Russian Orthodox Church Delegation Attends Enthronement of New Eritrean Patriarch

mospat.ru

DECR and OCP News Service – 29/01/2025

Asmara – Eritrea: A delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church, led by Metropolitan Isidore of Smolensk and Dorogobuzh, traveled to Asmara, Eritrea, to participate in the enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Abuna Basil, the newly elected sixth Primate of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church. The enthronement ceremony took place on January 26,2025, at the invitation of the Eritrean Holy Synod and with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

Metropolitan Isidore conveyed a congratulatory message from Patriarch Kirill to Patriarch Abuna Basil and presented him with a bishop’s staff as a gift. He also shared a congratulatory address from Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. The Russian delegation, which also included Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov) and Priest Lev Garin, attended the enthronement ceremony and the Divine Liturgy that followed, which was concelebrated by hierarchs from other Ancient Eastern Churches. A ceremonial reception followed the service.

Later on January 26th, the Russian delegation visited the women’s monastery of St. Damiana of Egypt and the forty virgins in Asmara, where they were warmly received.

On January 27th, the delegation met with members of the Holy Synod of the Malankara Church. Metropolitan Isidore presented Patriarch Abuna Basil with a copy of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria,” emphasizing the long-standing fraternal relations between Russia and Eritrea, based on shared spiritual values and Christian faith. The delegation also met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki at his residence.

The Russian Orthodox Church delegation expressed gratitude to the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Eritrea for its assistance in organizing the visit.

Source:
OCP News Service and DECR