Orthodox patriarch remains under the ‘most severe’ house arrest

The elderly patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church briefly emerged from house arrest after four years – but only to go into hospital.

The 83-year-old patriarch, affectionately known as Abune Antonios, had reportedly been denied medical attention at the undisclosed location where he has been held under house arrest since August 2005. He has not been allowed visitors for the past four years.

Abune Antonios is reported to have needed hospital treatment for a condition associated with his high blood pressure and diabetes – but has now been returned to house arrest.

The patriarch was stripped of his ecclesiastical authority in 2005, after protesting about the imprisonment of three Orthodox priests (Prayer Alert, May 15, 2007). He had been strongly critical of the state’s interference in church matters.

(Source: In Chains for Christ)

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*Sign our online petition at www.releaseinternational.org/current calling on the Eritrean Government to allow greater religious freedom. Please also email this link to your friends and download a paper copy to collect signatures at church.

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*Ask God to protect and strengthen elderly Orthodox patriarch Abune Antonios. And pray that Release’s petition calling for greater religious freedom in Eritrea will have a strong impact on its Government.