Places of Yared's Spirit

Tana Kirkos Monastery, on an island in Ethiopia’s Lake Tana, is a sacred place where Tradition says St. Yared’s legacy endures. Tradition says he visited this peaceful retreat, teaching monks his zema chants and, some believe, aquaquam dances under shady trees. The monastery’s stone chapel echoes with his Deggua hymns, sung by robed singers swaying to Yared’s ancient rhythms. Some believe a monk, struggling with a chant, prayed at the altar and felt inspired by Yared’s intercession to sing confidently.

This holy site draws pilgrims inspired by Yared’s legacy in every note. Children at Tana Kirkos learn his Araray tone during feasts, their voices echoing by the lake. Some believe during a drought, monks sang Yared’s Ezel by the lake, and rain fell, as if through his intercession. For Orthodox youth, Tana Kirkos shows Yared’s music makes a distant island a place to worship God, through their songs to Christ.