This week in Christian history: Methodist preacher dies, Eritrean Orthodox patriarch under house arrest attends first service

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, July 16, 2023

Arrested Eritrean Patriarch makes public appearance – July 16, 2017

Patriarch Antonios pictured in 2020. | Christian Solidarity Worldwide

This week marks the anniversary of when Eritrean Orthodox Church Patriarch Abune Antonios, who had been deposed and put under house arrest in 2007 by Eritrea’s government, made his first public appearance in a decade.

The United Kingdom-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported that the 90-year-old Antonios had participated in a church service held at St. Mary’s Cathedral in the capital, Asmara.

“It is encouraging to hear that Patriarch Antonios was able to participate in a Mass after a decade of incommunicado incarceration,” said CSW Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas in a statement at the time.

“We await clarification regarding the terms of his release, and our profound hope is that the patriarch is finally free and will be reinstated unconditionally.”

Unfortunately, Antonios remained under arrest until his death in 2022 at the age of 94.