Abuna Aregawi

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Abuna Aregawi (also called Za-Mika'el 'Aragawi) is a sixth century Syrian monk said to have founded the monastery Debre Damo, said to have been commissioned by Emperor Gebre Mesqel. He is one of the Nine Saints said to have furthered Christianity in Ethiopia (introducing it to the ancient Kingdom of Aksum).

Most information about him consists of legends. In one of these legends, after spending twelve years at the court of king Ella Amida II 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. [ [http://www.dacb.org/stories/ethiopia/za-mika'el%20_aragawi.html Biography of Zä-Mika'él 'Arägawi from the "The Dictionary of Ethiopian Biography"] ]

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." [David Buxton, "Travels in Ethiopia", second edition (London: Benn, 1957), p. 126]

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