The Ethiopian Orthodox Church Formally Declares an End to the 27-Year-Old Schism

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Formally Declares an end to the 27-Year-Old Schism, and recognizes one Holy Synod, and two Canonical Patriarchs. Amid great pomp and jubilation at Washington D.C.’s Debre Mihret St. Michael’s Cathedral, assembled hierarchs of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church have officially proclaimed an end to the 27-year-old schism that has split this ancient Church. After years in which the church was split between an “Addis Ababa Synod”, a “Synod in Exile”, with two rival Patriarchs, the two groups have now united into one single Holy Synod, and the schism is now officially over.

Abune Abraham, Archbishop of Bar Dar and Eastern Gojjam, in the name of the single Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church proclaimed the following key points in the declaration:

1. His Holiness Patriarch Abune Merkorios, after an exile of over two decades, will return to Ethiopia with the rank and dignity of Patriarch, and resume the Patriarchal Throne.

2. An appropriate residence within the Patriarchate in Addis Ababa shall be prepared for His Holiness Patriarch Abune Merkorios, together with all things and arrangements appropriate for his comfort and dignity.

3. In regard to his duties, His Holiness Patriarch Abune Merkorios will lead and serve the church through prayer and benediction.

4. According to the laws of the Holy Church, His Holiness Patriarch Abune Mathias will lead the the church by carrying out the executive and administrative duties of the Patriarchal office as well as through prayer and benediction.

5. The names of both Patriarchs will be raised in all prayers and services in all Ethiopian Orthodox Churches around the world.

6. As long as both the two Holy Patriarchs are alive, the Holy Church will hold them in complete equality of rank as fathers of the Holy Church.

7. As of the date of this agreement, the designations of the Exiled Synod and Native (Addis Ababa) Synod are abolished, and there is only the one single and Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

8. In regard to the violations of canon law and tradition, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has been under tribulations. The delegations have agreed that as of the date that the Second Patriarch His Holiness Abune Theophilos has handed over to die, the church has suffered under the state of violation of her Canon Laws and traditions until this day. For this reason, in past years, the synod inside and outside the country has been unable to protect the unity, the dignity and the rights of the Holy Church. It has been unable to console the heartbroken faithful of the Holy Church, and so the Holy Synod asks for the forgiveness of the faithful. Therefore, in order to protect the sanctity of canon law and of the traditions of the church, once the two synods have merged and meet as a united Holy Synod, so that the violations are not repeated, the Holy Synod will enact rules of conduct that will be binding upon it.

9. In regard to the Archbishops who were appointed before the schism. The excommunications enacted against them by each synod are lifted by the Holy Synod, their names and dignities are fully restored to them and they will be appointed to dioceses as befits their rank.

10. In regard to the Archbishops, Bishops, and Episcoposes who were appointed after the schism, the Holy Synod will accept them with their names, ranks and dignities and lift any and all excommunications enacted against them. For those who have shared names, they shall be designated with the numeric dignities of “the first (I) the second (II) the third (III) etc. according to the seniority of date that they received the episcopal name. They will be appointed to dioceses and befits their ranks.

11. It is known that due to the disputes, that excommunications had been issued by each synod against the other. The delegations have decided that these are hereby lifted.

12. It is known that the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has spread all around the world wherever Ethiopians have gone. In order to maintain the canonical order and practice of the one holy church, the Holy Synod will prepare a revised “Kale Awadi” (By Laws) for churches located abroad that are in compliance with the constitutions and laws of the countries that they are located in, and which is compatible with the mission of these churches located abroad.

13. All Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churches around the world will be governed and fall under the jurisdiction of the one and only Holy Synod of the Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The delegations will work to facilitate the return of the exiled fathers to Ethiopia.

14. Recognizing that the the country was in recent years in a fearfully endangered situation, and that this situation was reversed by the prayers of the monastics and the faithful, together with efforts of the Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed, who has also worked hard to restore peace in the country, and the unity of the Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod expresses it’s deep appreciation and thanks to him, and prays that all his years in state responsibly are time of peace, love, unity, progress and prosperity.

15. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church expresses its deep gratitude to all the members of the reconciliation committees that have over the past years continued to work hard towards reconciliation and unity, and also to the delegations of fathers sent by the two synods to carry out this reconciliation so that the Holy Church can protect the freedom, dignity, unity and peace of it’s flock.

May the Lord God grant our country Ethiopia Peace and Love, and protect our Holy Church, Glory to God. Declared on this 19th Day of Hamle, 2010 (July 26,2018) at Washington D.C. at the Debre Mehret St. Michael’s Cathedral.