Patriarch Kirill of Russia Expressed Solidarity to Patriarch Abune Mathias of Ethiopia

OCP News Service – 11/02/2023

Moscow – Russia: His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia expressed solidarity with His Holiness Patriarch Abune Mathias of Ethiopia through a letter in hardships related to the recent split in the Church and its aftereffects. Both churches possess a long history of cooperation which was further strengthened through the framework of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Church, established in 2018.

Full text of the Solidarity letter:

HIS HOLINESS ABUNE MATHIAS
PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ETHIOPIA

Your Holiness, beloved brother in Christ,

On behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church I address you with these words of sincere compassion at the time of new ordeals that have befallen our friend – the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. My heart aches as I hear the news of the hardships the Ethiopian Christians are enduring, in these trying circumstances remaining faithful to their Church and despite the oppression maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3).

The strength in spirit that your suffering flock shows serves as a proof that Christian faith is living and strong in the Ethiopian land. I believe that the fortitude of the confessors who defy earthly fear for the sake of the kingdom of God, and his righteousness (Mt 6:33) will set an example for future generations.

The Russian Orthodox Church has always taken to heart the afflictions that befell your people. Now, at this difficult moment, I express my brotherly support to Your Holiness, the archpastors, pastors and all faithful children of the Ethiopian Church. We resolutely condemn any actions aimed at causing a schism in the Church and invariably support our Ethiopian brothers.

I wish to Your Holiness good health and plentiful help from God Almighty in your Primatial ministry, and I wish unity in faith and longevity to your flock. It is my hope that the Lord will show mercy on the Christians of Ethiopia and, in accord with the words of St David the Psalmist, will bless his people with peace (Ps 29:11).

With love in Christ,

+KIRILL
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

 

Source: DECR

OCP News Service