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St Takla descended from an
ancient Hebrew family that lived in Ethiopia at a time when most Ethiopians
worshipped pagan gods and evil spirits. St Takla’s parents loved God and
were very kind to the ill and needy. They always asked the Archangel Michael
to pray for them, and they celebrated his feast on the 12th of every month
by feeding the poor. One day they saw a vision in which Archangel Michael
told them that they will have a child who will be blessed and who will
be like John the Baptist. St Takla was born on the 24th of Kiahk. He was
welcomed into the family by his father Tsega Ze_Ab and his Mother Sarah
(Egezi-Hareya was her Ethiopian name). He received the name Feseba Zion
which means the Joy of Zion.
The Holy Spirit descended upon Feseha Zion three days after his
birth and he opened his mouth and said " One is the Holy Father. One
is the Holy Son. One is the Holy Spirit. "
As a child Feseha Zion performed many miracles like increasing flour
and oil during a time of famine so his parents were able to make their
monthly aghabi for the needy in honor of St. Michael. Feseha Zion grew
to love and adore God. He was later ordained a deacon at the age of fifteen
by Bishop Kyrellos II.
When he returned home his parents chose a young lady for him to
marry but he refused .
Once he was hunting with his friends and Archangel Michael appeared
to him . St Michael told him to spend the rest of his life saving people's
souls and changed his name to Takla Haymanot which means "Paradise
of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."
When he returned home he gave his money to the church and the poor
and went to the monastery. He later became a priest. Takla preached to
people about God and a lot of people were converted to Christianity.
For a while St Takla was living in a monastery on a mountain and
to get down they used ropes . One day Takla was on the rope, and all of
a sudden it broke .Takla prayed to God and God sent Archangel Michael and
gave him six wings so he was able to go down the mountain.
St Takla then went to a place called Katata where the people worshipped
a tree. St Takla saw an evil Spirit in the tree and made it disappear in
the Name of Jesus Christ.
When St Takla was ninety nine (99) years old he became very sick.
He gathered all the monks and told them to live a Spiritual life. St Takla
departed on the 24th of Misra which is August 30th, 1711 A.D. Many miracles
have occured through the prayers and intersessions of this great saint
till this day.
May his prayers be with us all, and glory be to God
forever. Amen.
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Saints
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