Out of four archbishops, his holiness Abune Antonios has been elected as the third Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church by the joint vote of the Holy Synod and representatives of all dioceses in the presence of the delegates of the Holy Synod of Egyptian Orthodox Church.
The election took place on March 4, 2004. In the election process representatives of the Holly Synod of the Egyptian Orthodox Church, representatives of the Eritrean churches and the clergy, representatives from offices of the Orthodox Papacy and monasteries' abbots took part.
His ordination, as patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church will follow soon.
His holiness Abune Intonios has been serving as the acting Archbishop of the church after the departure of the Second Patriarch, His Holiness Abune Yacob, on December 1 2003.
Previously, His holiness Abune Antonios also served as the Archbishop of the Central region.

As we all have been earnestly asking God to give us a spiritual leader and father, God has answered our prayers, praise be to his Holy Name. Let’s give thanks to God for all his works and also pray as usual, during this great lent, to see God’s hand in all the services of our Church.

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.” Hebr 13: 15-17.

P. Antonious' Election| P. Antonious' ordination|P.Antonious biography (Tigrigna PDF)