The Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church was established in Martinique in May 2004. The Church is located at 51 Rue Martin Luther King, 97231 Le Lamentin, Martinique.
Brief History
In January 2004, a group of faithful made a pilgrimage to Ethiopia. During their journey, they stayed at several holy places i.e. Bahar Dar, Lalibela, Axum and Addis Ababa. During their stay in Lalibela, the group met with His Grace Abuna Melaki Mehret, Archbishop of Lalibela and other officials of the office of the Patriarchate. This meeting was at the request of the group for the establishment of the Church in Martinique.
As a result of the visit by the group to Ethiopia, a meeting was then held with His Grace Abuna Thaddaeus in Trinidad during Tinsae (Easter). In early May 2004, an official invitation was extended to His Grace Abuna Thaddaeus by the faithful of Martinique for the establishment of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. During this visit, His Grace Abuna Thaddaeus met with the Mayor of St. Ann and the Mayor of Fort-de-France, Mayor Serge Letchimy. He also met with Mr. Aime Cesaire who is a famous French author and Archbishop David of the French Orthodox.
The first faithfuls from Martinique were baptized in Trinidad in July 2004. These baptized members were then able to sponsor the faithful to be baptized in Martinique. Baptisms were held at Holy Trinity, Martinique in June 2005, December 2005 and May 2006 with His Grace Abuna Thaddaeus being the chief celebrant.
In June 2006, and invitation was extended to His Grace Abuna Thaddaeus to attend a cultural festival in the city of Fort de France. At this cultural festival, he spoke to the city of Fort de France of the Curse of Shem.
Members of Holy Trinity, Martinique were present at the General Assembly of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Addis Ababa in October 2006. During this visit, a meeting was held with His Holiness Abuna Paulos requesting a French speaking priest.
The first marriage to be conducted in Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Church occurred in October 2007, with His Grace being the chief celebrant.
On February 14th 2009 a further nineteen (19) candidates were baptized into the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church at Holy Trinity, Martinique. The second marriage to occur in Holy Trinity was celebrated on February 15th 2009.
At present there are One hundred and twenty-eight (128) baptized members in Martinique
Future Aspirations
A piece of land has been bought and a foundation has been laid to construct the Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The faithful are now raising funds to build our church.
The establishment of the church in the Caribbean and Latin America allows the natives to reconnect with the ancestral Christian traditions. Not only the way that the liturgy is celebrated, but also containing the position of the faithful in the world today.
Furthermore, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church allows the African Diaspora to find a cultural identity with a powerful historical nation, Ethiopia.
Contacts:
Ø The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Martinique
51 Rue Martin Luther King
97231 Le Lamentin
Martinique
French W.I
Tel: 011-596-596-61-4600
E-mail: Xavier.rhinan@hotmail.com
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