Cherubim and Seraphim Church leader, Prophet Samuel Abidoye, dies at 103
By Emma Ogbuehi
The spiritual father and chairman of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Abidoye, popularly known as Baba Aladura, has died.
Baba Aladura was born on June 26, 1920 as a prince at Omu Aran, Irepodun Local Government of Kwara State.
He was aged 103 years.
He died on Sunday, November 12 around 10 am.
In a statement on Monday, November 13, titled, “Transition to glory,” the church’s secretary general, Ademola Odetundun, said: “With gratitude to God Almighty for a life well spent, we announce the transition to glory of our father, grandfather, great grandfather, the spiritual father and chairman of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church worldwide Ayo ni o, His Grace Baba Aladura, Prophet Samuel Adefila Abidoye, who passed unto glory today, November 12, 2023 around 10 am at a ripe age.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace and May God grant the Church the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Burial arrangement will be announced later.”
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It was also learned that the spiritual father’s remains had been transferred to a morgue while the church decided how to bury him.
In 1960, the late Baba Aladura travelled to London to study photography. He sailed out of Nigeria to London on January 5, 1961.
Throughout his approximately 48 years in England, he was said to have observed the Lenten period and never missed this fasting season even before the first Cherubim and Seraphim Church was founded by him and some fellow Seraph sojourners in the Whiteman’s land.
In 1965, a number of faithful Seraphs including Special Apostle David Olorunrinu Ogundele, Special Apostle Solomon Olu Ajibode, Late Snr. Apostle Prophet Rose Ozasuwa (first Church Secretary), Late Special Apostle Dr. Prophet Gabriel O. Fakeye, Late Special Apostle J.B. Opaleke, Late Baba Aladura Ijaodola of Ifesowapo, Late Special Apostle Prophet Peter Korode and Baba Aladura Samuel Abidoye started the Holy Order of The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church in London at his house 18, Arlingford Road London.
In 1970 the Secretary of the church, Special Apostle Prophet Peter Korode, and Baba Aladura Samuel Abidoye as the Spiritual Leader, registered the church in the United Kingdom.
In 2005, The Most Rev’d Dr. Samuel Adefila Abidoye was unanimously appointed the Spiritual Father (Baba Aladura) of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide during the international Conference at Ibadan.
His official installation as the fifth Baba Aladura took place in May 2006 during the Mount Horeb Ascension celebration at Kaduna.