Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Holy Synod undertakes its first annual session

During His opening speech, His Holiness patriarch Abune Mathias dwelt on the importance of love, unity and development quoting from the Gospel of John chapter 17 verse 11.  The following are points drawn from the statement the patriarch emphasized on:

• Overcome and reverse the evil thoughts of those who have been using healthy and natural differences of people for stigmatization so as to break up peaceful co-existence of people God has made one by His grace.

• Our Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to make the unity among His creatures strong, as His teachings and deeds amply showed.  Nowadays, the world is becoming one village socially and economically; this is made possible by the Will and Wisdom of God, and not by the making of the world.  

• We, bishops are ordained as the apostles of peace by the Lord God; God’s Peace has been sent to the people through us. However, we have not been discharging our responsibility as required to make the people live in harmony, unity, peace, and love. So we have to fulfill our duty as per our promise to that end.

• The current state of violence inflicts enormous damages of conscience and peace in the people. Thus, we have to make utmost efforts until peace is established on solid foundation.

• We, bishops, theologians, priests, and preachers have to be models by teaching and being exemplary in deed. 

•  The Church shall communicate its message of peace centrally and in neutrality to all.

• The Church should show her motherly role to the youth through development endeavors and creating job opportunities for them.