Patriarch Abune Antonios of Eritrea Detained Again

His Holiness Abune Antonios – Patriarch of Eritrea

Yonas Gredew (Delegate of Ethiopia and All Africa)- OCP News Service – 19/7/17

Additional information on the Situation of Abune Antonios from members of Arbi Harnet in Asmara

Addis Ababa-Ethiopia: New reports state that His Holiness Abune Antonios – the canonical Patriarch of Eritrea is again under house arrest in the capital city of Asmara. The Eritrean government succeeded in creating propaganda that Patriarch Abune Antonios was restored to his throne.

Ten Years of Illegal Detention of Patriarch Abune Antonios of Eritrea

This was nothing, but a government gimmicks to bluff the international community. Last Sunday several photos of Patriarch Abune Antonios attending Divine Liturgy were posted in social media stating that problems between His Holiness Abune Antonios and the Holy Synod of the Eritrean church have come to an end.

Recent reports said that Patriarch Abune Antonios has fallen ill which resulted from drug poisoning.

But, after Sunday Liturgy, the Patriarch was arrested and moved to some unknown location in the capital city of Asmara. Several canonical Eritrean Orthodox officials have confirmed the detention of Patriarch Abune Antonios.

Serious Concern about Truth of Reported Confession of Ousted Patriarch of Eritrean Orthodox Church

Patriarch Abune Antonios continues to be a victim of the ongoing political propaganda in the country.

Good news – Eritrean Orthodox Schism Resolved?

Brief Outline of the Detention
A secret session of the Holy Synod in January 2006 at Asmara formally removed Patriarch from his office and on 20th January. Two priests accompanied by Government security forces invaded Patriarch’s residence and confiscated his personal pontifical insignia.

Violating the church canons and constitution, the government installed Bishop Dioscoros of Mendefera as the anti-patriarch on 27th May 2007 (Dioscoros passed away in 2016). Abune Antonios on the same day was forced to move out of his office and has been detained at an undisclosed location somewhere in the capital city of Asmara.

Source:
OCP News Service