Hundreds Reportedly Dead After Massacre at Oriental Orthodox Church in Ethiopia

[mountaineer]

Hundreds Reportedly Dead After Massacre at Oriental Orthodox Church in Ethiopia
Adigrat, Ethiopia, Jan 20, 2021 / 05:34 pm MT (CNA).

At least 750 people are reported dead after an attack on an Oriental Orthodox church in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, according to a European watchgroup.

On Jan. 9, the Europe External Programme with Africa reported that the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum, about 80 miles west of Adigrat, had been attacked, and that hundreds of people who hid inside were brought out to the front square and shot to death.

According to Church Times UK, the attack was carried out by Ethiopian government troops and Amhara militia from central Ethiopia. At least 1,000 people were estimated to be hiding in the church at the time of the attack. ... More from Catholic News Agency

[thackney]

Locals have said they believe the church was targeted by raiders of the lost ark. The church is thought to contain the original Ark of the Covenant, a sacred golden chest first mentioned in the book of Exodus that carried the 10 commandments, parts of sacred scripture, Aaron’s rod, and a pot of manna.