H. H. Pope Shenouda III has assigned H. G. Abune Makarius to serve as bishop (overseer) of the North America Diocese of the

Eritrean Orthodox Church. His Holiness, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All of Africa on the Holy Apostolic See of St. Mark the Evangelist, has always demonstrated his abiding love towards the Eritrean people and the Eritrean Orthodox Church (EOC). This has been particularly so during the painful travails the EOC has experienced in the past four years. For this, the Eritrean people will remain deeply indebted to His Holiness.

His Holiness made this important decision on the heels of the historic meeting the Council of Clergy of the Diocese held with him in New Jersey on September 26, 2009.

H. G.  Bishop Makarius, a highly learned individual, was consecrated on May 20, 1991.  Although an Eritrean by birth, he has been a member of the Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church for several years. He is now serving as a General Bishop in the United States.

H. G. Bishop Makarius had his first official meeting with the clergy of the North America Diocese on October 17, 2009. In the meeting, His Grace conducted a solemn deliberation on the current state of schism within the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the status of His Holiness Abune Antonios, the only and legitimate patriarch of the EOC, as well as the task ahead.

The North America Diocese of the EOC is pleased to have the insightful leadership of H. G. Bishop Makarius and wishes him success.

May God keep his inviolate Church true to her calling and advance the teaching of the Apostles.  We wish our Patriarch, H. H. Abune Antonios, health and many more years of service.

The Eritrean Orthodox Church, North America Diocese.