New Facilities for Patriarch Abune Merkorios of Ethiopia

Solomon Kibriye (Senior Editor – Ethiopian Affairs) – 4/10/18

Addis Ababa- Ethiopia: Recently, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia presented the keys of a large house to Patriarch Abune Merkorios which was intended to be the new residence for His Holiness (more conducive to his health needs). The newly renovated home served as the residence of the Mayor of Addis Ababa until recent times. It is a spacious one story villa in the Kasanchis Aware district of the city.

The house was thought to be a better environment for the Patriarch as there are no staircases. However, after the discussions between Patriarch Abune Merkorios, Patriarch Abune Mathias, and their staffs, it was agreed that separating the two Patriarchal households would encourage splits and division, and would not be in the spirit of the recent healing of the schism.

Therefore, it has been decided that the two Patriarchs will continue to remain in the Patriarchate and that a new one-story residence will be built on the grounds of the Patriarchate which will meet the medical and mobility needs of Abune Merkorios in a better manner.

Their Holinesses the Patriarch’s of Ethiopia presided over the celebrations of the ‘Meskel’ in Addis Ababa, together with His Excellency Mulatu Teshome – the President of the Federal Republic.

Source:
OCP News Service