Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Holy Synod has released a statement regarding the completion of the Nineveh fasting and vows, which took place from February 6 to February 8, 2022.
According to the statement, the Nineveh fasting is based on the story of the prophet Jonah in the Bible, who preached to the people of Nineveh about their wicked ways and called for a fast as a means of repenting for their sins. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has been observing this fast annually as a way to seek forgiveness from God.
During the recent fasting period, the faithful members of the church engaged in spiritual prayers and repentance, dressed in black and seeking the intercession of the Holy Virgin Mary and the angels. Despite the ongoing difficulties and challenges facing the church, the statement emphasized that the members will never waver in their faith and will overcome their struggles through perseverance and spiritual struggle.
The statement also addresses the recent attacks on the church, including the expulsion of bishops, priests, and laymen from their dioceses and the illegal imprisonment of members. The Holy Synod condemned these actions and called for the government to honor and protect the church.
In addition, the statement mourns the loss of over 30 members of the church who accepted martyrdom for their beliefs, and expresses the church’s gratitude for their perseverance in the face of adversity. The statement also acknowledges the many others who have suffered serious injuries and human rights violations at the hands of government forces.
As the church continues to face challenges and difficulties, the Holy Synod remains steadfast in its commitment to the faith and the protection of the church. The statement concludes by calling on all members to pray for peace and a solution to the current problems facing the church and the country. If the government continues to violate the law and humiliate the dignity and honor of the church in the same way, the church will expand the scope of its completely peaceful movement in order to uphold its rights based on the law that the government has violated, by expanding the horizons of its planned and announced national and international peaceful demonstration on February 12, 2022, without interference from anyone. We inform you that it will be held in its own square and reminding that the role of the government is to fulfill its governmental responsibility properly so that the procession ends peacefully.
