Abuna Aregawi
Encyclopedia
Abuna Aregawi is a sixth century Syrian monk, whom tradition holds founded the monastery Debre Damo
, said to have been commissioned by Emperor Gebre Mesqel. He is one of the Nine Saints
of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church who claims he came from various parts of the Roman Empire to escape persecution after the Council of Chalcedon
(451). The Nine Saints, Abba 'Afsé, Abba 'Aléf, Abba Gärima, Abba Guba, Abba Liqanos, Abba Pantelewon
, Abba Sähma, Abba Yäm'ata and Abba Zä-Mika'él 'Arägawi were learned monks who revitalized Christianity in Ethiopia and to whom the Ge'ez version of the New Testament is attributed.
Most information about him consists of legends. In one of these legends, after spending twelve years at the court of king Ella Amida of Axum, he set out with his companion the nun Edna
to found Debre Damo. Later in his life, king Kaleb
is said to have sought his advice before setting out to south Arabia against the Jewish king Dhu Nuwas
.
According to another legend, God provided a large snake for him to aid him in climbing the amba, or steep-sided mountain, so he could build Debre Damo. As David Buxton recounts the story, "when Abba Aragawi, the founder of the monastery, came to the foot of the cliff a great serpent appeared. As St. Michael stood by to give directions, the serpent folded Abba Arawi in his coils and drew him to the top of the mountain."
Debre Damo
Debre Damo is the name of a flat-topped mountain, or amba, and a 6th century monastery in northern Ethiopia. The mountain is a steeply rising plateau of trapezoidal shape, about 1000 by 400 meters in dimension. With a latitude and longitude of , it sits at an elevation of 2216 meters above sea level...
, said to have been commissioned by Emperor Gebre Mesqel. He is one of the Nine Saints
Nine Saints
The Nine Saints were a group of missionaries who were important in the initial growth of Christianity in what is now Ethiopia during the late 5th century. Their names were Abba Aftse, Abba Alef, Abba Aragawi, Abba Garima , Abba Guba, Abba Liqanos, Abba Pantelewon, Abba Sehma, and Abba Yem’ata...
of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church who claims he came from various parts of the Roman Empire to escape persecution after the Council of Chalcedon
Council of Chalcedon
The Council of Chalcedon was a church council held from 8 October to 1 November, 451 AD, at Chalcedon , on the Asian side of the Bosporus. The council marked a significant turning point in the Christological debates that led to the separation of the church of the Eastern Roman Empire in the 5th...
(451). The Nine Saints, Abba 'Afsé, Abba 'Aléf, Abba Gärima, Abba Guba, Abba Liqanos, Abba Pantelewon
Abba Pantelewon
Abba Pentelewon was a Christian monk who is traditionally credited with founding Pentalewon Monastery located on the top of Mai Qoho Hill northwest of Axum in northern Ethiopia...
, Abba Sähma, Abba Yäm'ata and Abba Zä-Mika'él 'Arägawi were learned monks who revitalized Christianity in Ethiopia and to whom the Ge'ez version of the New Testament is attributed.
Most information about him consists of legends. In one of these legends, after spending twelve years at the court of king Ella Amida of Axum, he set out with his companion the nun Edna
Edna
-People:*Edna , a feminine given name-Places:In the United States*Edna Bay, Alaska*Edna, California*Edna Valley AVA, American Viticultural Area in California*Edna Township, Cass County, Iowa*Edna, Kansas*Edna Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota...
to found Debre Damo. Later in his life, king Kaleb
Kaleb of Axum
Kaleb is perhaps the best-documented, if not best-known, king of Axum. Procopius of Caesarea calls him "Hellestheaeus", a variant of his throne name Ella Atsbeha or Ella Asbeha...
is said to have sought his advice before setting out to south Arabia against the Jewish king Dhu Nuwas
Dhu Nuwas
Yūsuf Dhū Nuwas, was the last king of the Himyarite kingdom of Yemen and a convert to Judaism....
.
According to another legend, God provided a large snake for him to aid him in climbing the amba, or steep-sided mountain, so he could build Debre Damo. As David Buxton recounts the story, "when Abba Aragawi, the founder of the monastery, came to the foot of the cliff a great serpent appeared. As St. Michael stood by to give directions, the serpent folded Abba Arawi in his coils and drew him to the top of the mountain."