His Holiness Abune Mathias Expresses Grief for Those Killed in Tigray War

His Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, expressed deep grief for those killed in the Tigray conflict, urging reflection on the human cost of war. His message, released by EOTC media, came a day after Tigray declared three days of mourning for those who died during the two-year conflict. Political forces in Tigray accused the Ethiopian government, Amhara regional forces, and Eritrean forces of committing genocide.

Abune Mathias lamented the failure to learn from past conflicts, noting that bloodshed in Tigray, Amhara, Afar, and other regions continues to disturb the community. He criticized the lack of negotiation, stating that standing over a dead body and seeking peace is futile. His remarks reflect a call for reconciliation and an end to violence.

The Patriarch was part of a national committee that sought to mediate between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government. He acknowledged the committee’s efforts in his message, emphasizing the deep sorrow felt across Tigray, where no household is untouched by grief. He urged those mourning their lost loved ones to avoid self-harm, noting that such actions will not bring back the dead or strengthen their hearts.

Ethiopian media reported on a mother who lost all five of her children in the war, highlighting the personal toll of the conflict. Abune Mathias offered a spiritual message of hope, reminding people that the grave is not the end for those who believe in resurrection.

The Patriarch recently returned to Ethiopia from the United States, where he received medical treatment. The war between the TPLF and Abiy Ahmed’s government ended in November 2022 with the Pretoria agreement, following over a million deaths in Afar, Amhara, and Tigray. The agreement marked the end of a prolonged conflict, though the human and societal scars remain.

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