Over 690 Indigenous People Baptized by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Amid Persecution

Menetasnot Desta – Delegate of Horn of Africa & Head of Ethiopian Affairs – OCP News Service – 22/2/21

Addis Ababa- Ethiopia: St. Moses, the black, Ethiopian monk was one of the monastic fathers commemorated in ancient churches, especially in the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. Even though he is one of the most famous Church Fathers and Saint, there was no separate Church in his name for several decades. However, on the 21st of February, 2021 the first Church was consecrated in the Hamer Woreda Buska area of the South Omo diocese by the name “Debere Tsehaye St. Mary and St. Moses the black monastery.”

During the festive celebrations, around 690 indigenous Ethiopians were baptized for the South Omo of Pastoral Comunity. During the last five years, Ethiopian Orthodox evangelism has expanded in the Southern and Western part of the country amid the attacks and persecution faced by the Church and its faithful. In 2020, more than 10,000 were newly baptized and unknown numbers of former Christian returned to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Such progress has been achieved as a result of the commitment of Diocese leaders and servants, Mahibere Kidusan and other Orthodox Associations and indigenous Evangelists who preach in the local language.

The ceremony was lead by H.G Abune Philipos (Archbishop of the South Omo and Holy Trinity Theological University), H.G Abune Yoseph (Secretary of the Holy Synod and Archbishop of Sidama, Gedio and Burji ), H.G Abune Nathanael (Archbishop of Eastern Wollega, Horuguderu, and West Shewa), H.G Abune Melketsedike (Archbishop Addis Ababa and Gurage), and H.G Abune Heriakos (Archbishop Kembata of Silte, Hadiya and South Africa Dioceses).

Source:
OCP News Service