Is there any "beef" between the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Churches?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

The relationship between the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church is a complex matter involving national identity, ecclesiastical independence, and political interference. While they share the same faith, liturgy, and Miaphysite Christology, there has been significant "beef" regarding how the Eritrean Church became independent and how it has been managed since.

1. The Separation (Autocephaly)

Historically, the Orthodox Christians in Eritrea were part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Following Eritrea’s political independence from Ethiopia in 1993, the Eritrean Church sought its own independence (Autocephaly) from the Ethiopian Patriarchate.

• The Tension: The Ethiopian Synod was initially reluctant to grant this. However, through the mediation of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Shenouda III consecrated the first Patriarch of Eritrea, Abune Phillipos, in 1998. While this settled the legal status, it left a lingering sense of rivalry and nationalistic tension between the two hierarchies.

2. The Case of Patriarch Antonios

The most severe "beef" occurred not necessarily between the people, but involves the interference of the Eritrean government in church affairs, which caused a rift in the entire Oriental Orthodox communion.

• The Conflict: In 2006, the Eritrean government forcibly deposed the canonical Patriarch, Abune Antonios, and placed him under house arrest because he resisted government interference. They then installed a puppet Patriarch.
• The Reaction: The Ethiopian Orthodox Church—along with the Coptic Church—initially refused to recognize the government-imposed bishops. For many years, this created a massive divide where the "official" Eritrean Church was seen as acting uncanonically.

3. Border Wars and National Politics

Because both churches are "National Churches," they are deeply tied to the politics of their respective lands. During the brutal border wars between Ethiopia and Eritrea (1998–2000), the two churches were often used as symbols of national pride.

• The Beef: Even though they pray the same prayers and use the same Ge'ez language for liturgy, the clergy on both sides were often restricted from communicating or visiting one another due to the closed borders and political hostility.

4. Recent Rapprochement

In 2018, when political peace was declared between Ethiopia and Eritrea, there was a historic meeting between the two Synods.

• The Ethiopian Patriarch, Abune Mathias, and the leaders of the Eritrean Church began the process of healing.
• However, internal divisions within the Eritrean Church (between those abroad who remained loyal to the late Patriarch Antonios and those in the mainland) still cause friction that the Ethiopian Church has to navigate carefully.

Summary

In the eyes of a Coptic Orthodox Christian, these two churches are our brothers. Their "beef" is almost entirely political and jurisdictional, rather than theological. They share the same theology and the same ancient Alexandrian roots. The tension is a result of the tragic reality that when the "Church" becomes too intertwined with the "State," political wars between nations unfortunately spill over into the pews.

Sponsored by His Grace Bishop Kyrillos, Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles.