Addis Ababa, April 9, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - His Holiness Pope Shinoda III of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark would arrive here on Friday to pay a three- day official visit to Ethiopia, the Egyptian Ambassador to Ethiopia said.Ambassador Tarek Ghoneim told journalists on Wednesday that the visit of the Pope would further strengthen the long-standing relations between Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC).
During his stay here, the Pope is expected discuss with EOC's Patriarch His Holiness Abune Paulos, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and President Girma Woldegiorgis.
The two Patriarchs would jointly offer prayers at the Trinity Cathedral here in the capital, the Ambassador said.
The Ambassador recalled that Abune Paulos, who is also President of the World Council of Churches, has visited the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria in July 2007.
Ethiopia and Egypt are executing various activities aiming at peace and security in all African nations. Efforts are also being made to scale up the trade cooperation between the two countries, he added.
The relation of the two churches dates back to 330 AD.
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