His Holiness Karekin II Sent Congratulations to His Holiness Abune Mathias on his election as New Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Etchmiadzin, 01 March, 2013: His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians sent a congratulatory message to His Holiness Abune Mathias on the occasion of his election as Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church

The letter stated in part: "We are full of hope that during your pontificate our sister Church of Ethiopia will continue to progress in her God-commanded mission, also strengthening and fostering the friendship between the people and religions of Ethiopia, helping the needy, and defending human rights.

We confirm with happiness that the relations between our Churches and nations are historical. It has been crowned with many achievements and examples of the cooperation of love, which has its positive influence on our bilateral relations today. We are confident that during the pontificate of Your Holiness, the historical friendship of our Churches, which has an important role in the small but historical Armenian community of Ethiopia, will continue to thrive and realize new results of fruitful cooperation for the sake of inter-religious and inter-church relations, and for establishing peace and sustainability in the world "says the message of congratulations.

His Holiness offered his prayer that God keep and protect the Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church and the new Patriarch under the blessings of His Right hand, and grant His Holiness Abune Mathias I good health, many years of life and a flourishing Pontifical reign.

The Armenian Church will be represented at the enthronement of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarch by His Eminence Archbishop Avak Asaturyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Iraq; and His Grace Bishop Ashot Mnatsakanyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Egypt.

Information Service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin