Gabra Manfas Qeddus

Gabra Manfas Qeddus (Amharic: ገብረ መንፈስ ቅዱስ; also familiarly called Abo) was an Ethiopian Christian saint, and the founder of the monastery of Zuqualla. The fifth day of every month in the Ethiopian calendar is dedicated to this saint.

Manuscripts differ in relating the story of the life of Gabra Manfas Qeddus and the miracles he performed. Unless otherwise stated, the account below is pieced together from various legends about his life.

One text reports Gabra Manfas Qeddus lived 562 years, 300 of them in Egypt, while another attributes him a life of 362 years. He was born in Nehisa, Egypt to noble parents, named Simon and Eklesia. Eklesia, according to legend, came from the tribe of Benjamin of ancient Israel. Eklesia and Simon are said to have been barren for 30 years. The day of Gabra’s conception and the date of his birth are said to coincide with those of Jesus Christ.

Forty days after his birth, the baptism of Gabra Manfas Qeddus was celebrated with a banquet attended by the Roman emperor. He developed traits common to all prodigious children. By the age of two, tradition reports that he was already wise. When he was three years old, God sent his archangel Gabriel to the child, to take him into the desert and put him into the custody of the monk Zamada Berhan, leaving his parents and nurse in despair. There he was ordained priest and became an abbot.

For a time Gabra remained in the desert performing miracles, while people from remote countries visited him. Then a second time God sent Gabriel to take Gabra deeper into the desert, and to have him live amongst 60 lions and 60 leopards. While there, Gabra Manfas Qeddus developed thick white hair covering all his body like a coat. He was able to appease the wild beasts, and in this respect resembled the figure of Daniel from the Old Testament. As he was able to talk to the animals, he may also be compared to saint Francis of Assisi.

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