Addis Ababa, June 3, 2026 President Taye Atske Selassie today received Metropolitan Antony Severyuk, head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church, at the National Palace in Addis Ababa.

During the meeting, Metropolitan Antony congratulated Ethiopia on the success of the recent general elections, describing the process as peaceful, free, and stable.

The Metropolitan emphasized the depth of historical and spiritual ties between Ethiopia and Russia, noting that relations between the two countries are rooted in their shared Christian heritage.

Describing Ethiopia as a country of great biblical significance, he said his first visit to the country was a rich and moving experience.

Metropolitan Antony also highlighted the long-standing partnership between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, calling the latter a sister church that shares the same values and broad cooperation in religious affairs with the Russian Orthodox Church.

He added that he looks forward to meeting with leaders of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church during his visit to Ethiopia, expressing hope that this visit will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the churches and their peoples.

For his part, President Taye emphasized the long historical relations between Ethiopia and Russia and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to deepening cooperation in various sectors.

The two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations between the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Russian Orthodox Church, thereby enhancing the broader friendship between Ethiopia and Russia.

National Palace in Addis Ababa

The National Palace in Addis Ababa, also known as the Jubilee Palace, is the official residence and workplace of the President of Ethiopia. Originally built in 1955 to commemorate Emperor Haile Selassie’s Silver Jubilee, the palace was later renamed after the 1974 revolution that ended the monarchy. Today, it serves as a key venue for state functions and diplomatic events, symbolizing Ethiopia’s modern political history.

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is one of the oldest Christian denominations in the world, tracing its origins to the 4th century when Christianity became the state religion of the Aksumite Empire. It is known for its unique traditions, including the use of Ge’ez as its liturgical language and the claim of housing the Ark of the Covenant in Aksum. The church has played a central role in Ethiopian culture and history, preserving ancient manuscripts and resisting foreign influence for centuries.

Russian Orthodox Church

The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest autocephalous (self-governing) Eastern Orthodox church in the world, with a history dating back to the Christianization of Kievan Rus’ in 988 AD. It played a central role in Russian state and culture, especially after the establishment of the Moscow Patriarchate in 1589, though it faced severe persecution under Soviet rule. Following the fall of the USSR, the church experienced a major revival, reasserting its influence as a key institution in modern Russian society.