Detained Eritrean Orthodox Patriarch Dies at 94

Abune Antonios, the former head of Eritrea’s Orthodox Church, has died at the age of 94, according to church officials and a London-based religious rights group. He had been under house arrest for over a decade, a period that drew international condemnation from rights organizations, the European Parliament, France, and the United States.

Antonios was placed under house arrest in 2007 by Eritrea’s government, which is known for its repressive policies. His detention was linked to his refusal to excommunicate 3,000 government opponents and his call for the release of political prisoners. This decision led to his removal from his position as head of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church in 2006.

Anba Angaelo, the Archbishop of London for the Coptic Orthodox Church, expressed mourning for Antonios, urging a moment of silence and prayer for his repose. Mervyn Thomas, founder of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), described Antonios as a “deeply principled man” and noted that his body was taken to the Abune Andreas monastery, where he was buried on 10 February.

Local sources reported that a large crowd gathered at his burial site, with many attendees traveling long distances on foot. The CSW statement highlighted the significance of his passing, emphasizing the injustice he endured.

The United States regarded Antonios as a prisoner of conscience, viewing his detention as a violation of religious freedom. The US Embassy in Asmara expressed sadness over his death, noting his prolonged house arrest. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom provided details of his early life, including his education at a monastery and his ordination as a priest in 1942, abbot in 1955, and patriarch in 2004.

Eritrea, one of Africa’s poorest countries, has a government led by President Isaias Afwerki, which is seen as one of the continent’s most oppressive. The regime maintains strict control over religious practices, allowing only four denominations: Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, and the Orthodox Church. This policy aims to foster national unity in a country where half the population is Muslim and the other half Christian.

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