Who Was St. Takla Haymanot?

Tradition says St. Takla Haymanot’s family faced hard times in Showa and Damot, where they lived, per the Ethiopian Synaxarion (24 Yekatit). Some say an unkind king, called Montemly, ruled a village called Talanece, closing churches and telling people to worship idols. During tough times, soldiers took Sarah, Takla’s mother, to keep her away from her family, dressing her in fancy clothes. Tsega Ze-Ab, Takla’s father, was heartbroken and fled to a lake to escape danger. As he asked for Archangel Michael’s prayers through Christ, tradition says the water hid him like a tent, and Michael promised safety for his future son, Takla, Ethiopia’s patron saint.

Meanwhile, Sarah prayed for help. Some say God’s power, through Archangel Michael, brought her safely to a church where Tsega prayed. At first, Tsega didn’t know her in her new clothes, but when she showed her face, they thanked God through Christ for her return, and the church rejoiced, per EOTC hagiography. This showed Takla’s family God’s love, preparing them for their holy child, called “The Wonderworker,” who shared Christ’s love with the world, celebrated on 24 Yekatit.