Patriarch Abune Merkorios to Be Laid to Rest Next Sunday

ADDIS ABABA – His Holiness Abune Merkorios, the 4th Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, will be laid to rest next Sunday, March 13, 2022.

The announcement came after the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church held an emergency meeting to determine the funeral arrangements.

In a statement today, the Church’s spokesperson office said the funeral ceremony will take place at Holy Trinity Church on March 13, 2022.

The Patriarch passed away early Friday in a hospital where he was receiving treatment for undisclosed illness.

Since the announcement of his death, many including government officials are conveying their condolences to his families and the followers of the faith.

President Sahle-Work Zewde expressed her condolences to the families of His Holiness and the people of Ethiopia wishing “the almighty God to place his soul in heaven”.

Abuna Merkorios was chosen as the fourth Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox church after the death of Abuna Tekle Haymanot in May, 1988.

He, however, was forced to flee abroad when the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) came into power by overthrowing the DERG regime.

After 27 years of exile in the United States, Abune Merkorios returned to Ethiopia when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018. He was reinstated as Patriarch alongside Abune Mathias in August, the same year.

In his condolences message, the Prime Minister praised His Holiness for his critical role for the reunification of the two synods of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church at home and abroad.

The Patriarch was serving the nation with his prayers, Abiy said, noting that missing His Holiness at this time is a great loss.

The patriarch taught the highest religious teachings including ‘Digua’ in monasteries and served the church at several positions with strong spiritual devotion for several decades at home and abroad.

– EM/News Agencies