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.