Pastor Tesfay Siyum, one of the founders of Meserete Kristos Church in Eritrea. Photo provided.


By Henok T. Mekonin
Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Tesfay Siyum, a pastor and one of the founders of the Meserete Kristos Church in Eritrea, spent 10 years in jail for his faith. When he died, he was refused a prompt burial.

 

 

I wasn’t able to fall sleep on April 19 until I wrote this blog, expressing my deep sadness about the suffering Pastor Tesfay Siyum and his family experienced. Pastor Siyum was one of the founders of Meserete Kristos Church in Eritrea and a 1990 graduate of Meserete Kristos Seminary in Ethiopia. He was in his 60s, married and the father of one child. He was also one of the many Christians in Eritrea who have been persecuted for their faith.

Pastor Siyum spent 10 years in prison before being released just two months before his death. He received treatment at Dembe Sembel Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea’s capital city, but died April 8. He was refused a burial until April 22, despite the cultural practice of burying people as soon as possible after death. Only eight people were able to be present at his interment in the Hazhaz Public Cemetery in Asmara.

The Eritrean government recognizes only three church denominations — Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo, Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran — as well as Sunni Islam. Followers of other religions are subject to arrest, deportation and isolation. This policy creates a hostile environment for believers who practice their faith in non-state-approved ways. They risk discrimination, violence and imprisonment.

Reading the news about Pastor Siyum’s persecution reminded me of my experiences, having grown up in a similar context, in Ethiopia. My mother was the first person in our household to convert to Christianity. She attended a secret prayer group in a variety of her friends’ houses, because openly expressing one's faith was dangerous. My father, who passed away when I was in the fourth grade, was a highly religious man and used to go to the local Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido church in the morning, but he also drank alcohol heavily in the afternoon.

During my childhood and youth, openly proclaiming the gospel was impossible. You could only say that you were a Christian, which meant that you were a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church. If you claimed to be a follower of Christ and associated with any other church, you would be cast out from all forms of social connection. People might be violent towards you, spit on you and call you trash. My dad used to beat my mom every time she went to attend a prayer time. You could not defend yourself or seek help from local authorities, since the sentiment was the same from bottom to top. People would often ask, "If you're Pente — a derogatory term for “Pentecostals” that included all radically lived-out expressions of the Christian faith — where will you be buried? Who will come to your house for the funeral service and mourn for you?"

When I grew older and moved to Nazareth, Ethiopia, I started attending the local Meserete Kristos church. In this setting, I experienced a community of believers with whom it felt safe to talk about my mom's conversion. Finally, I also joined the local Meserete Kristos church and started sharing my faith with others.

It is disheartening to learn that people like Pastor Siyum still suffer in prison for years because of their faith. What's even more troubling is that he could not be buried in a proper place, because he did not belong to a state-recognized religion.

The story of Pastor Siyum’s life and death is a poignant reminder of the ongoing persecution of Christians in Eritrea and other parts of the world. It is essential to raise awareness about this issue and advocate for the protection of religious freedom and human rights for all. As believers, we must continue to support and pray for those who face persecution, even if we are not directly affected.

In Numbers 23:10, Balaam blesses the Israelites, affirming that God's blessings on them cannot be overturned by human actions.

“Who can count the dust of Jacob

  or number even a fourth of Israel?

Let me die the death of the righteous,

  and may my final end be like theirs!” — Numbers 23:10, NIV

 Related

 

 

Civil rights learning tour recap: days one and twoJust Peace Pilgrimagehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4904/Civil-rights-learning-tour-recap-days-one-and-twoCivil rights learning tour recap: days one and twoGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Georgia
Solar energy brings healing to land and communitiesSolar energyhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4901/Solar-energy-brings-healingSolar energy brings healing to land and communitiesGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Pass Along Peace with Service!Pass along peace!Videohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4894/Pass-Along-Peace-with-ServicePass Along Peace with Service!GP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Elkhart County Mennonites unite to open faith-based immigrant legal aid centerChurch plantinghttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4893/legal-aid-centerElkhart County Mennonites unite to open faith-based immigrant legal aid centerGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Indiana
Congolese Mennonites preserve church historyChurch Historyhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4891/Congolese-Mennonites-preserve-church-historyCongolese Mennonites preserve church historyGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
South African peace leaders determined to be nation’s lightPeacebuildinghttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4889/South-African-peace-leaders-determinedSouth African peace leaders determined to be nation’s lightGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Johannesburg
Meserete Kristos pastor denied prompt burial due to faithFaithhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4887/Meserete-Kristos-pastor-denied-prompt-burial-due-to-faithMeserete Kristos pastor denied prompt burial due to faithGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Eritrea
Cloth diapers for refugees make economic and environmental impactEarth Dayhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4884/Cloth-diapers-for-refugees-make-economic-and-environmental-impact-Cloth diapers for refugees make economic and environmental impactGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Quito
From Mission-wary to Missionary: The Complexity of a South African ChristianityPODCASThttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4886/From-Mission-wary-to-Missionary-The-Complexity-of-a-South-African-ChristianityFrom Mission-wary to Missionary: The Complexity of a South African ChristianityGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Rough handball hands bring healing and hope when joined in prayerHandball and prayerhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4881/Rough-handball-hands-bring-healing-and-hope-when-joined-in-prayerRough handball hands bring healing and hope when joined in prayerGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Mannheim
Celebrating Holy Week in multiple cultures can deepen faithHoly Weekhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4879/Celebrating-Holy-Week-in-multiple-culturesCelebrating Holy Week in multiple cultures can deepen faithGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
From Mission-wary to Missionary: You Must Remember ThisPODCASThttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4880/From-Mission-wary-to-Missionary-You-Must-Remember-ThisFrom Mission-wary to Missionary: You Must Remember ThisGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
I found these women celebratingBloghttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4876/I-found-these-women-celebratingI found these women celebratingGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Mississippi
Anabaptists from four Andean nations worship and explore themes of reconciliation: a photo essayLatin Americahttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4874/Anabaptists-from-four-Andean-nations-worship-and-explore-themes-of-reconciliationAnabaptists from four Andean nations worship and explore themes of reconciliation: a photo essayGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Quito
Ramadan shaped our response to the COVID-19 pandemicRamadan https://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4871/Ramadan-shaped-our-response-to-the-COVID-19-pandemicRamadan shaped our response to the COVID-19 pandemicGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476

 

 

https://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4887/Meserete-Kristos-pastor-denied-prompt-burial-due-to-faith

Henok Mekonin's ministry is jointly supported by Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and Mennonite Mission Network. He provides leadership for a partnership with Meserete Kristos Seminary.

 

 

Civil rights learning tour recap: days one and twohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4904/Civil-rights-learning-tour-recap-days-one-and-twoCivil rights learning tour recap: days one and two
Solar energy brings healing to land and communitieshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4901/Solar-energy-brings-healingSolar energy brings healing to land and communities
Pass Along Peace with Service!https://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4894/Pass-Along-Peace-with-ServicePass Along Peace with Service!
Elkhart County Mennonites unite to open faith-based immigrant legal aid centerhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4893/legal-aid-centerElkhart County Mennonites unite to open faith-based immigrant legal aid center
Congolese Mennonites preserve church historyhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4891/Congolese-Mennonites-preserve-church-historyCongolese Mennonites preserve church history
South African peace leaders determined to be nation’s lighthttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4889/South-African-peace-leaders-determinedSouth African peace leaders determined to be nation’s light



 

 

Choosing community in a globalized worldhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4907/choosing-community-globalized-worldChoosing community in a globalized worldCommunity
It starts with languagehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4905/It-starts-with-languageIt starts with languageStewardship
Meserete Kristos Seminary celebrates 101 graduates, expands training globallyhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4906/Meserete-Kristos-Seminary-celebrates-101-graduates-expands-training-globallyMeserete Kristos Seminary celebrates 101 graduates, expands training globallyMeserete Kristos Seminary
Civil rights learning tour recap: days one and twohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4904/Civil-rights-learning-tour-recap-days-one-and-twoCivil rights learning tour recap: days one and twoJust Peace Pilgrimage
Mennonite Mission Network now scheduling autumn Just Peace Pilgrimageshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4902/autumn-Just-Peace-PilgrimagesMennonite Mission Network now scheduling autumn Just Peace PilgrimagesJust Peace Pilgrimage
Mission Network seminars at MennoCon23 for all ageshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4890/seminars-at-MennoCon23Mission Network seminars at MennoCon23 for all agesMennoCon23