Followers of Ethiopian Orthodox Church today welcome their exiled Patriarch who has been in the United States for the last 27 years. Patriarch Abune Merkorios, is the 4th Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Patriarch Abune Merkorios arrived at Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport, along with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia who has been on official visit to the United States, mainly targeting to reach out to the Ethiopians in the diaspora and the leaders of the Ethiopian Orthodox church in exile.
“Following the end of the 27 years old separation of the Holy Synods, His Holiness Abune Merkorios, the 4th Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church, has arrived in his homeland after more than 2 decades in exile in the same flight with PM Abiy amid the joy & jubilation,” Prime Minister Abiy’s chief of staff, Fitsum Arega twitted.
Patriarch Abune Merkorios has returned home after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia pushed for a peaceful solution for the Church which has been divided into two after the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) came to power in 1991 through arms struggle with Mengistu Haile Mariam’s Derg Regime.
Prime Minister Abiy’s visit in the United States includes public speeches to the Ethiopians in Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and the small Oromia – Minnesota – where many Oromo communities live outside Ethiopia.
Commenting on the visit of Prime Minister Abiy, “PM Abiy’s “Ye’medemer Guzo” to #US has been an unqualified success. The delegation is very pleased & touched by the warm reception. Thank you! We’ve recognized #Ethiopia can do better. We’ve started to heal the division—we’ve started to overcome the hatred & fear inhibited us,” twitted Fitsum.
“We’ve made progress. We’ve rededicated ourselves to hope, love & justice to each other. With love, we’ve realized that we can be as ambitious & as big we want—not only to transform our country but our region as well. #Ethiopia’s salvation in the end lies in each of us,” Fitsum twitted.