👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾The Holy Life of #Kristos #Semra (Feast: #Nehase 24)
Beloved in Christ, today we turn our hearts to the luminous memory of Holy Mother Kristos Semra, the fragrant flower of Shewa, the glory of Zion, and the chosen staff of the Holy Virgin Mary. Her story is not merely history; it is a divine testimony, a mirror of faith, a torch of endurance, and a ladder leading heavenward.
Her Birth and Early Life
Holy Kristos Semra was born in Geye, Shewa Bulga Province, from faithful parents her father Deresani and her mother Eleni. Like the righteous of old, they nurtured their daughter in the fear of God, raising her in the holy order of the Church, and instructing her in the books of both the Old and New Testaments.
When she came of age, they gave her in marriage to Semre Giorgis, son of Eyesus Moa. The Lord blessed their union with twelve children ten sons and two daughters. Yet, unlike many who are distracted by worldly care, Kristos Semra raised her children in discipline and in the law of God, sowing in them the seed of eternal life.
The King’s Praise and the Vision of St. Michael
In those days reigned the merciful Emperor Gebre Meskel. Hearing of her beauty, her kindness, and her renown, he counted her among the 174 most admirable women of his kingdom. In his favor, he sent 272 young servants to attend to her.
But Kristos Semra, fearing the vanity of earthly praise, turned her heart to God in prayer. And lo! the Archangel Michael appeared to her in vision, greeting her with the heavenly salutation:
“Peace be with you, beloved Kristos Semra. Eat of the bread of heaven, which is the goodness of God.and he fed her”
Filled with the Holy Spirit, she gave thanks to her Creator. With the servants sent by the king, she built a church in honor of St. Michael, just as the Archangel had commanded her.
Her Ministry and the Miracle of Resurrection
She brought the Ark of the Angel into that holy temple and served God with devotion. Yet trials were not far from her path. One day, a servant girl fell under the power of an unclean spirit and resisted her mistress’s counsel. Soon after, the girl died, and Kristos Semra wept bitterly, lamenting:
“This death shall be accounted as my own sin, O Lord!”
In her grief, she prayed to God, and He, the Creator of life, raised the girl from the dead. Overcome with joy, she declared:
“If the Lord works such wonders for me while still in this passing world, how much more glorious will His gifts be in the life to come!”
Her Renunciation and Life of Asceticism
Strengthened in spirit, she left her husband, her children, and her household, taking with her only her youngest son. She entered the holy monastery of Debre Libanos, where she dedicated herself to fasting and prayer.
Yet even here, her life was marked by sorrow mingled with glory. When her child was taken into Paradise by the Archangel Michael, she was pierced with grief. But the Archangel comforted her with the revelation that her son rejoices eternally in the kingdom of God.
Led thereafter to Lake Tana, she spent twelve years immersed in the waters, standing in prayer until her body became swollen and even the fish passed through her. Yet Christ appeared to her, granting her ten crowns from heaven and surrounding her with the guardianship of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and above all, His holy Mother, the Virgin Mary.
Her Compassion and Intercession
Burning with divine charity, Kristos Semra prayed even for the enemy of mankind:
“O my Creator, have mercy on the devil, for You have preserved me from his snares. I ask this for the sake of Adam and his children, that he may not deceive them, for their flesh is my flesh.”
The Lord, marveling at her supplication, commanded St. Michael to take her even to Hell. There she spoke with Satan himself, who mocked her attempt at reconciliation and cast her into the flames. But Michael struck Hell with his sword, opening a path of deliverance. And behold! 10,000 souls clung to the radiance of her spirit and were brought forth with her into freedom.
Continues 👇🏾