- Some 85 mln Birr required to completion
ADDIS ABABA – The restoration of the Holy Trinity Cathedral has reached 75 percent, the church’s administrator disclosed, adding that some 85 million Birr is required for the completion of the maintenance work.
Briefing the media yesterday, the administrator Komose Aba Sirak Admasu said that the renovation of the cathedral is being done with a contract of 172 million Birr by a construction firm Varnero.
According to Aba Sirak, various bodies have been contributing to the maintenance work whereby the Addis Ababa Culture Art and Tourism Bureau has allotted six million Birr thus far from its 10 million Birr pledge.
Mentioning the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) limited capacity to finance the restoration work other than of its follower’s contribution, he urged the faithful and other Ethiopians to play their part to preserve the cathedral, which is among the country’s preferred tourist attractions.
Accordingly, the Cathedral announced different bank accounts and a website that will serve to collect donations and further revealed the plan to set a fundraising event in the coming Sunday.
“The EOTC is rich with national heritages, indigenous knowledge, and among the canons of the country’s civilization and the cathedral is also where patriarchs and archbishops are coronate, their graves are laid to rest, and the mausoleums of individuals and leaders who have made great contributions to the country are located.”
Finance Committee Coordinator Kesis Biruk Alelegn on his part said that the Cathedral formed two committees to mobilize the resource in a responsible and accountable manner.
He indicated the Cathedral is different from others because it is where patriarchs and arch bishops take oath and various events are held. This type of institution has an immense role in other countries in generating forex and luring international tourists.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral, also known in Amharic as Kidist Selassie, is the highest ranking Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Addis Ababa. The milestone of the Church was laid by Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1924 to commemorate the Ethiopian victory over Italian occupation.
BY MESERET BEHAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 19 APRIL 2024
