Indian Orthodox Church Eyes Deeper Ties with Ethiopian Church

Addis Ababa, September 26, 2026 (ENA) —The Indian Orthodox Church is seeking to deepen its longstanding relationship with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church through expanded theological dialogue, educational exchanges and greater sharing of faith and traditions.

His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, made the call at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa during an Indian Orthodox delegation’s visit to Ethiopia for this year’s Meskel celebrations.

He said the two churches have maintained a longstanding relationship and have already begun dialogue aimed at bringing them closer together as sister churches within the Oriental Orthodox family.

“We have already started our dialogues between our churches,” the Patriarch said, adding that the two sides are exploring ways to establish “more intimate relations” and share their traditions, faith and practices.

He said the dialogue could also open the way for greater cooperation in theological education, including the exchange of students between seminaries in Malankara and Ethiopia.

“We are even thinking of sharing students of the seminary between our seminary in Malankara and also our seminary in Ethiopia in the near future,” he said.

The proposed exchange would build on earlier educational links between the two churches, including the involvement of Malankara theologians in theological education in Ethiopia.

Speaking to Pulse of Africa, His Grace Dr. Yuhanon Mar Diascoros, a Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and former professor at Holy Trinity Theological College in Addis Ababa from 1994 to 1997, described the relationship between the churches as a longstanding bond rooted in their shared Oriental Orthodox heritage.

“It is a very strong ancient connection between the Indian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. We are sister churches. We belong to one family,” he said.

Diascoros highlighted the exchange of teachers and students as an important expression of the relationship, saying such cooperation could contribute to promoting peace and harmony in both countries.

He noted that both societies face complex challenges and stressed the importance of responding to them through peaceful dialogue and the teachings of Christianity.

“We have to work together for promoting peace and harmony in both our countries,” he said, emphasizing the need to “teach the peace given by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The remarks came as the Indian Orthodox delegation joined Ethiopian Orthodox faithful in celebrating Meskel, one of Ethiopia’s most significant religious and cultural observances commemorating the finding of the True Cross.

Diascoros said Ethiopia’s distinctive way of marking Meskel, including its character as a major national celebration, gives the feast a special significance.