The History of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Ireland

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Ireland traces its roots back to 1999, when a small group of Ethiopian students at University College Dublin (UCD), Blackrock Campus, began gathering for Tsiwa (prayer meetings) under the name St. Ourael who played a key role in organizing the early gatherings. These meetings, initially held in private homes, grew in size and significance, leading to the celebration of major Ethiopian Orthodox holidays such as Christmas, Epiphany, and Easter, bringing together Ethiopians from different religious background in Ireland.

As the community expanded, the gatherings moved to Kimmage Manor College, where Ethiopian students continued worshipping with the leadership of Fr. Endale Ashagrie who was a theology student at the time. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo community then started worshipping in St. Mary and St Demiana Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church at Bray. Where they continued until the official establishment of Debrework St. Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. With the growing need for a formal place of worship, efforts were made to establish the church, among the first committed members were Dr. Mesfin Desta, Dr. Gashaw Gobze, Mr. Gebeyehu Sisay, Mr. Getachew Tenna and Mr. Zerihun Adebe, who played a key role in organizing the early gatherings at UCD.

The first general meeting was held on September 7th, 2008 at St. Mary Immaculate Refuge of Sinners Roman Catholic Church, Rathmines led by the late Abune Melikestedik, General Manager of the ArchDiocese and Archbishop of Gurage Zone Ethiopia.

With the blessing of his grace, Abune Entons, Archbishop of the Ethiopian OrthodoxTewahedo Church in North and West Europe, blessed the place of worship and made it a formal church on March 29th 2009. On June 27th 2009 the Arc of the Covenant was brought to the temple and the name of the Church was proclaimed “Debrework St. Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church” by His Grace Archbishop Entons. The newly established Sunday school was also named “Mahbere Selam Sunday school” by the same Archbishop. In the early years, the church relied only on visiting priests and deacons from London to conduct services; with the commitment of the growing congregation, the church was able to bring Comos Aba Yohannes in 2009 from Ethiopia as the first resident priest, ensuring regular liturgies and spiritual services.

Currently, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Ireland continues to thrive, serving the spiritual needs of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christian community under the clergy of Melake Mehret Fr. Anthenh Getu since September 2013. Through the blessings of God and the Holy Mother Mary, the church remains a place of worship, unity, and spiritual growth for Ethiopians living in Ireland.