Who Was St. Takla Haymanot?

St. Takla Haymanot’s life began with a miracle in Showa, Ethiopia, around 1215 AD, a special region in the Ethiopian Church, per The Churches of Ethiopia. His parents, Tsega Ze-Ab, a priest meaning “Grace of God,” and Sarah, called “God’s Choice” in tradition, prayed for a child. Kind and faithful, they gave to the poor and honored Archangel Michael through Christ with monthly feasts on the 12th, but felt sad because Sarah couldn’t have a baby, per The Life of Takla Haymanot.

Tradition says that an angel appeared in a dream, promising a son to shine for Christ. On 24 Tahsas, a date celebrated in the Ethiopian Church, their son was born and later named Zara Yohannes at his baptism. Some say, three days later, baby Takla showed God’s power, praising the Holy Trinity. At one and a half years old, during hard times with little food, tradition says Takla touched a plate of flour, and through Christ’s grace, it overflowed into twelve baskets, with oil, honey, ghee, and wine, enough for a big feast! The village praised God, seeing Takla as a special child, chosen to share Christ’s love.