Official Statement of the Holy Synod up on the Current Affairs of the Country
October 10, 2016
By Kassa Nigus
“And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” Jer 29፡7
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen.
Previously, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church has been expressed her sadness and declares a period of prayer up on the loss of many lives, damage and destruction of property following a frequent violence of people against the government in most parts of the country. Now, the Church also issued a statement on the loss of human life gathered at the Oromo Irreechaa annual festival in Bishoft ( Debre Zeyit), 47.9 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa on October 1, 2016.
As the prophet Jeremiah taught us that humans shall seek peace for the country for peace of its people based on the peace of their country. The basic concept of peace is a condition whereby people live together in unity. Even everybody can understand that ‘Greetings’ people communicate in their everyday life is the result of peace.
Our Beloved Ethiopians:
Following the loss of our brothers in Irrecha Oromo annual festival, the Holy Synod of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has now released a statement expressing their “deepest sympathy and sorrow”. Accordingly, the Holy Synod decided to hold a seven – days period of prayers;
- To remember those who lost their lives from this world for God may rest in Heaven the departed souls since October 5, 2016 across the country and foreign diocese, monasteries, parishes and churches.
- May our Lord, the owner of Peace grants peace for Ethiopia and its people and to heal victims of the violence.
- Even if the need to come up with everlasting peace is a task of everybody, our church takes joint effort remarkably with all stakeholders to bring peace. Finally, the church strongly commends that unsatisfied Ethiopians shall forward their valid question in a socially responsible Ethiopian manner, and the government shall respond a fair and timely response according to his responsibility.
May God saved the soul of our brothers departed from this world!
May God glorify His mercy for those who are in medical treatment!
May God protect Our Country and its People!
His Holiness Abune Mathias I,
Patriarch of Ethiopia,
Archbishop of Axum andIchege
of the See of Saint Taklehaimanot.