Addis Ababa, June 03, 2023 (FBC) – Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, His Holiness Abune Mathias, Archbishop of Axum and Ichegue of the See of Saint Taklehaimanot inaugurated today the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church building in Abu Dhabi and opened it for spiritual service, according to the Ethiopian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
While giving the blessing during the inaugural event, His Holiness said he is so delighted that the faithful have found a church that they can come to and do the prayers. He said he was also amused by the large size of the church’s building.
On the occasion, the Diocese held a ceremony of appreciation and recognition for those who contributed to the construction site and construction of the temporary church.
It is to be remembered that His Holiness Abune Mathias arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday (June 1) for an official ecclesiastical visit.
On June 2, His Holiness has conferred with UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Sheik Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
During their discussion, Sheik Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan expressed gratitude to His Holiness Abune Mathias for visiting Abu Dhabi, describing the visiting by the Patriarch and his delegation as a good opportunity that would enhance people to people ties between UAE and Ethiopia.
His Holiness Abune Mathias, for his part, praised the Government of UAE for allotting the land for the construction of an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church building in Abu Dhabi.