Nine Years in Detention for Christ: Patriarch Antonios & Persecuted Christians of Eritrea

Latest Know Pic of Patriarch Abune Antonios (OCP Media Network 2015)

OCP News Service – 23/5/16

Latest Snap and information on the detained Patriarch Abune Antonios of Eritrea
http://ocpsociety.org/blog/news/?p=34405

Eritrean Orthodox Faithful Call to Restore Patriarch Abune Antonios
http://ocpsociety.org/blog/news/eritrean-orthodox-faithful-call-to-restore-patriarch-abune-antonios/

The Detained Patriarch, Persecuted Christians and a Dying Church of Eritrea
http://ocpsociety.org/blog/news/the-detained-patriarch-persecuted-christians-and-a-dying-church/

An Initiative To Form An Eritrean Muslim Council
http://awate.com/an-initiative-to-form-an-eritrean-muslim-council/

Restore Patriarch Antonios
http://www.abuneantonios.com/

Excommunication Notice from the Union of Eritrean Orthodox Monasteries
http://ocpsociety.org/blog/news/excommunication-notice-from-the-union-of-eritrean-orthodox-monasteries/

Global: The month of May 2016 marks the 9th year of the illegal detention of His Holiness Patriarch Antonios of Eritrea by the governmental authorities in the capital city of Asmara. Despite of several international efforts, the Patriarch remains under house arrest since May 2007.

Let us keep our Father and the persecuted Christians in daily prayers. May God keep him safe.

Briefing on the Detention

A secret session of the Holy Synod in January 2006 at Asmara formally removed Patriarch from his office and on 20th January.  On 20 January 2007, two priests accompanied by security persons of the Government the Patriarch’s residence and confiscated his personal pontifical insignia. On 27 May 2007, Abune Antonios was replaced by  Abune Discoros (Passed Away Recently) with the support from the Eritrean Government. 

Eritrean Muslim Community
The Muslim community of Eritrea face many difficulties. The Last formally elected Mufti was the late Mufti Ibrahim AlMukhtar who passed away in the year 1969. Sheikh Alamin installed by the ruling party is not recognized by majority of the Muslims in the country.

As per World Watch Monitor, there are several Christians leaders who are under detention. Below mention is a list of the most famous prisoners.

Abune Antonios
Head of the Orthodox Church, removed from his position in 2007 after criticising the Eritrean government for interference in church activities. Two priests accompanied by government security agents entered the Patriarch’s residence and confiscated his personal pontifical insignia. He was replaced by Abune Dioskoros (Passed away recently) – a development orchestrated by the Eritrean government. Patriarch Antonios, who has never been charged with any offence, remains under house arrest and strict state surveillance.

Ogbamichael Teklehaimanot
Senior pastor of the Kale Hiwot Church. Arrested for participating in a Protestant wedding ceremony in Barentu on 9 January, 2005. Taken to Asmara Police Station No. 5, then subjected to 10 months of solitary confinement and hard labour at Sawa military camp. Released after six years, then re-arrested six months later, after a fleeing church member, who was being monitored, called him. Now back in prison in Barentu, where he has been for 11 years in total.

Kidane Weldou
Senior pastor of the Full Gospel Church and member of the executive committee of Gideons International in Eritrea. When his vehicle was found abandoned in 2005, his wife and four children assumed he had been arrested. Believed to be in Wongel Mermera prison.

Haile Naigzhi
Leader of Eritrea’s Full Gospel Church, arrested at his home during the early hours of 23 May, 2004, and taken to Police Station #1 in Asmara.

Kiflu Gebremeskel
Founder and senior pastor of Southwest Full Gospel Church, and member of the executive committee to the Full Gospel Church of Eritrea. Before he became a full-time pastor, Dr. Gebremeskel was also a mathematics lecturer and until 1999 was department and faculty head at the University of Asmara. Has a Ph.D. in mathematics from Chicago University. Taken from his home in Asmara Gejeret in May 2004. Wife and four children have not been able to visit him.

Million Gebreselasie
Anaesthetist and pastor of Massawa Rhema Church. Arrested on 3 June, 2004, five days after another pastor, Tesfasion Hagos (who has since been released and granted asylum in another country), visited his church and home. Arrested at a police checkpoint just before entering Asmara, as he was returning Pastor Hagos’ belongings to his home. Taken to the 2nd Police Station, where he was held for about two months, before being relocated to Wongel Mermera, where he remains. Unmarried.

Futsum Gebrenegus
Eritrea’s only psychiatrist. Also served as an Orthodox priest. Arrested in Nov. 2004 for allegedly being involved in the renewal movement within the Orthodox Church.

Gebremedhin Gebregiorsis
Expert theologian and Orthodox priest also arrested in Nov. 2004 for allegedly being involved in the renewal movement within the Orthodox Church.

Tekleab Menghisteab
Doctor and Orthodox priest also arrested in Nov. 2004 for alleged involvement in the renewal movement within the Orthodox Church.

Source:
OCP News Service- World Watch Monitor