Who Was St. Yared?

In his teens, St. Yared, still struggling with studies, prayed for purpose in Aksum. Tradition says one spring day, near Aksum, he rested under a tree, feeling lost, when God inspired his heart with a divine vision of melodies to praise God’s glory. These were zema, Ethiopia’s sacred chants, in three holy tones: Ge’ez, Ezel, and Araray, given to honor Christ. Yared ran to St. Mary of Zion, singing these chants, and priests stood amazed, praising God through every note.

This gift was for all Ethiopia’s faithful. Yared composed hymns like Deggua, weaving poetry and faith into music that enlivened worship. Tradition says his singing lifted weary souls, with Christ’s grace shining through his voice. Tradition says at a liturgy, a shy debtera faltered, but Yared joined in singing and his melody guided the boy’s voice to soar. Aksum knew Yared was chosen as God’s hymnographer, crafting chants that would echo across Ethiopia’s churches for centuries, bringing hearts closer to Christ.