👉🏾👉🏾 👉🏾Abba #Yim’ata #Tsadiq (Tikimt 28)
Dear beloved followers of the Orthodox faith, peace and grace be with you. Today, through the blessings of God, we share with you this important teaching so that you may read, understand, and grow in the knowledge of truth.
Although the righteous saint Abba Yim’ata was martyred in Ethiopia, his birthplace was in Asia Minor, within the boundaries of the ancient Roman Empire. Abba Yim’ata is one of the Nine Saints who came to Ethiopia.
Though they were all born and raised under the same empire, each of them came from a different region. What united them was not their homeland but the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.
The secret of their unity can be explained in three divine truths:
👉🏾 Their faith in Monotheism (Tewahedo)
👉🏾 Their shared goal – the Kingdom of God
👉🏾 Their common monastic life
✍🏾Their Journey and Purpose
All of the Nine Saints, including Abba Yim’ata, were of noble and royal descent. Yet, they chose to despise worldly honor and pursue heavenly glory. Having studied the Holy Scriptures deeply, they renounced the comforts of their homeland and traveled to the deserts of Egypt and beyond.
During the 5th century A.D., when believers in the true faith of Tewahedo were persecuted by heretics, these saints chose exile rather than abandoning their faith. Among them, it is believed that Abba pentelewon and Abune Aregawi were the first to depart.
At that time, no land was more fitting as a refuge for the faithful than Ethiopia. Thus, around 470 A.D., during the reign of King Al'ameda of Ethiopia, the saints arrived under the leadership of Abune Aregawi.
The king, recognizing that they were men of God, received them with great honor. He granted them a place in Aksum known as Bet Qetin to dwell and serve the Lord.
✍🏾Their Work in Ethiopia
Upon entering Ethiopia, their first task was to learn the Gëëz language. Having mastered it through diligence and tradition, they began their ministry in the Aksum region.
At that time, Christianity, which had been kindled earlier by Abune Selama, Be-Abraha We-Atsbeha, and Abune Muse I, had grown weak among the people. Abba Yim’ata and his companions rekindled that flame of faith.
They preached the Gospel in the local tongue, strengthened those who were wavering, and turned back those who had fallen away. They also translated many holy books brought from their homeland intoGëëz, preserving and spreading divine wisdom.
Their life together was filled with love, humility, and prayer. They ate and prayed as one family, and the grace of God never departed from among them.
Continues 👇🏾