The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) officially concluded its Rikbe Kahnat (General Assembly) on May 14, 2026, following sessions that began on May 6. Chaired by His Holiness the Patriarch, the assembly passed a series of landmark resolutions focusing on ecclesiastical administration, national peace, and international humanitarian concerns. Key outcomes include the permanent appointment of Abune Elsa as Archbishop of the Arsi Diocese and significant structural shifts in East African jurisdictions.
The Synod introduced strategic administrative changes to streamline the Church’s mission, most notably reorganizing the South Sudan Diocese to be integrated with the broader East African structure. Additionally, the assembly designated the Konta Zone as an independent diocese to be led by its own Archbishop. To modernize the institution, the Synod approved the 2019 E.C. (Ethiopian Calendar) budget and mandated the digitization of ancient church documents and the implementation of a comprehensive information technology network across all administrative levels.
Addressing national stability, the Holy Synod issued a formal call for peace ahead of Ethiopia’s 7th national elections. The Church urged all stakeholders to prioritize national unity and stability, ensuring the electoral process remains peaceful. To further this goal, the “National Peace and Church Unity” committee, led by senior archbishops, has been tasked with intensifying its efforts. This includes proactive engagement with government authorities to resolve ongoing regional challenges, particularly in the Arsi area.
On the spiritual and humanitarian front, the Synod expressed deep concern over global and domestic conflicts. A worldwide prayer of intercession (Tselote Mihilla) was declared for the upcoming Fast of the Apostles to support those suffering from war and religious persecution. Furthermore, the Church issued an apostolic plea to international authorities and the Ethiopian government to protect the human rights of citizens currently residing in Saudi Arabia and South Africa, citing the need for urgent diplomatic oversight.
The assembly concluded with a commendation of the Patriarchate’s ongoing development projects and infrastructure improvements. Highlighting the need for internal legislative updates, the Synod ordered the revision of regulations governing evangelism and unified monasteries, with final drafts expected at the upcoming October summit. The session closed with a traditional blessing for the nation, emphasizing the Church’s commitment to being a pillar of peace and a custodian of Ethiopia’s spiritual heritage.