By T , Blogger of De Birahn Blogspot
08 June 2011
There was a king.
Yes in the longest linage of Ethiopian Orthodox Christian kings, there was one King that was the only one to be converted into Catholicism.
He was neguse negest (King of kings) of Ethiopia from (1606–1632). His son King Fasilades was a devote Orthodox Christian. Like all Ethiopian kings, he traces his dynasty to the Solomonic Dynasty.
He is King Susenyos.
I feel his conversion to Catholicism for one thing, and the period of his rule for some other reason blossomed amazing Ethiopian philosophers. Ethiopia’s and Africa’s first and principal philosopher, Zera Yacob (1599-1692) and his student and successor Walda Heywat, originated during King Susenyos’ reign.
Around or before his period, there was a little studied and told female ‘philosopher’ and saint; Saint Kirstos(Christ) Semra/Samra.
Although I have listened the name of Saint Kirstos Semra during preaching and prayers, I knew not so much of her roles and writings. Actually, I still don’t have her works at hand. But I have made enough analysis of secondary materials written about her.
I expect a small prayer book about her, Gedla Kristos Semra , published in 1976(Eth.C) by Tesfa G/Sillassie Printing Press to reach me in the next few weeks. I have also dispatched all my associates in Addis to be on the mission of finding me her writings. As soon as I get those primary materials; I will translate them into English and develop this article into a discursive research.
Diminutive Bio
Kidest (Saint) Kristos Semra started her saintly religious activity around 1420 A.M. (circa 1426 A.D. by the European Calendar) in Central Ethiopia. She stayed as a Nun in the Debre Libanos Monastery where she prayed day and night.
While another record has it as “Christos Samra was born in central Ethiopia at the end of the I3th century. She was married and had twelve children. She entered the great monastery of Debre Libanos in central Ethiopia in the year 1428. Later she moved to another monastery in north-west Ethiopia.”
Selamawit Mecca’s 2009 study on “ Women in Ethiopic Hagiographies”,attests that Saint Kristos Semra prayed most of her life and did lots of miracles. Any plea passed through her to God is almost certain to be answered, the Orthodox Church clergy teach.
Peace Philo ?
Saint Kirstos Semra, aka ‘’Mother of Peace’’ is famously known for her love, prayer and efforts for /to peace. She encouraged and taught people to pray for peace between God and the devil as she believed that the devil was the background of all evil things, and that there would only be peace in the world if there was peace between God and the devil. This view of her and her miracles and teachings, has grabbed the attention of some contemporary philosophers to study her further. Her prayer for peace and philosophical voyage of reconciling Satan and God makes her the only and special Saint, philosopher and thinker.
“She is also depicted as a mediator between Satan and God. She is certainly described as a human locus of supernatural power.” (Selamwit,2009)
Aklie Semaet in his note on byzcath.org forum said “According to her Hagiography she pleaded with God to forgive Satan. One reason is because of the consistency of praying for the forgiveness of everyone. The other reason is that she reasoned that Satan is the cause of all evil and reconciliation would bring an ever-lasting peace on Earth.”
“In the hagiography of Kristos Semra, we are told that she tried to make peace between God and the Devil. In order to do this, what she finds it more convenient is to go to the Devil by herself and try to negotiate with him. So she went to the Devil and tried to have a word with him. When she did that, he came to her and tried to put her into the hell. However, the archangel Michael came right away to rescue her. In doing that, not only Kristos Semra,… but also thousands of souls were brought out from hell with him.” Selamwit notes.
Professor Ephraim Issac, Ethiopia’s precious son and scholar (though he messed some of the politics in Ethiopia in the recent past), calls her “mother of peace” and Ethiopian female philosopher that in her observation that God and Satan should solve their quarrels through peaceful means, serving as examples for humans to do so with each other.
The feast of St. Kristos Semra is celebrated on May 12th in her Church in Lake Tana, Bahir Dar.
Recommendation
I suggest Ethiopian scholars to dig her miracles, hagiography and views and do a philosophical analysis. I, as a layman, can’t go into the more abstract aspects of philosophy and say this work of her was epistemological while that one was mythology or theological philosophy. I leave it for the experts. For those of you, in the areas of peace and reconciliation, conflict and security studies; Saint Kirstos Semra and her peace and reconciliation contemplation is a huge academic case to study.
Peace to our world! Peace to our soul and body!
it is good brother but more was need on the part of her work. I mean detail on her philosphy. but good not bad.
Gobezzzz1!!!! haaa did I say it right?
very interesting, a female and before zera yakob , can you please e-mail me at artphil at ymail dot com
It is a very interesting and educative work that you have done. I’m waiting for more informations about her and some others unknown saints that Ethiopia brought to the World .
Comments are closed.