took Shinouda’s advice very seriously and travelled to London .He and his Christian followers established Eritreans Orthodox Kidane mehret Church.

Many Ethiopians and Eritreans Orthodox church goers ,in United Kingdom , remember the late Abba Hailemariam, good spiritual father, who always treat all believers equally regardless different in politics, ethnic back ground and language barriers . The remains of Abba Hailemariam is taken to Jerusalem, where his funeral is to be conducted.

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