Saint Chirstos Semra
August 29, 2022
Dear Children of God, Greetings to you and gratitude to Almighty God!
Children, how are you? We hope you are well and good!
Today we are going to tell you the story about Chirstos Semra. So be with us!
Saint Chirstos Semra was born in Shewa Region, Bulga Province, in Ethiopia in a specific place called Saint Gaye. There were two rich couples in this area; the husband was called Dersani and the wife was called Eleni. Both were generous and God fearing. They gave birth to Chirtos Semra whom they have raised teaching her God’s laws and norms.
When she became young woman, they got her married off to Semre Giorgis. He was rich and loved Chirstos Semra who was so beautiful. Her Father in law Eyesus Moa used to prophesies that she is a chosen by God for a His work and always use to respect her like our Lady Saint Mary. She had eleven children with her husband; nine sons and two daughters. The king during her time was Atse Gebremeskel and listening about her and amazing beliefs, he used to love and respect her too. Asking her to remember him in her prayers, King Gebremeskel sent her servants, horse, mule, clothes and shoe made of gold. She did not like all the gifts; she sold the gifts and gave to the needy and the Church.
One day, the Archangel Saint Michael appeared in front of her face with three breads. Although she asked her servants to bring her the breads, none were able to see what she saw and asked. The Archangel said to her ‘’eat this Chirstos Semra, this was given to you by the generosity of our God’’. She ate it and did not eat or drink for three days after that as the Holy Spirit had entered her.
Saint Chirstos Semara’s servants died. Then she started to cry and seek for forgiveness from God. She prayed God to follow him leaving her wealth and family aside if he reunited the dead woman’s body and soul. Her prayer was listened and the woman that died was alive again. She believed that she should carry out what she promised to her God. She continued her prayers citing from the Psalms of David and Saint Yared. She finally joined Debre Libanos Females Monastery. Here, she was blessed and praised by our God.
Then, one day she called all the nuns and told them that she will assign them a new administrator for the Monastery and that she would only be present with them spiritually but not physically. She then entered a dug ground. Then she asked one of her assistants and told her to put three sharp spears each in front, back, on her left hand and right hand sides. She also asked her to shackle her hands at the back of her. Standing in the middle of these spears she was repenting, bowing, fasting and praying. The stabs of the spears during her bowing prayers severed her body. She did this spiritual struggle for 12 years. God’s angel then advised her to go out and pray inside Tana Lake and she did this for three years.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, His Mother Saint Mary, Saint Michael and many other saints came to Saint Chirstos Semra. Prophet David also came with them. Lord Jesus then said to her that he was there to take her from this unwanted world into the everlasting world. He also made many promises to her saying that those who respect, call her name, build a church in her name and do well on her name, would do those favours and listens to their wishes and prayers. He said that even if she would be buried on earth, he would raise her after two days. He said he would forgive those who call her name, do good will be forgiven up to their 10th generation and named the Island she was in as ‘the Church of forgiveness and love’. He told her that her honour is equal to Cherkos, Aron, Mosses, Saint George, Entonces and Mekarios. He said he would respect all those that respect her. Saint Chirstos Semra’s soul left her flesh on August 24th (Ethiopian Calendar.). Her soul was resurrected. When she resurrected she sat next to the Saint Mary.
When Monk Yishak went to the Monastery to visit her, he found out that she was dead. He then called all the nuns and buried her. After that, he decided to follow her footsteps, dug a hole in his length, and started to live in the well praying and fasting. Then, he also died and through the prayers and mediation of Chirstos Semara he entered heaven.
Saint Chirstos Semara lived 375 years on earth. Filipos, the writer of the Miracle book says that he did not live during times of Saint Chirstos Semara but she appeared to him in spirit during times of the Ethiopian King, Dawit II and ordered him to write her Miracles. Her saintly day is celebrated on the 24th of every month. Congregates head to Tana Lake, Amhara Region, Ethiopia every year to celebrate her saintly day in the church she was buried.
Farewell Dear children! We believe you have understood the story and don’t forget to go Holy Church especially on Saturday and Sunday!
Till we meet for our next lesson, have a good week!