Delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Visits Ethiopia

On 7-12 June 2006, a delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations visited Ethiopia. The delegation consisted of staff members of the Department priests Sergy Govorun and Alexander Vasyutin. The purpose of the visit was to revitalize the many-sided ties, which had existed in the past between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Church (Tewahedo), but have become occasional recently. In particular, possibilities of renewing the programme of student exchange, mutual visits of church delegations and theological dialogues were discussed.

On June 7, the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church visited the residence of Primate of the Ethiopian Church Abuna Paulos and had a long talk with him. Abuna Paulos noted that very close contacts had existed between the two Churches in the past and are to be revitalized at present. These contacts should be given a new impetus, with the changed conditions of life of the Ethiopian and Russian Churches taken into account.

The delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church informed the Primate of the Ethiopian Church about the preparations for the summit of religious leaders to be held in Moscow in July. Abuna Paulos assured the delegation of his willingness to participate in this forum. The delegation presented theological books published in Russia to Abuna Paulos as gifts of the Russian Orthodox Church.

On June 8, the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church visited the Holy Trinity College, which is one of the three theological schools of the Ethiopian Church, and talked with its rector Archbishop Timothy, the faculty and students. After that the delegation met with the members of the Theological Council of the Ethiopian Church, which consists of the most authoritative Ethiopian theologians. The task of the Council is the translation of Holy Scripture into modern Amharic, and preparation of expertise of different theological and canonical problems. That same day the representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church visited the Development and Inter-Church Assistance Commission talked with the commissioner Dr. Nigussu Legesse. The Commission is responsible for rendering charity and technical assistance to parishes and monasteries of the Ethiopian Church and to people, irrespective of their confession.

On June 9, the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church visited the Sebata Convent near Addis-Ababa. The Convent is engaged in active social work and keeps an orphanage for parentless girls. Mother Superior Fikirte Mariam Bekele guided a tour of the Convent.

On June 10, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church were invited by the Primate of the Ethiopian Church to a reception.. In the evening they were received by M. Afanasyev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Federative Republic of Ethiopia.

On June 11, the feast of Pentecost, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church visited the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and attended Divine liturgy in the church of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria. That same day they visited the Debre Libanos Monastery, one of the most well-known monastic centres of the Ethiopian Church.

In the morning of June 12, the delegation departed from Ethiopia.