Continued 👇🏾
The Trials and Ascetic Struggle
The saint’s ascetic feats are awe-inspiring. By divine strength, he was given six radiant wings when the devil sought to destroy him, and he flew as a cherub. He shattered idols, healed the sick, and humbled dragons through the sign of the cross.
Yet his greatest struggle was not against beasts or demons, but against his own flesh. For seven years he stood upon one leg, like a pillar unshaken, fasting without food or water.It was only in the fourth year of the seven years that they tasted a little water. His cane broke beneath him from long vigils, yet he persevered, until the Lord appeared, clothing him with fire and crowning him with seven crowns of life:
For his pure faith,
For his journeys across Ethiopia,
For his sufferings against idolatry,
For his pilgrimages to Jerusalem,
For his fasting and ceaseless prayer,
For his monastic labors,
For his blood shed in the struggle for the faith.
Thus, even before his death, Christ granted him a vision of his heavenly inheritance.
His Final Admonitions
As his repose drew near, he spoke to his disciples with fatherly counsel:
“Not every monk enters the kingdom of heaven, but only those who despise the world. Seek first the righteousness of God. Fast and pray. Love one another. Do not love the fleeting glory of the world, but imitate the fathers of old, who conquered evil through toil and tears. If you share not their sufferings, you will not share their joy.”
He urged them to be free from worldly vanities, to serve the Church without ceasing, and to remain steadfast in prayer and charity. Then, blessing them, he commended his soul to God.
His Glorious Repose and Promise
On Nehase 24, 1296 Abune Tekle Haymanot entered into rest. Christ appeared with His Virgin Mother and the holy angels, receiving his pure soul with honor. The angels cried: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15).
He was buried at Debre Asbo, which later became Debre Libanos, and after 57 years his relics were transferred with great solemnity. The Lord promised that no soul invoking the name of Tekle Haymanot whether righteous or sinner would be left without his intercession before the throne of God.
His Feasts
The Church celebrates his holy life in several feasts:
His conception, Megabit 24, 1196
His birth, Tahsas 24, 1197
His ordination, Hidar 24, 1197
The breaking of his leg through prayer, Tir 4, 1289
His repose, Nehase 24, 1296
The translation of his relics, Ginbot 12, 1353
Conclusion
Beloved, the life of Abune Tekle Haymanot is not only history, but prophecy fulfilled in Ethiopia. He is the living witness that God raises up apostles in every generation, and that the Holy Spirit breathes where He wills. His struggle, his counsel, and his intercession remain with us even now.
Let us, therefore, honor his memory with fasting, prayer, and charity, that through his prayers we may also be made worthy of that incorruptible crown prepared for all who love the Lord.
Through the prayers of Abune Tekle Haymanot, may Ethiopia and all who call upon him be preserved in the true faith, now and forevermore. Amen.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always.
May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us.
Amen.
© John's Repentance
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