Gabra Manfas Qeddus

Gabra Manfas Qeddus (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. [Donald N. Levine, "Wax and Gold: Tradition and Innovation in Ethiopia Culture" (Chicago: University Press, 1972), p. 73]

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. [In his book "Vita Omelia Miracoli" del Santo Gabra Manfas Qeddus" (Lovanii, 2003) Paolo Marrassini extensively treats diverse Ethiopian manuscripts dealing with Gabra Manfas Qeddus. Marrassini offers a translation of various texts about the life of this saint, a homily about his youth, and texts about the miracles Gabra Manfas Qeddus is said to have performed during his lifetime.]

Life in Egypt

Gabra Manfas Qeddus is reported to have lived 562 years, 300 of them in Egypt, where he was born 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 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 sixty lions and sixty 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 be compared to saint Francis of Assisi.

In Ethiopian iconography he is commonly depicted in full view standing upright, covered by his hair from top to toe, while lions and leopards rest at his feet. [David Buxton, "The Abyssinians" (New York: Praeger, 1970), p. 126]

Journeys to the Holy Land

Gabra Manfas Qeddus then set out for a journey into the Holy Land. He visited all the holy places, including Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth and the river Jordan. God incited him to go to Gabaon, where the devil assaulted him with wild beasts. Attacked by a serpent, Gabra won the battle, and the serpent was petrified by him. Gabra Manfas Qeddus begged the Lord to make him invisible, so as to prevent humans and supernatural beings alike from recognizing him and putting him to the test.

Life in Ethiopia

When he was 300 years of age the Lord ordered Gabra Manfas Qeddus to go to Ethiopia to preach to the people there. He travelled there on a winged chariot, accompanied by his leopards and lions. In Ethiopia he founded the monastery of Zuqualla, an extinct volcano, which is in the southern part of the former province of Shewa (now in Ada'a Chukala woreda). Zuqualla is an icon for the mountain of Tabor in the Holy Land.Fact|date=January 2008

Before establishing his monastery, some texts have Gabra Manfas Qeddus tempted by demons and devils for a period of hundred years, after which time the Lord exempted the Ethiopians from sin. Then Gabra left Zuqualla to wander to Kabd in order to stare at the heavens for seven months without blinking. The devil, in the shape of a raven, came to pick out his eyes. But Manfas Qeddus was cured by the archangels Gabriel and Michael, who brought him back to Zuqualla.

Some manuscripts recount a visit to heaven, where Manfas Qeddus was kissed by the Holy Trinity. While still on his way back from heaven, three other saints arrived in Kabd to visit him. Samuel of Waldebba, Anbas of Hazalo and Benyam of lower Begemder were all accompanied by lions. As soon as the lions and leopards of Gabra Manfas Qeddus noticed their fellow-creatures, though, they devoured them. Nothing was left of them when Manfas Qeddus eventually arrived on the scene. Gabra ordered his animals to spit out the remains of their meal, upon which the pets of the saints reappeared sound and healthy.

Three times a year Gabra Manfas Qeddus returned to the Holy Land to receive Holy Communion: on Christmas day, on the day of Jesus' baptism and on Good Friday. There he spoke Hebrew but also all the languages of the world, a characteristic associated with the story of the tower of Babel.

He died on a Sunday, on the 5th of Maggabit, while he was lying on the floor with his arms outspread, in the posture of Jesus on the cross.

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