MONASTIC LIFE (ገዳማዊ ኑሮ)

The birthplace of man. The Garden of Eden. The Land of Sheba. Ancient Christians traditions of worship and prayer.

 Ethiopians worshiped One God and accepted the Divinity of Christ centuries before those in Europe. Ethiopia is the home of thousands of churches, it is also a country which has numerous monasteries. The establishment of these monasteries started at the end of the 5th century with the arrival of the Nine Saints from Syria, Egypt and the Greco-Roman territory. These are the Fathers who at present are referred to in Ethiopia as the Nine Saints. Ethiopia once shared one Patriarch with Egyptian Copts, and therefore Ethiopians going to be ordained by the Coptic Patriarch would often stop at the desert monasteries on their way to Alexandria, and on their return home, built monasteries in the traditions of the Desert Fathers.

The oldest of these monasteries is Waldebba Monastery, which still today is the home of male and female monastics. Over the centuries the monks of Ethiopia have zealously guarded these ancient traditions, and even today the monastic communities are identical to those of the early desert fathers. You can find many men and women who remain unmarried all their lives in the hope of coming closer to God

* Like the first monasteries of Egypt, the monasteries of Ethiopia are built like ordinary villages, using the same materials as the poor people.

In Eritrea and Tigre it is rough, dry stone, and in the southern provinces mud and eucalyptus.

From one end of Ethiopia to the other the life of the monasteries is essentially the same, varying only in degrees of strictness.

Male only monasteries and women only monasteries are essentially the same, except that women cannot perform the Qidasse (Holy Prayers/Liturgy) and other priestly duties therefore Monk/Priests visit or may live nearby on the property to perform these duties.

They will eat and sleep separately from the female monastics.

+ + + I choose not to use the word "convent" because in the early days of the "Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers" the word monastery was used for the dwelling place of both men and women monastic's. I also do not use the word "Nun", I prefer the ancient ways, when there were just Monks ~ male and female monks.

(female ascetics in the East are called monks/monastics, Nun is a Western tradition)

Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only a hermit, or in the case of communities anything from a single building housing only one senior and two or three junior monks, to vast complexes and estates housing tens or hundreds.

The main purpose of a monastery is to be a place of prayer and prayer is simply communion with God.

~~Prayers

* The center of the monks’ life is prayer. Monks rise on most mornings at four O’clock and assemble in the church to chant the morning office (Sa’atat) which last two hours. On Sundays and Major Holy feast days the Sa'atat starts at midnight and then the Mass (Qiddase), finishes at dawn.

Unlike the large secular churches monks do not dance as the secular priests do. Some of the more ascetical monasteries do not even chant the office (Sa’atat) and the Mass (Qiddase), but prefer simply to say them.

At 6 PM the bell rings calling the monks to gather once again, for evening prayers about 2 hours. Apart from these common prayers a monk is expected to pray frequently in private. Each monk is free to choose their own method of private prayer, though certain ways are common. Some pray in the areas around the church building while others retire to their rooms or huts every one or two hours and say the Lord’s Prayer and the Canticle of St. Mary "Waddasse Mariam". Others repeat ” Eeyesus Kristos, please save me ” or ” Through Blessed Mariam, have mercy on me. etc. The Jesus Prayer is for Orthodox monks one of the most profound and mystical prayers and it is often repeated continually as a part of personal ascetic practice. Its practice is an integral part of the eremitic tradition of prayer. " Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner". Kyrie Eleison (My Lords have Mercy)

is said 41 times after prayer by the congregation but is said hundreds of times throughout the day by monks. Monks also spend long hours at night in silent contemplation. "Quiet Time".

~~Prayer Rope /Beads

Prayer ropes /beads are used to help concentrate the mind and keep count of prayers by monks.

When monks began going into the deserts of Egypt, it was their custom to pray the entire 150 Psalms every day, some of

the monks were unable to read, so they would either have to memorize the psalms or perform other prayers and prostrations

instead. Thus the tradition of saying 150 (or more) Jesus Prayers every day began. "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have

Mercy on me a sinner". (Ethiopian Monks still pray the entire 150 psalms daily in addition to their regular prayers.)

Monks would count their prayers by casting pebbles into a bowl, but this was cumbersome, and could not be

easily carried about when outside the cell.

The invention of the prayer rope is attributed to Saint Pachomius in the fourth century as an aid for illiterate monks to

accomplish a consistent number of prayers and prostrations in their cells. The use of the rope made it possible to pray

unceasingly, whether inside the cell or out, in accordance with Saint Paul's instruction to "Pray without ceasing In

everything give thanks: for this is the Will of God in Eeyesus Kristos concerning you." (I Thessalonians 5:17).

The western Rosary is said to have the same initial origin, however the Rosary did not come into existence until many years later.

When praying, the prayer rope is normally held in the left hand, leaving the right hand free to make the Sign of the Cross.

When not in use, the prayer rope is traditionally wrapped around the left wrist so that it continues to remind one to pray without

ceasing. If this is impractical, it may be placed in the (left) pocket, hung around the neck or suspended from the belt.

For humility: one should not be ostentatious or conspicuous in displaying the prayer rope for others to see.

The Father of Orthodox Monasticism, Saint Anthony the Great, originated the method of tying the prayer rope.

He started by tying a leather rope with a simple knot for every time he prayed Kyrie Eleison ("Lord have Mercy"), but the Devil would come and untie the knots to throw off his count.

He then devised a way-inspired by a vision he had of the Mother of God of tying the knots so that the knots themselves would constantly make the sign of the cross. This is why prayer ropes today are still tied using knots that each contain seven little crosses being tied over and over. The Devil could not untie it because the Devil is vanquished by the Sign of the Cross.

+ Today Prayer ropes may be found in knots of 33, 41, 50, 64, 100, 150, 200, even up to a 500 or more.

In Ethiopia the ropes are in 41 or 64 (knots or beads) instead of 33 and 50. Larger numbers are also used by monastics. 64 beads are in honour of the Virgin Mariam's age at her assumption, and 41 beads for the 41 lashes Christ received during His Passion.

  MORNING PRAYER

is designed to be prayed early for the coming of the True Light, the Lord Eeyesus Kristos.

It is mainly associated with the eternity of God, His incarnation, His resurrection from the dead.

It is intended to offer thanks to Him for having risen us from the sleep, beseeching Him to shine upon us,

enlighten our lives, and grant us the power of His resurrection.

It is important for all the faithful to pray each day, especially the morning prayers and evening prayers.

If one does not know how to pray, it's important to learn how to pray.

† INTRODUCTION TO EVERY HOUR

~ The prayers below are said at beginning of every prayer.

~ In addition Kyrie Eleison is said 41 times at the end of all prayers ~

I worship before the Cross of our Lord Eyesus Kristos, which was sanctified by His precious blood.

I cross my face and all over my body with the sign of the cross.

1. Besemai Ab. woWold. woMenfes Qidus, Ahadu Amlac, Amen

(In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen.)

2. Kyrie Eleison, Lord pity us, Lord spare us, Lord have Mercy upon us, and Bless us, Amen.

3. Sibhat le'Ab, woWold, woMenfes Qidus, yi'izeenee wezelfenee, wele'aleme alem, Amen.

(Glory be to the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, now and forever and world without end. Amen.)

4. Lord make us worthy to pray with all thanksgiving

5. We believe and offer our supplications unto Thy Holy Trinity. We denounce satan in the sight of the Holy Mother

Orthodox Apostolic Church; and in the presence of the Virgin Mariam whom is Zion for ever and ever. Amen.

6. NAKUTEKA EGZIO

O Lord, we give You thanks, and we adore and glorify You.

O Lord, we subject ourselves unto You, we put our trust in You,

We give thanks unto you, O Lord, and serve your Holy name,

We worship You, to whom all knees bow in worship and all tongues serve,

Thou are God of Gods, Lord of Lords, and Kings of Kings.

Thou are the creator of all who have bodies and souls.

We call upon you according to the teachings of your Holy Son, who said,

† THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us lest we fall into temptation,

deliver us and rescue us from evil,

For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,

 forever and ever. Amen.(( AMHARIC (phonetic transcription)  Abba-tachin Hoy, Besem-mai Yemit-nor,

Simih Ye-kedes, Mengistih Timta,

Fi-qadih Besem-mai, Inde-Honech

Indihun Bim-i-der Ti-Hun,

Ye'il-let In-jera-chi-nin, Sitene Za-rey

Bedela-Chin-nim Yi-qir Bel-len,

Eng-nam Yebedel-lu-nin Yi-qir Ende-minil,

Abetu - Wode Fe-te-nam At-tag-baan,

Ke-kif-fu Adin-nin Enjee

Mengist Yan-te Nat-tin-na

 Hail - im Mis-ganam Lezel’ alem-mu Amen ))

~ (Hail Mariam)

O Holy Virgin Mariam in the peace of the angel Gabriel

Peace be unto Thee.

Thou are Virgin in spirit as well as in body.

Oh Thou mother of perfect God;

peace be unto thee.

Blessed are thou among women,

and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb.

Rejoice oh Thou who art full of Grace

the Lord is with Thee

Ask and Pray for us to Thy Beloved Son

Eeyesus Kristos the Lord and Saviour

that He may have Mercy upon our souls

and forgive us our sins. Amen.(( AMHARIC (phonetic transcription)

Ime-bea-ta-chin Qi-dist Dingil Maryam Hoy,

bem-mel-aku be-qidus Gabri-el Selamta,

Selam in-ilish-alem,

Bay-ha-sab-e-shim dingl nesh,

Bay-se-ga-shim dingl nesh,

Yea-che-na-fee ye-ig-zi-abhear inat Hoy,

Selamta Le-an-chee yi-ge-bashal,

ke-se-toch hulu tele-ytesh,

anchi yete-ba-re-kish nesh, yma-he-tay-nish fray

yete-bareke new, segan ye-tem-el-ash Hoy,

des yebilish, ig-zi-abhear keachi gar new-ina

ket-tay-we-da-dew Li-ji-shi,

kegetachin, ke-mediha-nee-ta-chin,

ke-Eeyesus Kristos Zend,

Y-kirtan lemig-ni-lin, Hat-tee-a-ta-chin,

yasteseriy-lin zend, lezel' alem-mu. Amen

To Him let us give glory, giving thanks to God the Most High, and let us give thanks to His mother and His Honorable Cross.

Peace be unto you, while honoring you our mother Mariam, we beseech you. We trust you to save us from evil beasts.

For the sake of Hannah, thy mother and father Iyakem. O Virgin Mariam, today bless our congregation.

† TSELOTE EGZITENA MARIAM ~ (Prayer of Virgin Mariam) ~ Saint Luke Chapter 1 verses 46 ~ 55

And the Virgin Mariam said, my soul does magnify the Lord.

My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; for behold from

henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty has done to me great things;

and Holy is His name. And mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.

He has showed strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down

the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of His mercy. As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever and ever. Amen

† THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Let us give thanks to the beneficent and merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Eyesus Christos, for He has covered us,

helped us, guarded us, accepted us unto Him, spared us, supported us, and brought us to this hour.

Let us also ask Him, the Lord our God, the Almighty, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.

O Master, Lord, God the Almighty, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Eyesus Kristos, we thank You for every condition,

concerning every condition, and in every condition, for You have covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us unto You, spared us,

supported us, and brought us to this hour.

Therefore, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of mankind, to grant us to complete this holy day, and all the days of our life,

in all peace with Your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan, the counsel of wicked men, and the rising up of enemies,

hidden and manifest, take them away from us, and from all Your people, and from this holy place that is Yours.

But those things which are good and profitable do provide for us; for it is You Who have given us the authority to tread on serpents

and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, by the grace, compassion and love of mankind, of Your Only-Begotten Son, our

Lord, God and Savior, Eyesus Kristos, through Whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto You, with Him,

and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, Who is of one essence with You, now and at all times, and world without end. Amen.

† PSALM 50 ~ (Psalm 51 in the King James version English Bible)

1. Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your loving kindness;

According to the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3. For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me.

4. Against Thee and Thee only I have sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight:

That Thou might be justified when Thou speakest, and be blameless when Thou judge

5. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin did my mother conceive me.

6. Behold, Thou desire truth in the inward parts: And in the hidden part Thou shall make me to know wisdom.

7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

8. Make me to hear joy and gladness; That the bones which Thou has broken may rejoice.

9. Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

10. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

11. Do not cast me away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

12. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation: and uphold me with Thy generous Spirit.

13. Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways; and Sinners shall be converted unto Thee.

14. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness.

15. O Lord, open my lips; and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.

16. For Thou desire not sacrifice, else I would give it: Thou do not delight in burnt offerings.

17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart O God Thou will not despise.

18. Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion; Thou build the walls of Jerusalem.

19. Then shall Thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,

with burnt offering and whole burnt offerings: then they shall offer bulls upon Thy altar.

† THE CREED (Prayer of Faith Confession) (The Creed/Prayer of Faith)

† THE LORD'S PRAYER including Holy Virgin Mariam (Emabeatachin Qidus dingl Mariam Hoy)

† In the name of Mary, Your mother Lord have mercy on us (41 times)

† KYRIE ELEISON (My Lord have Mercy) is said 41 times in honour of the 36 lashes that Christ received during His Passion, plus the

nails in each hand (2), plus feet (2) and the spear in His side (41). We concentrate our mind on the suffering He withstood for us.

~ In addition to these, Monastics say many more prayers and Psalms daily. ~

                                   Throughout the day the prayers below are also repeated.

~ Alador አላዶር (the piercing on the right hand),

~ Danat ዳናት (the piercing on the left hand),

~ Adera አዴራ (the piercing on right foot),

~ Rodas ሮዳስ (the piercing on the left foot)

~ Sador ሳዶር (the piercing on the ribs by the lancet) ~ 41 times

~ Oh God ኦ አምላክ ~ 41 times

~ Eyesus Kristos (Jesus Christ) please save me ኦ ክርስቶስ ~ 41 times

~ Save us and deliver us by your mercy አድኅነነ እም መአትከ ወሰውረነ በምኅረትከ በእንተ ማርያም ወላዲትከ ~ 41 times

~ Hear us! Our God and Savior ስምአነ አምላክነ ወመድኃኒነ ~ 41 times

~ Eloi la'ma Sa-bach'tha-ni ? OR My God why has Thou forsaken me? ~ 41 times

(“Eloi” is the name Christ called His Father in Mt. 27:46)

~ Yae! Yae! Yae! ( “woe to me”) My God see me! ~ 41 times

~ OH God according to Your Mercy and not according to my sin ~ 41 times

~ Lord remember us in Your Kingdom ~ 41 times

~ Ig-zee-'o tesahalene ( "Lord have mercy upon us" ) ~ 41 times

~ Abba-ta-chin Hoy (Oh Our Father) ~ 41 times

~ Kyrie Eleison ( My Lord have Mercy) ~ 41 times

† If you would like to add these prayers to your daily life, my advise is to begin slowly, and repeat a few until you can say them as easily as breathing. Don't be too concerned with being perfect, the idea is to simply concentrate the mind and communicate with God.

~ I find it easier to always keep the Prayer Bead wrapped around my left wrist, with the excess crossed over the thumb with the Cross resting in my palm; so it's easy to slip on and off to pray silently at anytime and anywhere. I often even sleep with them on.

The ones I use has round beads divided at every tenth bead by a "Flat Metal Cross", or by a "Flat Red Bead" (Red signifies Christ's Blood that was spilled to save us). This makes it easy to count with the Prayer Beads without looking or while inside the pocket discreetly, or to find the point to interject "Lord Save Me" at certain intervals.

~ ~ ~ I usually say "Lord save me" at each "Flat Bead" , and also at the Cross at the end; or if I am in private I also Prostrate and

say "Lord Eeyesus Kristos, Son of God have Mercy on me a sinner".

~~~ It's also a good practice to prostrate at the beginning of and end of each set of 41 or 64; Still keep in mind that the most

important thing is to simply speak to God by praying.

† THE GRACE OF GOD BE WITH YOU ALL †

 MONASTIC LIFE ~part 2

In Orthodoxy a monk's primary task is the life of prayer, and it is through this that he serves others. It is not so much what a monk does that matters, as what he is. The monks by their withdrawal from society into the desert fulfilled a prophetic and eschatological ministry in the life of the Church. They reminded Christians that the kingdom of God is not of this world.

From its very beginnings the monastic life was seen, in both east and west, as a vocation for women as well as men, and throughout the ancient world there were numerous communities of nuns.

Monasticism is an inner and hidden life. It is absolute and the most radical expression of Christianity as a ‘narrow way’ leading to the Kingdom of heaven. Monastic detachment and concentration into oneself, however, does not imply egoism or the absence of love for one’s neighbour. Being outside of worldly vanity, a monk does not forget his fellow humans, but in the silence of his cell prays for them.

~~~ Daily Life

* Apart from the obligations of prayer and work, a monk is free to use their time as they thinks fit. Monks spend

many of their leisure hours chatting with each other. Each monk has their own room, in which he or she may have a few luxuries such as a metal bed, a small bedside table and lamp, a locker or cupboard/shelf, a drinking gourd, a bowl for food and a prayer book.

The pupils, on the other hand, have no privacy, three or four sharing one room, and are allowed no extra possessions.

(At some stricter monasteries all monks sleep on skins on the ground and owns only a drinking gourd and a plate)

There is a common kitchen where the food is cooked over an open fire, a granary and an assembly hall. Dominating the whole is the church, and this alone is built in expensive materials, such as cut stone and mortar or, in modern times, brick and concrete. Next to it is the sacristy where the vestments and sacred objects are kept. Behind the Church is the Bethlehem where the bread and wine for the Holy Eucharist (Lords Supper) is prepared.

~~~ Eating

 * In contrast to the Western monastery where the monks always eat in common, in Ethiopia they can eat separately.

After mid-afternoon prayers in the assembly hall the daily food is brought from the kitchens and distributed.

The monks can take it to their rooms and eat it as and when they please.

The food is generally "monks bread", or enjera and Shero or boiled beans, with a cup of tea (chai) or, for sick monks, a cup of milk.

In stricter monasteries the bread and beans are served on alternate days. A few monasteries, such as Assabot and Zuquala, allow the monks to grow their own vegetables near their huts which they can cook themselves to supplement the diet.

Monks keep all the normal fasts of the Church, and add many private fasts of their own. On major festivals at some monasteries the monks have stewed meat, while others always observe a vegetarian diet and some even only eat uncooked vegetables and on these occasions they eat together in the assembly hall. The pupils and visitors receive the same food as the monks.

~~~ Livelihood

* The monasteries all own sufficient land for the monks, needs. Although manual work is not considered essential in the monk’s life, as it is in the contemplative communities of Europe, the stricter monasteries such as Debre Libanos of Ham and Waldebba regard it as important that the members plough the land themselves. At harvest time all able-bodied monks and pupils are working in the fields, and only the old and lame remain behind. However in most monasteries a proportion of the land is rented to peasant farmers in return for a share of the crop.

Almost all monasteries trade with the local people, and every week on market-day a group of monks go to the nearest town carrying produce from the monastery lands. In exchange they buy soap and candles and any other supplies they may need such as building materials etc. Some monasteries purposely grow fruit and vegetables which they never eat themselves to sell at the market.

Surplus food is also used to feed the poor in the area.

~~~ Clothing

The style of gown worn by the monastics are the same, with very slight difference in

the style worn by female monastics, but for the most part they are the same.

The hats worm however are different.The design on the top of the hat worn signifies

whether a man is a simply a monk or a monk priest. It also signifies the rank or hierarchy of a monk.

(In a church outside a monastery a married priest wears a very different hat)

A monastery may have their own specific color that is their "uniform" which identifies a

monk as belonging to that particular monastery and is worn for official occasions as well

as anytime. That being said, all colors can be worn by all monastics.

White is always worn on Easter Sunday, and if taking communion and black is always

worn on Holy Friday and is the "uniform" color of monks in Jerusalem.

A High Rank Monk Priest or Abuna wears a special netela over their head or shoulders it has a dark red stripe.

People, man or woman, who leave home when they are old, to live as monks and to labor in monasteries, baking bread or

caring for the household needs of the priests, wear a simple, full-cut kemis of the coarsest material, without ornamentation.

A croched hat or head-cloth is wrapped about their cropped heads, but thay do not get the Ciof (hat) of someone who have

lived their life as a monk/nun in the monatery.

The older Emahoys / nuns and the hermits carry their prayer sticks all the times for support.

Though it may not be visible, a cross is always worn around their neck.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a multitude of functionaries and the priest, deacon or nun is a familiar sight,

especially in the city, where there are large churches and religious centers, Priests and deacons dress simply,

in a long cotton gown that is a variation on the kemis, a cloche-style hat, draped with cloth, called a kob.

A higher rank such as an Abuna (Bishop) wears a cloak of heavy material with a stiff stand-up collar, called a kaba.

A fly-whisk, hand-cross, or prayer stick (used for support during the long church services) may be carried.

~~~ Hierarchy of the Monastery

* + Abba Mamhir ~ Teacher or Head Monk

Each monastery is entirely independent in administration, both of other monasteries and of the local bishop. The head of the monastery in all temporal matters is the Abba Mamhir. He does not directly order the monks as the abbot in the West does, but he appoints three senior officers to govern each area of the community’s life.

The main job of the Abbe Minet is not in the monastery at all, but is as ambassador to the outside world.

(Female monastics live identical ascetic lives to their male counterparts and are therefore also called monks, and their community is likewise called a monastery; The Emahoy/ Head Mother has absolute rule within her monastery).

The Mamhir is elected by the monks of his monastery for life or until he desires to leave the post. On the whole he is an untypical monk since he is chosen for his worldly wisdom, and many are quite young, some apparently in their early thirties. There is no special ceremony for the installation of a new Abbe Minet, but prayers for his guidance are added to the morning Sa'atat, and at midday there is a feast in his honour. Occasionally an Abbe Minet is promoted to the episcopate.

+ The Afa Memhir, (person who transmit order) is the Mamhir’s deputy and he has charge of the monastery when the Abbe Minet is away. The Afe Memhir keeps the general discipline of the community, and he has the authority to judge and to punish.

+ The Magabi, governs the whole livelihood of the community and assigns each person to his task. He decides when the seed should be sown and the grain harvested, and he ensures that the food is distributed fairly each afternoon. He does not have his own hut, but generally sleeps in the granary to guard against thieves.

+ The Gabaz, maintains the church and sacristy. The Gabaz has under his direct charge an

+ Ackabeit who guards the sacristy, sleeping there at night, and

+ A Bell-Ringer who calls the monks to prayers.

In large monasteries, such as Debre Bizen and Debre Libanos of Shoa, the Abbe Minet also appoints two or three older monks as advisers. They have no authority of their own, but they often accompany the Abbe Minet to meetings in town.

Most monasteries, however, are small and intimate to make such advisers unnecessary.

+ Qomas ~ The Spiritual Father

The spiritual head of the monastery is the Qomas. He is appointed by the bishop as his representative, and is often an older monk known for his exceptional sanctity. He does not guide the individual monk’s inner life, as the Spiritual Director in the West does,

but he gives advice when it is asked for, arbitrating in any conflicts in the community.

As one monk described it: ” While the Afe Memhir punishes by the rod, the Qomas punishes by prayer.” Large monasteries

may have more than one Qomas, and new bishops are appointed from the Qomases.

Hermits

* Though it has long since disappeared in the West, the hermitical life is still widespread in Ethiopia.

The cenobitical monks and the ordinary people regard the hermitage as Man’s highest abode on earth,

and often monks seem fearful at the possibility of God calling them to it. In almost every monastery

there are a number of monks – perhaps one tenth of the total-who confine themselves to their cells.

They are described as ” the monks who never see the sun.” They have no responsibilities within the

community and do not attend the daily common prayers. Food is brought to their huts each day by a

single monk permanently designated to the task, and the hermit only emerges for the Mass in church

on Sundays and feast days.

Usually their cells are within the monastery compound, though sometimes they are a short distance

away:at Debre Damo, for instance, hermits can be seen in apparently inaccessible caves in the sheer

cliff beneath the monastery. Other monks or lay people can visit them (if they can reach their cell), and

many of the rulers of Ethiopia, including the Emperor himself, frequently seeked the advice of these

hermits on both spiritual and temporal matters.

There are countless holy men (Ba’atawi) living in remote forests and caves throughout Ethiopia.

They are vegetarians and live only on the wild fruits and herbs which Nature provides. A few of these holy men are ordained monks who have left their communities, but mostly they are lay people. As another monk puts it, ” God has called them to holiness from nothing, as Christ called Peter and Paul.”