IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD AMEN!

The Ark of Noah Zege Ura Kidana Mhiret Monastery
                       

Ze- Gabrielwa

Lake Tana which is found in the western part of the country is the largest lake in Ethiopia with an area of 3600 square kilometers. On the lake there are 37 islands and 29 monasteries most of which had been founded between the 11th and 16th centuries. One among these Monasteries is Ura-kidan Mihiret which is built on a peninsula called Zege or Zeghie located at about an hour distance by boat from Bahir Dar. The Monastery can also be reached on land through motor cars by traveling a distance of 35 kilometers.

Ura kidane Mihiret is one of the oldest Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Monastery which was founded in the 14th century. It is believed that the monastery is established during the reign of Atse Adiam seged Eyassu. The architectural design of Ura kidanemihiret is circular surrounded by rectangular long wooden Pillars. Two independent buildings are found near the church. One of them is used for keeping various spiritual relics and the other is a dining house for monks since the time when its establisher Abba Yohannes was the Abbot of the Monastery. The Monastery administers Sellassie Church (Holly Trinity) and Azua Mariam Church (St.Virgin Mary) which are found in its vicinity.

Abba Nahom is believed to be the ancient founder of Zeghie Monestery. The hagiography of Abba Nahom goes back to the 4th century at the time of the brother kings Abrha and Asebeha. During that time Abba Nahom was living in the Holy land spending his time in prayers at a particular Island called “Zigag”. There the angel of the Lord came to him and told him to go to Ethiopia. Abba Nahom accordingly left for Ethiopia, when he reached there the Holy sprit brought him at the shores of Lake Tana. Hence, the name “Zeghie” is given to the area to remember the Island of Zigag.

While in his prayer in Zege Abba Nahom (before the birth of Abba Samuel of the Waldba) saw 7 crowns descending at Waldba Monastery from heaven. When he saw this, he began praying in front of the icons of St. Virgin Mary so that he be allowed to go to Waldeba. While in this prayer the icon of St. Virgin spoke to him saying: “Abba Nahom you must not worry. Your place zeghie is blessed like Jerusalem.” The, Our Holy mother showed him 12 crowns descending on Ura Kidane Mihiret from heaven. In addition, Abba Nahom was blessed to see in vision our lord Jesus Christ with his holy mother at a place called “Asmech”.

In addition he also saw a vision of a monk, who would come to serve the monastery following his footsteps. After telling these miracles and prophesies that happened in his life he passed away quietly at Zeghie and was buried their. The monk that was said to come was Abba Yohannes.

Abba yohannes’s father is called yemane Birhan while his mother was named Hamerework. They used to live in showa. As The boy yohannes grew left his parents and started to learn Church education. Latter on he decided to live the rest of his life in a Monastery. After staying for 15 years with Abba Tsega Eyesus and learning the principles of Monk hood in Ethiopian Orthodox Church, he was ordained a monk. Thereafter, he spent about seven years in wakiba monastery helping the elderly fathers and healing sinners with prayers.

An angel of the lord went to Abba yohannes and told him to go the Holy land. Accordingly, he stayed in Jerusalem for a number of years. During his stay, he visited the birthplace of Jesus Christ (Bethlehem), the place of his crucifixion (cyrene) and his burial place Golgota (meaning the skull). During his stay their, he served many monasteries in Jerusalem.

During his return trip to Ethiopia, Abba yohannes stayed at the Asqetes Monastery in Egypt. In there he met a 500 years old holy father called Abba Entons II. As he blessed him , he recognized him by his name and said; “Welcome Abba Yohannes”.

Abba Yohannes become astonished about the event as to how he knew his name. He asked him how he knew his name.

Abbo Entons repied saying: “Some 500 years ago St. Virgin Mary appeared to me and gave me arks named after Silassie (Trinity) Eyesus (Jusus), Debre Mitmaq, and tabote kidane kidanemihiret. She showed me your face and ordered me to give the arks to an Ethiopian monk by the name yohannes. These arks have been waiting for you all this Years”.

Thus, with a great surprise about the miracle of God, Abba yohannis received the arks. Then, while he was receiving blessings from Abba Entons II, he saw a stony place full of light in vision located in a district known as Mecha  at place called Guta in the northwestern part of Ethiopia,. Then, the angel, Urael led him to this place. The landlord of this place was called “Wura”. He decided to give a piece of land to Abba yohannes after he welcomed him. On this plot, Abba yohannes constructed a Church and placed the ark of Tabote Eyesus. In remembrance of the good deeds of the landlord, he named the monastery as “Wura Eyesus”.

Abba Yohanns while he was praying at the wura Monastery, he saw a light standing like a pillar at Zeghie, a peninsula on the shore of lake Tana. Later on he was led by the angle St. Urael to Zege carrying the remaining arks (named after the Holy trinity, Kidane Mirite and Debre Mitmaq) along with Abba phanuel and 300 other monks to Zeghie. In 14th century, he built a church in that peninsula and placed Tabote kidane Mihirete. He also funded a Church for Tabote Selassie (Holly Trininty) at a distance about forty five minutes walk from Ura- Kidane Mhirit Monastery. The last ark Debre Mitmaq was placed at Azeuwa Mariam, about an hour walk from Ura-Kidane Mihiret monastery.

While there the a governor called Dejazmach Woregna during the reign of king Adiam-seged-Eyasu, came to Abba yohannes to receive a blessing before he went to war. After welcoming the governor Abba Yohannes told him that he would gain a victory over his enemies. During this time the construction of wura kidane Mihiret monastery was on the verge of completion. However, still the painting still remained undone and Abba Yohannes asked the governor for financial help to finish the painting. He also requested him to pass this message to the king. In order to that he remebers the message Abba Yohannes gave him his own jar by which he used to fetch and drink water. As foretold by Abba Yohannes, the governor gained a total victory. However, when he came back home with out passing the message of Abba Yohannes to the king. On his journey the governor had to cross a river called Megech. After reaching at the river, his horse became unwilling to cross the river. Despite the continuous trial by his loyal servants, the horse was unwilling to obey.

In the mean time the governor was thirsty and ordered one of his servants to bring him water from the river. The servant brought him water in the jar given by Abba yohannes. He then remembered the message and started his journey back to Gonder. There the governor passed the message and told the entire story to the king. The king pledged a lot of money for the completion of the church and instructed him the buy a plot of land to be used as a property for the Church. Accordingly, the governor gave the money to Abba Yohannes and bought a land for the church.

Knowing the time has arrived for his departure; Abba yohannes called his disciple Abba phanuel and told him that God has chosen him as his successor, to administer the monastery and to finish the paintings in the church. The anniversary commemorated for Abba Yohannes is always remembered on the 1st of November.

Accordingly, Abba phanuel administered the Monastery in accordance with the faith and principles of his predecessors. Among other things, the painting was completed during his time. King Tekele Haymonot of Gojjam has renovated the paintings in 1904 E.C. In order to remember the name of the angle Ureal, the monastery has been named as “Ura kidane Mihiret” The Church has a number of sacred items and other relics given by various members of the royal family and the nobility.   

 Glory to God and his mother holy Mary Amen

May God Bless us. Amen!!