05/10/2021
Message of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Patriarchate Foreign Affairs Department concerning the recent violence of Coptic Monks on the Ethiopian monastery of Deir Al-Sultan in the Old City of Jerusalem
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Recently the Coptic monks and leaders who are living in the Jerusalem made an aggression on the Ethiopian monastery at Deir Al-Sultan located in the Old City of Jerusalem during the celebrations of the Holy Week spiritual services. Although such irrelevant harassments are very common throughout the entire modern history, the recent attack was much more organized and openly made some days before the celebration of the holy Easter holiday.
Our historical monastery of Deir El-Sultan located on the roof of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem is a site on which our Lord Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection taken place. However the frequent attack and dispute of the Coptic monks hindered the restoration and the proper development of our long-lived heritage. The recent attack was first a violation of the Status Quo made between religious communities, applies to the site.
This groundless and provocative behavior of Coptic monks and their leader angered our Community in Israel, the Monastic organization as well as our Archbishop in Jerusalem, the office of our Monastery and Ethiopian Diaspora in Jerusalem. As Dier El sultan is one of the most important historical sites for the Ethiopian and the Sign of African Presence in the Holy Land for more than three millennia. The case went to the attention of the Ethiopian Embassy in Israel and reported to the Israel Ministry of Interior as well as office of the Security.
This action which brings unspiritual harassment against Ethiopian Monks reached to Security office and Ethiopian only demanded the withdrawal of the Copts as the moment is the time of prayer and supplication in commemoration to the Suffering, Death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Moreover Ethiopian did not want to harm their Coptic friends who adheres the same faith and tradition in the Orthodox Christianity.
However, while the Copts refused to leave peacefully the Israeli police lawfully removed them form the Ethiopian Historic Sacred site despite the illegal and violent aggression of the Copts. It is to be reminded that the Holy Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the holy Synod asked the Coptic Authorities several times to stop these violent actions especially during the holy week and Easter celebrations.
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church patriarchate foreign affairs department acknowledges and conveyed its gratitude to Ethiopian Archbishopric of Jerusalem, the monastic community of our Monasteries in the holy Land, Ethiopian Diaspora in Jerusalem, the Ethiopian Embassy in Israel and Israeli Deputy Public Security Minister, Gadi Yevarkan for their Joint Collaborations to safeguard Ethiopian Long lived Heritage and guarantee the peaceful celebration of the most Spiritual Feast of Easter.
We are very much grateful for the lawful action taken by the Public Security Ministry and Israel Police and sincerely request the responsible office of the Israel government to issue a lasting solution so that we will be protected from such illegitimate and violent action every time in our own historical site.
Along with these we call upon all Ethiopian in all corners of the world to jointly move forward hand in hand to safeguard the Historical and sacred properties of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in the holy Land.
We also call upon the Coptic Communities who are families in the same Orthodox faith not to repeat such aggressions in our Historical and sacred site.
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Patriarchate Foreign Affairs Department
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
May 7, 2021
