On Nomination of First Church Head, Archbishop Basilios ,January 19, 1951
``We are thankful to God at tbe nomination of an Ethiopian to be the Archbishop
of Ethiopia, which accomplishment We consider to be of the highest importance of
all that We have done, during Our reign for the benefit of the Ethiopian Church.
The effort, undertaken several years ago, and the path We have had to travel
since, for the gradual attainment of complete authority for the Ethiopian
Church, has been too arduous to be forgotten.
At last, the work willed by God has been accomplished, and He has given Our
independent nation a Church, endowed with authority, which ranks among the free
churches of the world. This accomplishment, which has taken place during Our
reign, constituted a matter of pride for Us as well as for Our people. The
monarchs of Our ancestry earnestly desired and hoped to witness this event; and
God has enabled Us to see realized the hope, strengthened by faith.
Our congratulations go to Your Grace that you are the first Ethiopian to be
entrusted with such a high and sacred duty during Our reign. An era of increased
mutual respect and coidiality has opened between the Ethiopian and Egyptian
Orthodox Churches.
Our thanks are due to His Holiness Yosab II, of the Holy Seat of St. Mark, who
consented to bring this matter to a settlement, in the light of God's
inspiration; We are happy to remark that this ecclesiastical evolution, effected
in Our age, points to our common good luck.
Spiritual power is the eternal guide, in this life and the life after, for man
ranks supreme among all creatures. Led forward by spiritual power, man can reach
the summit destined for him by the Great Creator.
In Your Grace is vested the responsibility for the contribution of the Ethiopian
Church. for its part, towards giving the remedy for, and the spiritual comfort
to, the wounds caused by the evil in the world. Moreover, in particular, the
duty is yours for giving guidance to the Ethiopian people for their benefit in
their terrestrial as well celestial lives.
We earnestly hope that God grant you strength and His Grace to help you
discharge the heavy duties that you shoulder.``