Orthodox Christian Youth Fight Fire In Forest of Debre Asbo Monastery

OCP News Service – 24/3/21

Addis Abab-Ethiopia: Fire has struck the forests of the Monastery of Debre Asbo of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church located in the West Harage Zone (District of Mieso at the locality of Asebot) of the Oromia Regional State.

The Monastery of Debre Asbo founded by Abune Samuel of Debre Wegeg in the 13th Century. The cause for the fires remained unknown. The area has been a hotbed for attacks for the past 30 years. In the past, the invading forces of Fascist Italy in the 1930s burnt down one of the Churches of the monastery and more damages were caused by the Somalian invasion (during the reign of Siad Barre). Orthodox Christians were persecuted and even murdered at the beginning of July 2020 before the eyes of law enforcement agents. The riot took the lives of 67 Orthodox Christians according to the reports of the Holy Synod. In 1993, 16 faithful and monks were slaughtered in the Monastery.

The government has been slow in reacting to the fire incident. Due to the negligence from the officers, Orthodox Christian youth (from Harar and Asebe Teferi -Chiro) has already started battling the fire. They also hope to obtain an urgent solution to the situation.

Source:
OCP News Service