The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC), which has been divided into two factions for the past 27 years, became one again this week after several failed attempts at reconciliation.
It took an active leadership by the new prime minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, to bring the two sides together.
The reunification was announced on Thursday, July 26, in Washington DC at the Watergate Hotel in the presence of PM Abiy.
Under the reconciliation agreement, the exiled Patriarch, Abune Merkorios, will return to his position as the head of the Church. The current Patriarch, Abune Mathias, will continue as an administrator of the Church.
The exiled synod will merge with the synod in Ethiopia.
The EOTC is one of the oldest churches in the world. It is also the biggest non-governmental institution in Ethiopia that has influence over every facet of life in the country.
