Places of Yared's Spirit

Aksum, St. Yared’s hometown, resounds with his legacy in its ancient churches, like St. Mary of Zion, where he first sang for Christ. Born around 505 AD, Yared grew up hearing bells and prayers in this city of carved obelisks and faithful crowds. Aksum's churches still echo with his Me’eraf and Zimare chants, passed down by debteras honoring their hometown saint. Tradition says a child lost in Aksum’s market prayed to Yared and felt guided by his intercession to Zion’s steps, safe at last.

These churches carry Yared’s legacy of worship. During Timkat, singers fill Aksum’s streets with Ge’ez tones, and children join in, waving sticks like sistrums. Some believe a weary priest, faltering mid-liturgy, felt inspired by Yared’s intercession to finish Deggua. For Orthodox children, Aksum’s churches show Yared’s songs make stone walls a place of worship, where Christ is worshipped through every voice.