“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” (Corinthians 9:15)

We are filled with gratitude and joy to share a historic milestone in the life of Debre Bisrat St Gabriel Tigrayan Orthodox Tewahedo Church (TOTC). By the grace of God and the steadfast support of our community, we have now signed a contract to purchase a permanent church premise in London.

Since our establishment in 2007, St Gabriel TOTC has been a spiritual home for Tigrayan Orthodox Christians, and today it also serves as the seat of the Tigrayan Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s European Archdiocese. Over the past 19 years, our congregation has endured constant uncertainty, relocating multiple times and often worshipping under restrictive conditions that have limited our ability to fully practise our faith and traditions.

Despite these challenges, our church has grown into a vital centre of worship, pastoral care, and community support. For many in our congregation, the church is not only a place of prayer but also a source of comfort and healing. This is especially important for members of the Tigrayan diaspora, many of whom have been deeply affected by recent war in Tigray, associated displacement, and profound personal loss. In these difficult times, the church has remained a place of hope, resilience, and unity.

Securing a permanent home marks a transformative moment for our community. It will enable us to worship freely, strengthen our pastoral and sacramental life, and provide a stable and welcoming space for current and future generations. It will also reinforce our role as the spiritual centre of the European Archdiocese, extending support beyond London to Tigrayan Orthodox faithful across the continent.

While we celebrate this achievement, we recognise that the journey is not yet complete. We continue to rely on the prayers, generosity, and support of our community and friends to fully realise this vision and sustain our mission.

We give thanks to God for His Blessings and to all who have supported us along this journey.

May God bless and reward us all abundantly