DECR secretary for inter-Christian relations visits Ethiopia

DECR Communication Service, February 1, 2023.

Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), DECR secretary for inter-Christian relations, visited the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia from January 18 to 23, 2023, with the blessing of Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations. The visit took place during the days of the Epiphany of the Lord, called Timkat festival in Ethiopia and celebrated nationwide. On the same days, there was held a session of the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Church.

Hieromonk Stefan met with the Ethiopian Church’s authorities and asked them to convey greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to His Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of Ethiopia. Discussed during the meetings was a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation, including those related to the work of the Commission for Dialogue set up following the results of the meeting of the Primates of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Church held in Moscow on May 17, 2018. DECR secretary underscored the historicity of friendly relations between Russia and Ethiopia. Relationships maintenance has become particularly important in recent years during which life has become so stressful for millions of Ethiopian Christians.

During his stay in Ethiopia, hieromonk Stefan visited the Holy Trinity theological college - the oldest theological school of the Ethiopian Church, ancient churches and monasteries, and a shop of the Sofrino art production factory in the capital of Ethiopia. Also, he met with representatives of Ethiopian state authorities, of religious communities of the country, and of the Russian diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa.

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DECR secretary for inter-Christian relations visits Ethiopia

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons