The fourth Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church HH Patriarch Abune Merkoriyos has today passed away last night.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia in his condolence message he admired the positive role of the late HH Patriarch Merkoriyos played in uniting the divided Ethiopian Orthodox Church. It is reported that the Patriarch was getting medical treatment before his death.
HH Patriarch Merkoriyos was on exile in the United Sates for many years until Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in April 2018 and facilitated discussions between the exiled Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the one in Ethiopia.
After the two sides reconciled their differences, HH Patriarch Merkoriyos was living in Ethiopia for the past few years even though not active on duty. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is being led by HH Patriarch Abune Mathias, who replaced the late HH Patriarch Abune Paulos in August 2012.