Rest in Power, Abune Antonios. May the Lord welcome you warmly alongside our fathers before us and may we commemorate you for all the sacrifices you have made to keep the authenticity and unchanged core of our Orthodox religion. After all the torment, trauma, and disrespect, to say the very least, you continued to become a pillar for the churches that fought to recognize you as our true patriarch. Words cannot describe the strength you had for the past 16 years. Physically, your health was deteriorating, but spiritually, you continued to stay strong-minded despite what was taken from you. Your inability to serve, lead, consistently fulfill our holy sacraments, are only a few things you’ve faced, yet your loving heart remained untainted.
You gave us so much of a purpose these past 16 years. When we had no hope, no guarantee if all these sacrifices would be worth the unity we were striving for, you gave us direction. What is keeping us going right now is the peace you worked so hard to achieve. I am hoping that your soul, spirit, fruits, and wisdom will be enriched with the support and guidance of our Lord right beside you. The Lord has a greater purpose for you, and who knows how long it may take for us to understand. But, we have to fully trust in the Lord that the both of you together will open the hearts to those who refuse and forgive those who speak against the truth. Our hope should be that the power now instilled in you alongside God will relieve us of our grief and alleviate this burden of losing you in our Eritrean Orthodox Community.
Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
These past few weeks, this verse kept coming up as a sign for me to reflect, and I was contemplating what this verse was trying to prepare me for. Yes, it answered a lot for me in terms of living in the present and staying strong in my journey here abroad (Kenya), but this just gave me an even greater realization. The loss of Abune Antonios is a grief I struggle to define. However, Abune’s chance at peace is only part of the Lord’s plan that we have to internalize as something greater than anything we could ever fathom. Therefore, we have to walk humbly in our path for the Lord can see the steps ahead more than we could ever see with our own naked eye. I am praying that this newfound purpose will encourage others to keep your legacy alive. I am also praying that you will be appreciated abundantly by the Lord and our passed fathers for the indescribable and selfless commitment you have made to the churches.
Now, as I said before, you will see that what will be revealed to you by the Lord is something beyond you and your purpose here with us. You can finally rest, Abouna, for you have made it to the kingdom 🙏🏽.
Nazareth Fr. Wolde-Tinsae