Islamists burn down historic Orthodox church in Ethiopia
Radicals in East Arsi Province killed nine Orthodox Christians and destroyed a 101-year-old church in a new cycle of violence.
On May 31, 2026, radical groups in Ethiopia carried out another bloody attack on an Orthodox community, killing nine people and completely destroying a historic shrine by fire, The Reporter Magazine reported.
The East Arsi Diocese of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church said the tragedy occurred in the Telata-Chefa area. In addition to the loss of life, the attackers burned St. Gabriel’s Church to the ground. The church had recently marked its 101st anniversary. The violence also forced 280 local residents to flee their homes.
Archbishop Abuna Elsa of the diocese said the attacks have continued despite repeated appeals by the Church to local authorities. Given the critical situation, the diocese called on the Synod to intervene directly and demand that the country’s government halt the mass killing of the faithful. The hierarch stressed that Christians in the region need real protection, not formal reports from officials.
As previously reported by the UOJ, militants killed 37 Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia.
