His Holiness Abune Antonios,3rd Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church was ordained on Sunday April 25, 2004. The ceremony took place in Asmara, Eritrea, at St. Mary Church.

H. H. Shenouda III. Pope of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church along with the Holy Synod of the Eritrean Orthodox Church led the ordination ceremony. Also present at the ordination were thousands of congregation, government officials, diplomats, representatives from dioceses of the Eritrean churches, clergy, monasteries' abbots and delegates from the Holly Synod of the Egyptian Orthodox Church.

Delegates from the Holly Synod of the Egyptian Orthodox Church that consists of seven bishops and two priests arrived in Asmara earlier this week to attend the ordination of Abune Antonios.

As you might remember, His holiness Abune Antonios has been serving as the acting Archbishop of the church since the departure of the Second Patriarch, His Holiness Abune Yacob, on December 1 2003.

His election followed on March 4, 2004 in the presence of representatives of the Eritrean churches, clergy, monasteries' abbots and the Holly Synod of the Egyptian Orthodox Church.

He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Psa 111:9-10.

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