Religious Leaders Call for National Reconciliation and Generosity Ahead of Ethiopian Easter Celebrations

Patriarch Abune Matias and other religious fathers call for peace, generosity, and national unity as Ethiopia prepares to celebrate Easter Sunday.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 9:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Ethiopian News Agency

Orthodox Patriarch Emphasizes Integrity Amid National Challenges

His Holiness Abune Matias, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, has called upon Christians to mark the Easter holiday through the lens of spiritual discipline and good deeds. In a national address, the Patriarch stressed that the core values of the resurrection, specifically integrity and moral character, are essential tools for overcoming contemporary obstacles. He noted that the celebration offers a unique opportunity for the faithful to practice the virtues taught within the religion, providing a spiritual framework to navigate both national and global difficulties encountered throughout the year.

Catholic Archbishop Advocates for Practical Acts of Compassion

Cardinal Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel, the Archbishop of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, centered his holiday message on the practical application of faith through communal love. The Cardinal urged the faithful to demonstrate their devotion by actively working for national peace and fostering cooperation with all citizens, regardless of background. He specifically highlighted that the most profound manifestation of the holy day lies in the avoidance of grudges and the rejection of hatred, encouraging a collective shift toward a more harmonious social fabric.

A Direct Mandate to Support the Vulnerable

A significant portion of the Catholic Archbishop’s address focused on the urgent necessity of supporting the needy across various regions of Ethiopia. Cardinal Berhaneyesus stated that charity should not be a secondary thought but the primary expression of the holiday. By providing material and spiritual support to those facing hardship, the faithful can translate the religious significance of Easter into tangible relief for the country's most vulnerable populations, thereby strengthening the traditional Ethiopian values of togetherness and social responsibility.