About St. #Tekle_Haymanot
Dear members of John's Repentance spiritual service, today we send you a lesson on St. Tekle Haymanot, who's monthly feast we celebrated yesterday so that you may better understand his story and use it as an inspiration to shape yours.
Venerated Pillar of Apostolic Faith
Just as a well-nurtured tree yields bounteous fruit, so too is the true faith enriched and passed down by holy servants of the Lord. Consider the chronicles of Saint Tekle Haymanot, the radiant beacon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Born to the world on December 27, 1214 AD, his entry into this realm had been divinely announced the prior year, on March 27, 1214 AD. Originally christened "Fiseha Zion," he was reared under this name and in the devout shadow of his father, Tzaga Ze'ab. Young Fiseha Zion immersed himself in holy scriptures, the Bluyat and the Hadisat, manifesting an early zeal for divine matters. Legend recounts his prowess as a hunter, but in a profound epiphany, the heavens rent asunder, revealing our Savior Jesus Christ, borne on the wings of Archangel Michael, with a celestial chorus of angels in tow. Addressing the astounded youth, our Lord decreed, "Henceforth, you shall bear the name 'Planted Trinity,' and your hunt shall no longer be for game, but for souls. Fear not, for I am perpetually at your side." And then, as mysteriously as He had appeared, our Lord vanished into the heavenly expanse.
Armed with this divine mandate, Saint Tekle Haymanot distributed his earthly possessions among the needy and embarked on a divine mission, starting at Mnane. Ordained by the Pope, he began evangelizing with such enthusiasm that his very first sermon led ten thousand souls in the region of "Shwa Tsilalesh" to baptism. He then traversed vast tracts of Ethiopia, reclaiming lands and souls lost to foreign religions due to past onslaughts by Judith and Islamic influence. He unflinchingly faced down the heretical Marian sorcerers.
Apart from his evangelical conquests, Saint Tekle Haymanot was a cornerstone of monasticism in Ethiopia. His dedication saw him serve in three renowned monasteries: Abune Besilote Michael Monastery for twelve years, Abune Jesus Moa Zahaiq Monastery for seven years, and Debre Damo for another seven years alongside Abune Yohani. This sums up to an impressive twenty-six years. Post his monastic commitments, he retreated to Medreshwa (Zorre), where he spent twenty-two years in deep prayer, during which he famously planted six spears around him and prayed continuously for seven years.
His faith was not confined to Ethiopia. Spiritual encounters and blessings marked his pilgrimage to Jerusalem. At the sight of the sacred places, including Christ's crucifixion at Calvary, he wept bitterly. Legend speaks of a divine vision he received wherein he beheld the Holy Trinity in its unity and trinity and declared, "Glory to the Holy Trinity," before descending back to earth.
The miraculous exploits of Saint Tekle Haymanot are innumerable. He resurrected the dead, healed the ailing, exorcised demons, and performed wonders that transcended the earthly realm. He was a luminary, a beacon guiding many towards the light of Orthodoxy, and even founded Mount Lebanon Monastery, a unique abode where male and female monks coexisted in spiritual harmony. After a lifetime replete with tribulations and triumphs for the faith, he entered the heavenly abode at the age of ninety-nine, on August 25, 1314 AD.
May the blessings and intercession of our revered father, Saint Tekle Haymanot, always be our fortress and guide, amen.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever, today and always.
May the blessings of the Holy Mother of God, the Virgin, and the Cross be upon us. Amen.
© John's Repentance
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