Saint Takla Haymanot

Saint Takla Haymanot is one of the greatest saints of Ethiopia and is venerated in the Coptic Orthodox Church as well, reflecting the deep historic bond between the Coptic and Ethiopian churches. He was born around 1215 AD in central Ethiopia to a priestly family and from childhood showed extraordinary devotion to prayer and the Scriptures.

He was ordained a deacon and later a priest, then became a monk and traveled across Ethiopia, including to Egypt to visit the Coptic monasteries and learn from the monks there. For twenty-two years he traveled on foot through Ethiopian mountains and valleys, preaching the Gospel, baptizing, building churches, and healing the sick. He is credited with reviving and spreading Christianity across large regions of Ethiopia.

In his old age, he devoted himself to prayer. Church tradition remembers his extraordinary devotion, and icons often show him standing on one leg. Children can follow his love for God through prayer, kindness, and caring for the bodies God has given them. He died at an extremely old age in 1313 AD. He is venerated as the "Apostle of Ethiopia" and his feast is celebrated by millions of Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christians, as well as Coptic Christians who see him as part of the same great African Christian family.