Conference of Addis Ababa

The Conference of Addis Ababa was a meeting of the Oriental [Orthodox Churches] in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 15–21 January 1965. Hosted nominally by Abuna Basilios, but effectively by Abuna Theophilos, this meeting was momentous as there had been no such collective meeting of the various non-Chalcedonian churches since the 5th century at Ephesus. The meeting was attended by Pope Cyril VI, Mor Ignatius Yaq'ub III, Vazgen I, Khoren I, and Mar Baselios Augen I.

Organization

Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, conceived of the meeting, for him a way to integrate the non-Chalcedonian churches. While Selassie initially invited representatives of both Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox churches, the invitation to the latter was rescinded, as Selassie wished the Oriental Orthodox churches to discuss communion.