| Ethiopia has
a special history, because it is one of oldest chiristian
countries in the world. there were small groups of christians
there from the very earliest times /i.e from 34 A.D./ as it
is wiritten in the bible Acts 8 ¸ 26-39.
In the
fourth century, two young syrian boys landed on the
red sea coast of Ethiopia . The inhabitants captured
them, and took them to the king They became his trusted
servants, and when he died, they looked after his infant
son.
The new king grew up
to be a christian, and from that time un to recent years
christianity has been the state religion and churches
has flourished throughout the land. |
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The new king grew up to be
a christian, and from that time un to recent years christianity
has been the state religion and churches has flourished throughout
the land.
Seven handred years ago, there
lived a man called saga zeab. He was rich, but he was holy
too, and an interesting priest. This hymns were the sweetest,
his prayers the humblest and his offering the most generous
in all Ethiopia .
Egzie Haraya, his wife, Was
an excellent house wife. Her pancates were the finest, her
wooven cloth the softest, and her spicy stav the tastiest
in all Ethiopia . Her husband loved her dearly, for she was
beautiful and modest too
But one thing made this perfect
couple sad. There fine big house was quiet and empty. They
did not have a child.
Every year Egzie Haraya gave
food to the poor on the feast of St. Michael the Arch Angel,
and prayed for ababy like Hannah the mother of Samuel /1sam.1
¸ 13/ but nothing happened.
Now there was in the country
near by a wicked king called Matalome Strong and bold, cruel
and ruthless, he rampaged about, and struck terror through
the land.
One day, king Matalome and
his horsemen came to zorare, the town where saga zeab lived.
The king is coming to kill you and all you have saga zeab's
friends told by "you must run away".
So saga zeab ran as fast
as he could for the lord Jesus Christ has taught that "when
they persecute you in this city, flee ye in to an other /Mtt.
10 ¸ 23/. But he was not quiet fast enough.
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Loud cries followed him.
Hooves thundered behind him spears flew past his head.
The horsement came nearer and nearer. Saga Zeab came
to the edge of the lake, and pllenged straight in.
The water was cold and deep saga Zeab
sank down in to the depths this lungs were bursting
and he thought he would drawn.
Then, just when he could swim no more,
he came to a miraculous chamber of air |
under the water and there
before him was the Arch Angel Michael "Come in saga Zeab,"
said st. Michael. Saga Zeab went in and he stayed for three
days with the Arch Angel, and he fold him all his troubles
as Ovid the prophet said "The Angel of the Lord encampth
round about them that fear him, and delivereth them"
/psm 34 ¸ 7/.
Do not be sad, said Arch
Angel, "for you will have a son. He will be great, and
holy, and alight to all the world. Ofcourse, Saga Zeab worships,
the one that" the maketh the barren woman to keep house,
and to be a joyful mother of children /Psm.113 ¸ 9/.
Then the Arch Angel and the
man swam up through the water of the Lake and the Arch Angel
showed Saga Zeab the way to go home.
But Saga Zeab come near to Zorare, his heart
missed a beat for he saw blackened ruins where houses and
churches had been, and empty streets, where people and animals
used to throng.
"My wife ! thought Saga Zeab. "Where
is my wife?" He reamed through the ruins and called for
her.
"Wife ! " Dear wife
"where are you?" But only crows & vultures squawked
in reply.
Meanwile, Egzie Haraya had
been carried off by the capitains of wicked king Matalome's
horsemen. The captain saw how lovely she was, and their hearts
were sent on fire.
"Her hair is like the
tendrils of twining plants," said one let me take care
of her.
"Her eyes sparkle with
a bright, shining light, said one let me take care of her
on my mule" said the other.
"Her neck is like a
collar of gold," said a third "Let me cover her
with my cloak.
The king heard how beautiful
and modest Egzie Haraya was. "I will marry her myself,"
he thought.
He did not care that Egzie
Haraya was married already. He did not care that she sat all
day, crying for her own dear husband. He sent her declicious
for to eat. She refused to eat it. He sent her beautiful clothes
to wear. She would not put them on.
"Enough of this ! "
cried the king she must do as she is told his servants dressed
the weeping lady in time colored skills and covered her head
with a gold embroidered veil.
"To the temple ! cried
the king," and let the wedding proceed ! " ......
To be continue.
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