King Saint Neakuto Leab Hidden

👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾#King #Saint #Neakuto #Leab — Hidden by the Father (Commemorated on Hidar 3) Beloved faithful who follow the Orthodox teachings , we greet you in the peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ.Today, we bring you a blessed teaching based on the life and holiness of Saint Neakuto Leab, that you may read, learn, and be strengthened in faith. ✍🏾 Birth and Prophecy The father of Saint Neakuto Leab was Saint Gebre Mariam (Harbe), the elder brother of Saint Lalibela, and his mother was called Merkez. Before his birth, Saint Gabriel the Archangel appeared to Saint Lalibela and told him, “The one who will be born from your brother is holy and good. He shall be your heir.” In time, Saint Merkez gave birth to the holy child Neakuto, who was raised in the palace by Saint Lalibela and saint Meskel kibra, growing in wisdom and grace. When he became old enough to study, a teacher named Isaac instructed him, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Neakuto quickly learned the teachings of the Holy Church. ✍🏾 His Early Life and Marriage After becoming a deacon, Neakuto served his Creator faithfully for twenty years. At the request of Saint Lalibela and by the will of God, he entered into marriage with a devout woman, and their union was blessed in the sacrament of matrimony. Yet Saint Neakuto said to his wife, “My sister, let us preserve our virginity for the glory of God.” She agreed, and they lived together in purity for twenty-five years. ✍🏾 His Service and Ascension to the Throne Saint Neakuto lived in fasting, prayer, and humility. He often spoke with the holy angels and practiced great asceticism carrying iron and stones, bowing down a thousand times a day. Saint Lalibela ordained him and made him governor of a district, and when Lalibela’s time of departure came, he anointed Neakuto as king over all Ethiopia. Even as a ruler, Saint Neakuto continued in fasting, prayer, and service. The Archangel Raphael appeared to him and revealed that he would bear a son. Wishing to preserve his virginity, Neakuto prayed, and the Holy Virgin Mary comforted him in a vision, telling him that the child to be born would be by divine will. His son was named Haile Meskel. ✍🏾 The child was so beautiful that no one could compare to his grace or appearance. Fearing that his son might fall into pride because of his beauty, Saint Neakuto prayed earnestly to the Father, saying, “Lord, this child, boasting of his appearance, may fall into sin and perish. Please, take him this very day and number him among the blessed children who rest in peace.” The Creator heard his humble prayer, and the child was taken from this world in peace on the 16th of Tikmt. ✍🏾 Saint Neakuto did not know his wife more than once, preserving his vow of purity. As for food, he ate only a small portion of Zengada bread on Saturdays and Sundays in the Church of Saint Mary, refusing the food of the palace. Out of deep love and reverence for his Creator, he tied around his neck a stone that no man could lift, praying without ceasing until his sweat fell upon the ground, remembering the sufferings of Christ for the salvation of the world. Continues 👇🏾