Page 126 - LD215 History of the Church in Africa A4 final

A History of the Church in Africa

In the fourteenth century, Tekla-Haymanot, a monk from the
southern region of Shoa, led a spiritual revival. As a boy, he had seen
the persecution of Christians by King Motalimi of Damot and witnessed
the burning of churches and Christian homes. Tekla-Haymanot became
a disciple of Lyasus-Moa, a devoted Christian. Moving north to Tigre,
he joined a monastic community and continued his spiritual journey
for salvation. After a period of time, he and his disciples returned to
Shoa, his homeland, where they met opposition, and Tekla-Haymanot’s
life was endangered by the pagan priests. Shaw records some of his
amazing experiences:

Hearing that King Motalimi lay sick and dying, the missionary
monk derided the witch doctors for not healing their king and
shamed them into a fresh attempt. When they were unable to
heal Motalimi they blamed their failure on the superior “magic”
of Tekla-Haymanot. Reading his cue, the saintly monk moved
to the king’s bedside. He offered a brief prayer in Christ’s name
and then touched the sick king. The king was healed, to the
amazement of all.

According to traditional sources, the restored king was so shaken
by this demonstration of the power of Christ that he proposed an
ordeal by fire to decide the religious loyalties of his people. A great
fire was built. Tekla-Haymanot and the witch doctors were told to
stand in the middle of the flames and pray for deliverance. The
traditional priests prayed to their gods while the monk prayed to
the Trinity. The pagan priests “were burnt up and became like
ashes.” Tekla-Haymanot emerged from the flames unscathed.
(1996, 102)

Stories like this helped Christianity spread southward. During
the reign of Amda Sion (A.D. 1314–1344), the church expanded
its influence and many pagans converted to Christianity. Zara-
Yaqob, the greatest of the Solomide kings, was crowned king in
Axum. Shaw adds:

In the young king’s mind the true Jerusalem was in Ethiopia,
home of the ark and of the true soldiers of the cross who had
fought successfully against Islam for centuries. Zara-Yaqob was

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