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The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church CATHOLICATE OF THE EAST

BASELIOS MARTHOMA PAULOSE II CATHOLICOS OF THE APOSTOLIC THRONE OF CATHOLICATE PALACE ST. THOMAS KOTTAYAM-686 038 AND MALANKARA METROPOLITAN KERALA, INDIA

18 January 2019

His Holiness Abba Mathias I, of , Archbishop of Axum, Echegue of the See of St. Tekle Haimanot:

Greetings to Your Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of Ethiopia, Archbishop of Axum, and Echege of the See of Saint Tekle Haimanot, Archbishops, Dear Fathers, Monks, Nuns, Government Officials, Diplomats, and Leaders, and the faithful of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, in the name of the blessed Holy Trinity:

Dearly beloved in Christ, People who sat in darkness have seen a great light, Matthew 4:16

Timkat is Epiphany of our Lord! It is the Festival of light!

We certainly believe that, at a time when the whole world is gripping under darkness, this celebration of the Festival of Light will enlighten the world. Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the beacon of hope for the whole world. Nothing in this world can match this Festival.

We assure you all our humble prayers on this great occasion of Feast. We wish His Holiness Abune Mathias and his faithful, all the joy in Christ and His blessings on this great occasion. Hold us in your valuable prayers. We thank God for the good fellowship we hold between our Churches.

May God bless the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and your great Country! Amen.

Baselios Marthoma Paulose II