Enthronement of the Ethiopian Patriarch

Newly-elected Patriarch of the Ethiopian (Non-Chalcedonian) Orthodox Church Mathias was solemnly enthroned at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on Sunday, 3 March 2013.

Church hierarchs and representatives from around the world had attended the enthronement ceremony: on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew His Eminence Archbishop Gregory of Thyateira and Great Britain along with Professor Andreas Ioannu; on behalf of His Beatitude Patriarch Theodor of Alexandria and All Africa His Eminence Metropolitan Peter of Axum accompanied by father Chrysostom.

As the representative of the Vatican, Roman Catholic Archbishop in Addis Ababa was present at the enthronement, while on behalf of the Anglican Church there was local Anglican Bishop; delegation of the World Council of Churches, as well as representatives of various protestants churches also attended the enthronement. A  large number of representatives of states (125) attended the event.

President of the Ethiopian Parliament, ministers of the Government, mayor of Addis Ababa and representatives of the official organizations which are located in Addis Ababa were also present at the enthronement.

The enthronement ceremony, which lasted for four hours, ended with the sermon of Patriarch Mathias in front of many believers.

Source: Romfea