Seven years of Illegal Detention of Patriarch Abune Antonios of Eritrea

Detained Patriarch Abune Antonios of Eritrea

OCP News Service – 23/5/14

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Latest Snap and information on the detained Patriarch Abune Antonios of Eritrea

The Detained Patriarch, Persecuted Christians and a Dying Church

Global: We have entered the seventh year  since the illegal detain of the canonical Patriarch Abune Antonios of Eritrea. As per the latest info the Patriarch has been detained in one of the locations in Asmara the capital city of Eritrea. A recent snap taken by one of the Orthodox faithful with a mobile camera was published by OCP Media Network which remains to be the latest picture of the detained Patriarch. The place of detention has not been revealed and it is believed to be a military cantonment area.

Briefing 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 security persons of the Government the Patriarch’s residence and confiscated his personal pontifical insignia.

Violating the church cannons and constitution the government installed Bishop Dioscoros of Mendefera as the anti-patriarch on 27th May 2007. 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.

Let us all pray for the safe return of Patriarch Abune Antonios of Eritrea. 

Source:
OCP News Service