25 Facts About Abuna Theophilos

Abuna Theophilos, known as Abune Tewophilos, was the second Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

Abuna Theophilos officially succeeded Abuna Basilios in 1971 after he had assumed the role of acting patriarch upon Abuna Basilios's death in 1970.

Abuna Theophilos was born as Meliktu Jenbere on 24 April 1910 in the Parish of Debre Elias, district of Debre Marqos, in Gojjam.

Abuna Theophilos was appointed as the personal representative of Pope Yusab to the Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

Between 1951 and 1970, Abuna Theophilos served as regent and deputy for the ailing Patriarch Abune Basilios, and towards the end of this period was performing the role of acting Patriarch.

Abuna Theophilos attended the Congress of the World Council of Churches which was held at Uppsala in July 1968.

Abuna Theophilos presided over a period of administrative reform in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Abuna Theophilos encouraged ecumenical ties with other Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches, and began the process of rapprochement with the Roman Catholic Church.

In February 1972 Abuna Theophilos consecrated six new bishops at Holy Trinity Cathedral, the first of two consecrations he carried out during his brief incumbency.

The Coptic Church argued that the removal of Abuna Theophilos was not canonical as it was done by the government and not by the Synod of the Orthodox Church, nor had Abuna Theophilos abdicated.

Abuna Theophilos was seized at the Patriarchal Palace in the precincts of the Saint of Saint's St Mary's Patriarchal Monastery, and taken to the Emperor's former residence, the Jubilee Palace on 17 February 1976.

Abuna Theophilos was placed under solitary confinement in rooms formerly reserved for the use of Rear Admiral Prince Eskinder Desta, the Emperor's grandson who had been executed with the 60 Imperial ex-officials in November 1974.

One afternoon of uncertain date Abuna Theophilos managed to escape from the palace disguised as a layman while soldiers guarding the palace were distracted by a broadcast soccer match.

Abuna Theophilos later told fellow prisoners that he had thought to head to the Greek Embassy, but then decided to make his way to the Asebot monastery in his former diocese of Harrar in the east of the country.

Abuna Theophilos made his way to the Gofa St Gabriel's Church to hide and prepare for his journey to Asebot, counting on the loyalty of the clergy at this church, but his location was reported to the Derg by someone at the church, and he was taken back into custody.

Abuna Theophilos was escorted barefoot to the old Menelik Palace and again placed in solitary confinement, chained to his bed, his hands and feet cuffed.

Abuna Theophilos is believed to have entered into a severe fast for 40 days and only broke it on Easter Monday after two imprisoned elder noblemen, Bitwoded Zewde Gebre-Hiwot and Dejazmach Haregot Abay pleaded with him on their knees.

Abuna Theophilos was ordered to sign papers as "Abba Meliktu" his pre-episcopal name, which he steadfastly refused to do, signing his name always as "Abune Tewophilos".

Abuna Theophilos asked repeatedly that he be imprisoned in a monastery such as Asebot or elsewhere, but was refused.

Abuna Theophilos conducted prayer services for his fellow prisoners twice daily and said the Holy Liturgy of the Mass every Sunday, assisted by the imprisoned Nebre-Id Ermias of Axum.

Dejazmatch Kassa Wolde Mariam, heir to the old Oromo Kingdom of Leqa Qellam, former President of Haile Selassie University, and grandson-in-law to Emperor Haile Selassie, was on his knees before Abuna Theophilos receiving his final absolution before going to his death when Abuna Theophilos himself was called.

Abuna Theophilos turned and asked Nebre-Id Ermias to absolve him, and he left the prison together with Dejazmatch Kassa.

On 14 August 1979, Abuna Theophilos was strangled by an electrical wire and killed.

Abuna Theophilos was buried face-down in a deep trench grave.

Abuna Theophilos's remains would later be identified by long black clerical robes and a monk's cap.