Ethiopia’s Orthodox Church, a 1,700-year-old institution revered by millions, is grappling with a deepening schism fueled by the aftermath of the Tigray war. As Orthodox Christians prepare to celebrate Christmas on 7 January, the divide reflects the broader challenges of reconciliation in the war-scarred nation.
The conflict began in 2021 when Tigray’s clergy accused the Holy Synod in Addis Ababa of failing to condemn atrocities in the region. In 2023, they ordained 11 new bishops, forming a breakaway synod. The move led to excommunication and intensified debates among church leaders, monks, and worshippers.
Historic Monasteries Reflect Divided Opinions
At Debre Damo, a sixth-century monastery perched on a Tigrayan mountaintop, monks remain split on the issue. While some, like Menbere Birhanemeskal, support the breakaway synod, citing genocide against Tigrayans, others, including young monk Kiros Fisseha, advocate for unity and reconciliation.
The conflict’s impact on religious institutions is evident. Hundreds of priests were killed, and numerous holy sites, such as Maryam Dengelat and Amanuel Maago, suffered devastating attacks. Even Patriarch Abune Mathias, an ethnic Tigrayan, faced house arrest for condemning the war.
Breakaway bishop Petros Haileselassie accuses the Ethiopian Orthodox Church of complicity in the war, alleging it blessed troops and supported military efforts. Despite a formal apology from the Holy Synod, he argues it failed to address its role adequately. Meanwhile, the church’s general secretary, Abune Petros Tibebu, attributes the split to political motives, rejecting claims of collusion.
The division within the church threatens to undermine Ethiopia’s transitional justice process, which seeks to address the war’s devastating consequences. However, for communities like those at Amanuel Maago, the immediate concern is rebuilding places of worship destroyed by conflict.
As Ethiopia navigates its path toward peace, the challenges facing its Orthodox Church underscore the complexities of uniting a nation still healing from war.