High up in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, Debre Damo Monastery sits on a flat-topped cliff, reached only by climbing a rope about 50 feet. Founded around the 6th century by Abuna Aregawi, one of the Nine Saints who followed St. Anthony’s desert ways, it’s a monks’ home built to live like him—simple and close to God. Anthony never visited, but Ethiopian tradition calls him their desert father, believing his prayers protect this holy place. Monks pray all day, living with goats and water cisterns, trusting Anthony’s prayers guide them in the quiet, windy plateau.
His presence lives in amazing stories. An Ethiopian story tells of a monk whose rope nearly broke while climbing, but he asked for St. Anthony's prayers, and it held strong. Another story says bandits once tried to raid the monastery, only to see Anthony in a vision, standing guard, sending them running. Kids can picture it: a sky-high fort where Anthony’s like a guardian, keeping evil out and prayer in. Debre Damo is a place where his monk dreams live on, strong and joyful in Ethiopia’s wild hills.
Lesson 11 of 21
Want to track your progress? Log in and complete the quiz below!
Please log in to join the discussion.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
Please log in to take this quiz and track your progress through the lessons!
Log In