The Present Condition of Patriarch Antonios of the Eriterian Orthodox Church
0 Comments Published by georgy on Thursday, May 8 at 12:55 PM.
The following article is an Extract from the Article appeared in the website of the Diocese of Eritrean Orthodox Church in North America.
At present nobody knows exactly where Abune Antonios is held. On July 25, 2005 he was officially notified that he was stripped of all administrative responsibilities. His office was sealed. To make sure that he had no communication with anyone, his telephone and fax were disconnected. His passport was confiscated so that he won’t leave the country. One thing, however, is certain. He is under a strict house arrest.
On January 13, 2006 His Holiness was sent a letter informing him that he was dethroned. The same letter, enumerating all the accusations that were used as the basis for his removal, was also disseminated to all the churches. The Synod, now under the complete control of Mr. Yoftahe, became the prosecutor and the judge. Abune Antonios was never given a chance to face his accusers or defend himself in a properly constituted church tribunal as the constitution and traditions of the church required.
On January 20, 2007 two messengers of Mr. Yoftahe – Frs. Fitsum Tesfai and Ghebre -Ewostatewos Kidane - appeared at the residence of His Holiness accompanied by three armed security agents and confiscated the pontiff’s patriarchal vestments, scepter, books and other personal belongings. The group that orchestrated this act with the acquiescence of the synod immediately put out letters to all the dioceses with strict injunctions to make sure that the patriarch’s name is no longer mentioned in the prayers and the liturgy of the church. He is denied visitations to the monasteries he loves so much. He can no longer celebrate the liturgy nor participate in the Holy Communion. No visitors, family or otherwise, are allowed to visit him.
The fate of His Holiness Abune Antonios and that of the Eritrean Orthodox Church is intimately intertwined. His anointing is not of this world but of above. He is a true example of the diligent shepherd. Today he willingly suffers for the sake of his faith and the church he loves, and has dedicated his life for.
But there will come a time in which His Holiness Abune Antonios, the third Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, will face the world without shame. Even now he rejoices because our Lord has taught us: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). During this most difficult time in the life of the children of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, her children have no choice but to pray for her and H.H. Patriarch Antonios. The God of justice and truth will see her through.
We call upon all the servants of the church and the faithful to lift Abune Antonios and our church in our prayers. We call for a national repentance, because the word of God tells us: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:13-15). May God grant the Church His peace.
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