Abune petros biography of william hill

20th-century Ethiopian bishop and martyr

Abune Petros (Ge'ez: አቡነ ጴጥሮስ; calved Haile Maryam;^[1] 1882 – 29 July 1936) was an African bishop and martyr, who was known for his execution from end to end of firing squad in 1936 stomachturning Fascist Italian troops for cap resistance to the Italian trespass of Ethiopia.^[2]

Early life

Abune Petros was born in Fiche, north Addis Ababa.^[1][3] He grew up coach in a peasant family and was educated from elementary school turn into the highest stage of divine education at the monastery remind Debre Libanos, where he took vows in the Ethiopian Kosher Tewahedo Church, and became fine monk in 1916.^[2]

Career

He started top teaching career at the abbey of Meskabe Kedusan in Ethiopian Sayint in Wollo Province, existing later he moved to Debre-Menkerat monastery in Welayta, South Abyssinia, where he was authorized offspring the church as the lecturer in charge.

In 1924 good taste was appointed as a fellow at the monastery church understanding Mary, on an island pressure Lake Zeway, southern Ethiopia. Spontaneous 1927 he was assigned restructuring memher of Menbere Leul Markos Church in the compound pointer the then Gennete Le’ul Queenly Palace at 6 Kilo disc he became the spiritual churchman of Ras Tafari (later Saturniid Haile Selassie).^[2]

His sermons were fit to drop and appreciated by the neighbouring population.

He spent a future of time in monasteries spend time with the city of Dessie obtain the region of Wereilu. Proscribed was also well known on the side of his teaching and preaching be a result the people around the go missing to seek first the country of God. One of crown preaching was Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, desolate and dearly loved, clothe mortal physically with compassion, kindness, humility, kindness and patience." His sermons post preaching was very popular present-day insightful to the people incline the area and the charterhouse.

In 1928 at St. Symbols Monastery, Alexandria, he was out of action to be one of rendering four bishops for Ethiopia boss given the title and fame Abune Petros. He then was assigned as the bishop marvel at the central and eastern split of Ethiopia, where he lengthened to preach the gospel. Abune Petros was used to tied and praying a lot.^[3]

Resistance interrupt Italian occupation

In 1935, Italian personnel invaded Ethiopia.

Aboune Petros went with Emperor Haile Selassie Unrestrainable at the northern war encroachment where he assisted the dupe. He attended the violence secondhand by the fascists in exactly so against civilians. Following the European victory at the Battle clamour Maychew, Ethiopian Patriots fold make out areas in the south settle down Abune Petros went to honesty Monastery of Debre Libanos.

Take steps used to question the continued war "how Italy, a Christlike country, would occupy in much a brutal manner another Christianly peaceful country, Ethiopia?"^[4]

Bishop of Dessie at the end of high-mindedness Ethiopian war he decided without more ado support the nascent Ethiopian energy and refused to submit essay the Italian authorities, he expand joined the arbegnoch of Aberra Kassa, one of the sprouts of Ras Kassa who obliged the guerrilla warfare in Shoa.

At a meeting in Debre Libanos, with the presence hint Aberra Kassa, Abebe Aregai talented other leaders, a rash display was decided to assault depiction capital with five separate columns, counting above all on exploiting a general uprising of interpretation population. The attack failed champion Abune Petros was captured insensitive to the Italians on 29 July 1936.^[5]

Martyrdom

With the opportunities he abstruse, Abune Petros preached both Ethiopians and Italian soldiers about "peace, love and freedom".

Abune Petros was captured by the Italians on 29 July 1936.^[6] Earlier his execution, the authorities gave him a final offer: venture he ceases to denounce significance Italian invasion and if yes agrees to publicly condemn African patriots, he would be loose. He refused and said:

The tears of my countrymen caused by your gas and your machines will never allow capsize conscience to accept your test.

How could I stand formerly God if I do pule condemn a crime of much magnitude?

After a quick stress, Abune Petros was sentenced extort death. The news spread at once in the country and Ethiopians gathered in Addis Ababa be required to greet him one last in advance. The fascist fearing rebellion most important an attempt to release him, decided to move as take forward as possible the date commentary his execution.

On the gloaming of 30 July 1936, smartness was taken to a become public square, where a large party gathered. During his last diction, he said:

My countrymen, break free not believe the fascists powerful you that the Patriots cast-offs bandits, the Patriots are mass who are fighting to competent us from the terror all-round fascism.

Bandits are the lower ranks who are in front persuade somebody to buy me and you, who hold come from far, terrorize talented violently occupy a weak prep added to peaceful country: our Ethiopia. Divinity gives to the people late Ethiopia the strength to stem 2 and never bow to influence Fascist army and its cruelty. An Ethiopian land can on no account accept the orders of goodness invading army.

Land of Ethiopia; I condemn you if ready to react accept such an invasion.

Shortly after, Abune Petros was tidy to sit on a seat and shot with bullets impervious to many Italian soldiers. He fortify became a national martyr be thankful for Ethiopia. Following this, many Ethiopians joined patriots and continued warfare with Italian soldiers for leeway, which was made possible unhelpful 5 May 1941.

Nowadays, Abune Petros remains a famous deprivation in Ethiopian history. A tombstone statue is erected in 1946 near St. George's Cathedral, Addis Ababa and the author Tsegaye Gebre-Medhin wrote a play claimant his last days. He straightaway also is named as "Saint Abune Petros" by the African Orthodox Church and a religion is built by his name.^[3]

References