Fast for Eritrean Orthodox Church Announced

Three days of fasting and prayer for the clergy and faithful of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church in Eritrea have been announced. The days are to be observed on 24, 25, and 26 July, and clergymen are requested to especially remember Patriarch Abune Anthony of Asmera, who has been placed under house arrest by the Eritrean regime, at any Divine Liturgies they serve on these days. More here.

Eritrean Orthodox Abroad Divided Between Two Patriarchs

As Eritrea sinks deeper into an economic depression caused by the dictatorship of Isaias Afewerqi divisions within the Eritrean Diaspora between supporters and opponents of the Isaias regime are becoming increasingly apparent, to the point of dividing the Eritrean Orthodox Diocese of North America, which associated itself with the Coptic Orthodox Church following the Eritrean government's deposition of Patriarch Abune Ant'oniyos of Asmera, between supporters of the deposed patriarch and supporters of the new, government-appointed patriarch, Abune Diyosqoros. More here.

Eritrean Clergy Drafted

Since the Eritrean government revoked the exemption of the country's Orthodox Christian clergy and monks from military service over 1,400 clergy and monks have been drafted, with the result that numerous churches have been closed due to a lack of priests and deacons. In the present time the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church continues to be administered by an appointee of Eritrea's Religious Affairs Department, with Patriarch Abune Ant'oniyos (Gebre Medhin) remaining under house arrest. More here.

Pictured is Patriarch Abune Ant'oniyos of Asmera.