USA

I am elated to see the establishment of the Tigray Orthodox Tewahdo Church, a development that is of particular significance considering the historical roots of Christianity in Ethiopia. The birthplace of Ethiopian Christianity, Tigray, sadly lost its spiritual relevance since the 9th century. Over time, true religious teachings were replaced by hearsay, traditions, and egos, detracting from the essence of our faith. Regrettably, tribalism and ethnic nationalism became the predominant forces contributing to the decline of the Ethiopian church. The distressing reality is that members of the Ethiopian synod were complicit in the genocide against the people of Tigray. The horrifying atrocities committed against our people — killings, rapes, dismemberments, and displacement — sparked an uprising against these heinous actions. This led to the Tigrayans’ decision to disassociate themselves from the Ethiopian synod, catalyzing the birth of the Tigray Orthodox Tewahdo Church. I am immensely proud of the Tigray Church for making the morally righteous decision to sever ties with a church that had become more tribalistic and nationalistic than Christian, and more devoted to earthly powers than to Christ and God. However, my greatest wish for the newly-formed Tigray Orthodox Tewahdo Church goes beyond just its inception. I yearn for the Church to avoid the pitfalls that led to the downfall of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The Tigray Church should not merely separate itself from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, but also strive to not replicate its errors. The Tigray Orthodox Church should be guided solely by the Holy Bible, eschewing entanglements with political parties and institutions. Its mission should be to serve the needy and vulnerable amongst us. Therefore, for our celebrations to truly resonate, the Tigray Orthodox Church must not only separate itself but also undertake reforms to return to its original spiritual essence. Temesgen Asmelash GessessePresident of the Board of Trustees of the DGM TOT Church  

Dear leaders, priests, members, parishioners, and sister churches of every Tigrayan Orthodox Tewahdo Church in the United States of America and beyond, We, the Tigrayan community members of the Debre Genet Medhanealem Tigrayan Orthodox Tewahdo Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, are filled with immense pride and joy as we announce our plans to construct a new church building. Guided by the grace of God and the resilience of our people, we have successfully purchased a piece of land in a location that is strategically and conveniently situated. Across the United States, where numerous Tigrayans reside, we firmly believe that every city should have its own church. Such a monumental achievement can only be realized through the collective action of every Tigrayan, both in raising awareness and contributing financially. In unity, our combined efforts can work miracles, just as the Tigrayan proverb suggests: “Fifty lemons for one person is a heavy load to carry, whereas one lemon to one person is ornamental (Geitzi).” By helping each other, we can lighten the burden and bring our goal to fruition. We hereby call upon all sister churches globally, particularly those in the United States, to join us in this noble and holy endeavor. We also extend our heartfelt invitation to every Tigrayan individual worldwide to participate in this crucial project. Our commitment is unwavering, and we pledge to support you in the same way we ask for your assistance. We strive to build a church that future generations of Tigrayans can be proud of – a church that will help them retain their faith, uphold their ancestral heritage, traditions, and faith. We are nearing the completion of the permit application process and are eager to begin the actual construction. We hope that everyone who reads this message will feel inspired to contribute in any way they can to this historic and holy project. We ask for your support in the name of our savior Medhanealem and his mother, Saint Mary. We extend our gratitude for your anticipated assistance and generosity. May God bless you, our people in our homeland, and may God bless America. Thank you in advance for your support.  With warm regards, Temesgen Asmelash Gessesse President of the Board of Trustees of the Debre Genet Medhanealem Tigrayan Orthodox Tewahdo Church, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ReplyForward

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