His Holiness Abune Paulos, Patriarch and Catholicos of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, passed away last night in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He was 76 years old.
Official sources have confirmed the departure of the Patriarch. Lately, he had been seriously ill at the Dejazmach Balcha Hospital in Addis Ababa.
Coptic Orthodox Christians will remember the warm friendship between the Thrice-Blessed Pope Shenouda III and the Thrice-Blessed Patriarch Paulos as the hierarchs of the Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches, which are sister Churches in full communion. His Holiness’ departure ushers in a unique time in which the See of St. Mark in Alexandria and the See of St. Takla Hymanout in Ichege are now vacant.
The date of funeral has not been confirmed yet.
May Lord have mercy upon the soul of His Holiness Patriarch Abune Paulose of Ethiopia.
