The Veneration of Relics of Saint Tekle Haymanot – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

May 20, 2016

By Kassa Nigus

Based on the teachings of Holy Scriptures, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church honors the holy bodies of saints and martyrs and commemorates the days on which their relics are relocated. Saints intercede not only in the realms of the flesh as the scriptures testify for they are alive in soul. (Ex.32:2-15; Enoch 12:33-40, Luke 20:37-40). The word of God is living, and it works on the living.

There are several scriptural passages that support the veneration of relics even in the Old Testament times. For example, the Patriarch Joseph left a testament to the sons of Israel to preserve his bones in Egypt and, during their exodus, to carry them to the Promised Land (Genesis 50:25). Then, Israelites took Joseph’s bones when they departed Egypt (Ex. 13:19). The bones of Elisha came in contact with a dead person who then was raised to life (2 Kings 13:21). With his mantle the Prophet Elijah struck the water, separating the waters of the Jordan and along the dry bed of the river crossed the Jordan with his disciple Elisha ( 2 Kings 2:8). The prophet Elisha did the very same thing, himself, with the same mantle, after Elias was taken away into heaven (2 Kings 2:14). During New Testament times, the Christians of Ephesus, attained healing of the sick through the cloths of St. Paul (Acts 19:12). (From Orthodox Tradition, Vol. VII, No. 1, p. 9)

Moreover, in his boundless love for man, our Lord Jesus Christ allows His servants to work perform not only through their bodies and clothing, but even with the shadow of their bodies, which is evident in an occurrence with St Peter the apostle: his shadow healed an ill man and expelled unclean spirits (Acts 5:15-16). From the very beginning, in apostolic times, Christians devoutly preserved the honored relics of the saints and the holy Apostles, so that these could be preserved for us till now.

In the same religious tradition, the relic of Abune Tekle Haymanot is venerated in the Ethiopian Church every year on May 12. Abune Tekle Haymanot is a well-known saint both amongst Ethiopians, Coptic Christians and beyond. He is the founder of the famous Debre Libanos Monastery in his native province of Shewa. The story of the commemoration of his relic is recorded in his hagiography as follows; Over half a century after his death, the relic of Abune Tekle Haymanot was relocated from Debre Asebot to his Monastery, Debre Libanos, the famous monastery in Ethiopia.

Fifty seven years later after his death, Abune Tekle Haymanot was revealed to his 4th successor, Echege (Abba) Hizkyas in a dream and said to him, my beloved Hizkyas, now, as My Lord Jesus Christ promised me the date of the relocation of my body has reached and God has chosen you to accomplish this mission. So, you have to congregate all my children; all those who believed in my fatherhood shall be gathered and make a spiritual feast. My relic will be moved on May 12 which is the date of the feast of Easter and Saint Michael.

On this day, I, Saint Michael and Echege (Abba) Filipos (the 3rd successor of Abune Tekle Haymanot) will become there to bless the people gathered for the sake of my love. Then, you shall move around my relic three times before the Ark of God. He then disappeared after telling this to Echege Hizkyas.

Accordingly, Abba Hizkyas gathered the dispersed disciples of Abune Tekle haymanot in every direction. The following disciples of the saint were present during the relocation of his relic: Abune Anorewos of Fetegar, Abune Yosef of Ernat, Abune Anorewos of Moret, Abune Merkorewos of Merhabete, Abune Tadewos of Tsilalish, Abune Samuel of Wegeg, Abune Gebre Kristos of Wenji, Abune Medhanine Egzi’e of Denbi, Abune Adhane of Damot, Abune Eyosyas of Kili’atu and Abune Kewistos of Mehagil.

After they gathered, all of them along with Abba Hizkiyas went to the cave where the relic was buried. They dug the tomb and found the relics surrounded by the cross in the left and right. Then, they cut his shroud into pieces to share among them for blessings as it made lots of miracles and instead covered the relic with new clothes and put it in a small coffin. Then, the saint’s twelve disciples entered into the church and moved around the relic three times before the Ark of God.

At a moment, Abune Tekle Haymanot came with Saint Michael and Abba Filipos gloriously and appeared over the Ark till the relics rested. He, then, blessed the people gathered there and ascended to heaven. The twelve disciples and the people at large celebrated the feast gloriously.

Oh my Lord, as the twelve disciples of Abune Tekle Haymanot gathered at Debre Libanos Monastery to venerate his relic, You also gathered us to inherit Your coming kingdom in heaven.
Source:
• Gadle Tekle Haymanot 19 89 E.C., Chapter 65, pp. 216.
• Ethiopic Synaxarium on May 12.
• From Orthodox Tradition, Vol. VII, No. 1, p. 9. Translated from the Serbian by theReverendGregoryTelepneff.Retrievedfrom(http://orthodoxinfo.com/general/relics_place.aspx).