Catholicose Baselios Paulose II begins Apostolic Visit to Ethiopia

Fr. Abraham Thomas, Secretary- Department of Ecumenical Relations of the Indian Orthodox Malankara Church – 25/9/17 – The Oriental Orthodox Communion 

Addis Ababa – Ethiopia: His Holiness Abune Mathias the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has invited His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II (Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas and Primate of the Indian Orthodox Malankara Church) to be the Chief Guest for the Celebrations of the Holy Meskel 2017, which is the Feast of the Holy Cross, a national Festival of Ethiopia.

In the personal invitation of His Holiness the Patriarch (Ref. P/S/165/421/2017 dated 17/01/2017), he has mentioned that the holiday is of national and international importance since it is recognized and registered by UNESCO as “Intangible World Heritage”.

His Grace Metropolitans Mar Thimothios, Mar Nicodimos, Fr. Aswin Fernandes and Mr. Jacob Mathew comprise the official delegation. Fr. Dr. Jossi Jacob, representative of His Holiness the Catholicos in Addis Ababa is coordinating the events liaising with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The visit is from 25-29 September 2017.

The following are the major events:
 The Official public reception to His Holiness the Catholicos at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa
 Audience with the President of the Republic of Ethiopia Hon. Mulatu Teshome
 Addressing the common public as Chief Guest of the Celebration of Holy Meskel at the Meskel Square along with His Holiness Abune Mathias
 Official Session with the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church chaired by His Holiness the Patriarch
 Public Reception at the Church of Holy Cross in Lalibella
A group of pilgrims led by His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos Metropolitan after visiting Jordan, Israel, and Egypt will be joining in Addis Ababa for the celebrations of the Holy Meskel.

Source:
Ecumenical Relations Department