List of abunas of Ethiopia

Last updated

Abuna of Ethiopia
Bishopric
oriental
Abune Mathias, May 2018 (6880) (cropped).jpg
Incumbent:
Mathias
Since 28 February 2013
Style His Holiness
Information
First holder St. Frumentius (Bishop)
Basilios (Patriarch)
Establishedc. 350 (Foundation)
1959 (Autocephaly)
Cathedral Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa

This is a list of the abunas of Ethiopia, the spiritual heads of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The Abuna is known officially as Patriarch and Catholicos of Ethiopia, Archbishop of Axum and Ichege of the See of Saint Taklehaimanot. Mathias acceded to this position on 28 February 2013. [1]

Contents

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is part of the Oriental Orthodox communion, and it was granted autocephaly by Cyril VI, Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church, in 1959.

Bishops of Axum

  • vacant (c. 537–562) [3]

Metropolitan Archbishops of Axum and of All Ethiopia

Salama III, Abuna from 1841 to 1867. Salama III.jpg
Salama III, Abuna from 1841 to 1867.
Mattheos X, Abuna from 1889 to 1926. Abune Matewos.JPG
Mattheos X, Abuna from 1889 to 1926.
  • unknown
  • vacant (c. 940–970s)
  • vacant (1344–1348)
  • vacant (1458–1481)
  • vacant (1632–1633)
  • vacant (1687–1689)
  • vacant (1716–1718)
  • vacant (1745–c. 1747)
  • vacant (1803–c. 1808)
  • vacant (c. 1808–1816)
  • vacant (1829–1841)
  • vacant (1867–1868)
  • Qerellos IV (1945–1950), restored

On 13 July 1948, the Coptic Orthodox and Ethiopian churches reached an agreement that led to the elevation of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church to the rank of an Autonomous Church; allowing the Archbishop of All Ethiopia to consecrate on his own bishops and metropolitans for the Ethiopian Church and to form a local Holy Synod. The Archbishop, however, is consecrated by the Pope of Alexandria along with the members of the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

Patriarchs and Catholicoi of All Ethiopia

No.PortraitAbuna
(Birth–Death)
ReignNotes
1 Basilios
(1891–1970)
1959–1970Reigned during the 1960 Ethiopian coup d'état attempt and the 1965 Conference of Addis Ababa.
Born in Mada Mikael as Gebre Giyorgis Wolde Tsadik
2 Theophilos
(1910–1979)
1971–1976Confirmed by the Emperor after his election. [4]
Deposed and arrested by the Derg; [5] [6] executed by strangling in 1979. [7]
Born in Debre Elias as Meliktu Jenbere
3 Takla Haymanot
(1918–1988)
1976–1988Met Pope John Paul II in 1981, in the first such meeting in modern times. [8]
Born in Begemder as Melaku Wolde Mikael
4 Merkorius.jpg Merkorios
(1938–2022)
1988–2022Deposed by the EPRDF, which claimed that he willingly abdicated.
Headed the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Exile from 1991 to 2018. [9]
Entered into dual patriarch arrangement alongside Abune Mathias from 2018 to 2022.
Born in Begemder as Ze-Libanos Fanta
5 AbunaPaulos.jpg Paulos
(1936–2012)
1992–2012Reign disputed by followers of Abune Merkorios.
Born in Adwa as Gebremedhin Woldeyohannes
6 Abune Mathias, May 2018 (6880) (cropped).jpg Mathias
(born 1941)
[10]
2013–presentReign disputed by followers of Abune Merkorios until 2018. [11] [12] [9]
Entered into dual patriarch arrangement alongside Abune Merkorios from 2018 to 2022.
Born in Agame as Teklemariam Asrat

In 1959, the Coptic Orthodox Church granted autocephaly to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and elevated the Archbishop to the Patriarchal dignity and was enthroned with the title of: Patriarch and Re'ese Liqane Papasat Echege (Catholicos) of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The title of Ichege (Supreme Abbot) of the See of St. Tekle Haymanot of Debre Libanos was subsumed into the Patriarchate. The title of Ichege was revived and the title of Archbishop of Axum was added to the Patriarchal titles in 2005, as Axum was the seat of Ethiopia's first Bishop, St. Frumentius, and thus the oldest see in the church.

Timeline

Abune MathiasAbune PaulosAbune MerkoriosAbuna Takla HaymanotAbuna TheophilosAbuna BasiliosList of abunas of Ethiopia

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church</span> Oriental Orthodox Church branch of Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the largest of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. One of the few Christian churches in sub-Saharan Africa originating before European colonization of the continent, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church dates back to the acceptance of Christianity by the Kingdom of Aksum in 330, and has between 36 million and 51 million adherents in Ethiopia. It is a founding member of the World Council of Churches. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is in communion with the other Oriental Orthodox churches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frumentius</span> Phoenician Christian missionary; the first bishop of Axumite Empire

Frumentius was a Phoenician Christian missionary and the first bishop of Axum who brought Christianity to the Kingdom of Aksum. He is sometimes known by other names, such as Abuna and Aba Salama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tekle Haymanot</span> 13th century Ethiopian monk and hermit

Abune Tekle Haymanot was an Ethiopian saint and monk mostly venerated as a hermit. He was the Abuna of Ethiopia who founded a major monastery in his native province of Shewa. He is significant for being the only Ethiopian saint popular both amongst Ethiopians and outside that country. Tekle Haymanot "is the only Ethiopian saint celebrated officially in foreign churches such as Rome and Egypt." His feast day is 30 August, and the 24th day of every month in the Ethiopian calendar is dedicated to Tekle Haymanot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abune Paulos</span> Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church from 1992 to 2012

Abune Paulos was the fifth Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church from 1992 to his death in 2012. His full title was "His Holiness Abuna Paulos, Fifth Patriarch of the Orthodox Tewahido Church of Ethiopia, Ichege of the see of Saint Tekle Haymanot, Archbishop of Axum and one of the seven serving Presidents of the World Council of Churches."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abuna</span> Honorific title of Orthodox Tewahedo Church bishops

Abuna is the honorific title used for any bishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church as well as of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It was historically used solely for the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Ethiopia during the more than 1000 years when the Coptic Patriarchate of Alexandria appointed only one bishop at a time to serve its Ethiopian flock. When referred to without a name following, it is Abun, and if a name follows, it becomes Abuna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abuna Theophilos</span> Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church from 1971 to 1979

Abune Theophilos, also known as Abune Tewophilos, was the second Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. He officially succeeded Abuna Basilios in 1971 after he had assumed the role of acting patriarch upon Abuna Basilios's death in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abuna Takla Haymanot</span> Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church from 1976 to 1988

Abuna Takla Haymanot was the third Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church from 1976 to 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic Church in Ethiopia</span> Catholicism in Ethiopia since the Middle Ages

The Catholic Church in Ethiopia is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the pope in Rome.

Ethiopian ecclesiastical titles refers to the offices of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, a hierarchical organization. Some of the more important offices are unique to it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abuna Aregawi</span> Sixth-century Syrian monk and exiled missionary to Ethiopia

Abuna Aregawi was a sixth-century Syrian monk and canonized by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, as well as by the Ethiopian Catholic Church, as well as the Eritrean Orthodox Church. He is one of the Nine Saints, who came from the Roman Empire to Ethiopia, and are credited for founding many monasteries and churches and was the main force behind installing monasticism in Ethiopia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coptic Orthodox Church in Africa</span>

This article, dealing with the Coptic Orthodox Church in Africa, is about the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria in African countries other than Egypt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christianity in Eritrea</span> Overview of the prevalence of Christianity in Eritrea

Eritrea as a country and the Eritrean community are multi-religious. Eritrea has two dominant religions, Christianity and Islam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abuna Basilios</span> Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church from 1959 to 1970

Abuna Basilios was an Ethiopian-born first Archbishop or Abuna, and later the first Patriarch, of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church</span> Oriental Orthodox Christian denomination from Eritrea

The Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church is one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches with its headquarters in Asmara, Eritrea. Its autocephaly was recognised by Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria, Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church, after Eritrea gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993. Thus, the Eritrean Church accords a primacy of honor to the Coptic Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abune Mathias</span> Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church since 2013

Abune Mathias is the sixth and current Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church since 2013. His full title is "His Holiness Abune Mathias I, Sixth Patriarch and Catholicos of Ethiopia, Archbishop of Axum and Ichege of the See of Saint Taklehaimanot".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abuna Qerellos IV</span> Coptic priest

Abuna Qerellos IV was a Coptic priest from Egypt, who came to Ethiopia in 1926, becoming the Archbishop of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Except for a break between 1936 and 1945 which he spent in exile, Qerellos remained the head of the Ethiopian church until his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abuna Abraham</span> Ethiopian cleric

Abuna Abraham was a cleric of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, who was installed as the archbishop of the Ethiopian church during the Fascist Italian occupation following the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, in place of the legitimate Archbishop Abuna Qerellos IV.

The following is chronology of the Orthodox Tewahedo Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Churches from its base history to present.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tigrayan Orthodox Tewahedo Church</span> Autocephalous Oriental Orthodox Church in Ethiopia

The Tigrayan Orthodox Tewahedo Church is one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches with its headquarters in Axum, Tigray Region. It declared autocephaly on 7 May 2021, accusing the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church of not doing enough to speak out against the Tigray war, and for being too closely aligned with the Ethiopian government.

References

  1. "Abune Mathias elected as the 6th Patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox Church". Ethioabay. Archived from the original on 13 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  2. Minas according to the Gadla Afse , while Elyas according to the source of Carlo Conti Rossini in Acta Yared et Pantalewon. Sergew Hable Selassie, Ancient and Medieval Ethiopian History to 1270. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: United Printers, p. 116
  3. Due to the exiling of Patriarch Theodosius I and his replacement with the Chalcedonian Patriarch Paul, according to an Arabic source. Sergew, Ancient and Medieval Ethiopian History, p. 142.
  4. "New Patriarch of Ethiopia Is Approved by Emperor". The New York Times . 13 April 1971. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  5. "Patriarch Is Deposed By Ethiopian Regime". The New York Times . 19 February 1976. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  6. "Ethiopian Church Ex‐Head Is Reported Under Arrest". The New York Times . 2 March 1976. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  7. Dictionary of African Biography. OUP USA. 2 February 2012. p. 7. ISBN   9780195382075.
  8. "Around the World; Pope Meets Patriarch Of Ethiopian Church". The New York Times . Reuters. 18 October 1981. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  9. 1 2 "Ethiopia's exiled patriarch Bishop Merkorios returns". BBC. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  10. "His Holiness Abune Mathias elected as sixth Patriach (sic) of Ethiopian Orthodox Church". The Sheba Post. 28 February 2013. Archived from the original on 8 March 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  11. Kibriye, Solomon (27 July 2018). "Ethiopian Orthodox Unity Declaration Document in English". Orthodoxy Cognate Page. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  12. Dickinson, Augustine (31 July 2018). "Decades-Old Schism in the Ethiopian Church Mended". Ethiopicist Blog. Retrieved 8 August 2018.

Sources