borkena
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Holy Synod on Monday called for several weeks of prayer, for the unity of the church and peace in Ethiopia. The call came after the Holy Synod concluded days of meeting on matters affecting the church and the country.
With over 50 million faithful followers within the nation, the Ethiopian Church has a presence in many parts of the world, including in the rest of Africa, Europe, North America, Australia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
In a statement, which is published on Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church TV, the Holy Synod said, ” The Holy Synod strongly believes that the problem and challenges occurring in our country could be eliminated when all Ethiopians together believe that we have a part to play and pray to our God in accordance with your religious creed, repent, and turn our face to God…”
Accordingly, the Holy Synod earnestly appealed to all adherents of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church to engage in prayer and spiritual contemplation from November 25, 2023, through January 6, 2024. This period of spiritual devotion will be held within the Ethiopian churches, with a call for the laity to join in prayer.
The Ethiopian Church traditionally celebrates Orthodox Christmas on January 7.
The church itself has faced extraordinary political pressures, which appear to be aimed at weakening its position as one of the oldest and strongest churches in the world. Furthermore, the tragic loss of its followers in various regions of the country, particularly in Oromia and South Ethiopia, has been accompanied by what appears to be politically motivated attempts to sow division within the Church and the Holy Synod.
__
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Are you a business owner? Get Listed on Business Listing
Join the conversation. Follow us on twitter @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly. Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com
“The Holy Synod strongly believes that the problem and challenges occurring in our country could be eliminated when all Ethiopians together believe that we have a part to play and pray to our God in accordance with your religious creed, repent, and turn our face to God…”
Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
Daniel 9:3-20 English Standard Version
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:8 New International Version
Regardless of religious affiliation, prayer for peace and unity among Ethiopians of all ethnic groups should be promoted and fostered as a custom for peaceful cohabitation and a vital component of mending previous unhealthy rifts in the social fabric.Amen!!!!!
Subject: “Ethiopian Church Declares Month-Long Prayer for Peace and Unity” October 30, 2023
Very Daring Reaction
I do NOT believe that the inherent PROBLEM facing Ethiopia has ANYTHING to do with the Church and Prayers.
Dear Editor,
Excuse me if there is something called crossing the line.
The word “church” encompasses more than just the hallowed sanctuary, the Patriarch’s residence, or even the entire archbishops. It represents the whole Christian community as well. The term “church” refers to the Christian congregation and assembly as a whole, not only the sacred building or yard where they meet and worship. The Holy Bible provides the following examples:
16:18 in Matthew “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Jesus places more emphasis on the people in this passage (“my church”) than on a building.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it,” says 1 Corinthians 12:27. This verse emphasizes the people rather than a particular location by describing the church as a group of believers.
Acts 8:3 reveals that Saul started destroying the church. He hauled off men and women and imprisoned them, going from house to house.” This verse emphasizes the dynamic nature of the assembly by describing the church as something that travels from one house to another.
verse 5 of Romans 16:5 “Greet also the church that meets at their house.” Here, the term “church” refers to a congregation of Christians meeting in a specific home, highlighting the assembly of believers as opposed to a formal place of worship.
It is about the people who were brainwashed and participated in any of those deadly atrocities, including the displacement of their neighbors and members of vulnerable ethnic groups. It is not just about the leaders of the church or the political party. These churches, whether protestant, orthodox, or any other type of religious institution, are home to both the preachers of hate speech and the politicians and elites who gave the order to persecute fellow Ethiopians. Therefore, it is crucial to instill in others the value of upholding their religious convictions and preventing conflicts with other Ethiopians. In some areas of Ethiopia, this is a tried-and-true method of rapprochement that mends rifts and brings people together for so many years, including other countries in Africa.
It is crucial to inform the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church of their shared identity as members of the body of Christ, the head of the church, and to facilitate their spiritual, emotional, and psychological reconciliation. Ethiopians with diverse ethnic backgrounds, as well as differing political and personal ideologies, all belong to the church and simultaneously join communal religious services. 12:27 in 1 Corinthians says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” Since all Ethiopians belong to a religious community regardless of its size, tenets, or level of impact on Ethiopian national issues, other religious communities and leaders may need to follow suit when Ethiopian Orthodox church officials perform this holy work. Respect is a must for everyone, except for Satanism. The mending of the social fabric and reconciliation with Ethiopians of all ethnic and political backgrounds will probably be achieved if all churches and religious leaders carry out the same holy work. Let everyone cross their fingers for the accomplishment of the holy task.