A special visitor in Rome

Beginning today and until Monday (February 29), His Holiness, Abuna Matthias I, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is in Rome to meet with His Holiness, Pope Francis.

His Holiness, Abuna Matthias I was elected Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church on February 28, 2013.

According to an ancient tradition, the first great evangelist of Ethiopians was Saint Frumenzius, a Roman citizen of Tyre who was shipwrecked on the Red Sea coast of Africa.  Frumentius was ordained bishop by Saint Athanasius of Alexandria and then returned to Ethiopia to promote the evangelization of that country.

The Orthodox Church of Ethiopia is part of the family of Eastern Orthodox Chuches.  This Church, unique in its genre, has maintained various Hebrew practices, such as circumcision, respect for the dietary rules and observance of the Sabbath on Saturday and on Sunday.  The Ethiopian liturgy traces its roots to the Alexandrian (Coptic) rite and is influenced by the Syriac tradition.  The liturgy has always been celebrated in the ancient language of Ge'ez until recent times.  Today, a translation of the modern amharic liturgy is used more and more in parishes.  The Orthodox Church of Ethiopia has a strong monastic tradition.  It includes 35 million adherents today, including a large community in Rome.

As for the relationship of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia with the Catholic Church, these are cordial and growing.  The previous Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Abuna Paulos paid a visit to Pope John Paul II in 1993 and in 2009, he visited Pope Benedict XVI.  At the beginning of October 2009, at the invitation of the Holy Father, Abuna Paulos addressed the II Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa, presenting the current situation facing the African continent and presenting the challenges faced by the African people.  As a member of the family of Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church participates officially in the Mixed International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.  In January 2012, the meeting of the Commission was hosted in Addis Ababa by His Holiness, Abuna Paulos I who died on August 16, 2012.

The Patriarch will meet with Pope Francis on Monday, February 29.  He will also visit the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.  The Patriarch will also visit the Tomb of Saint Peter.  On Sunday, February 28, he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy with the Ethiopian community in Rome in the chapel at the Urban College.