Nine Saints

The Nine Saints were a group of missionaries who were important in the spread of Christianity in what is now Eritrea and Ethiopia during the late 5th century. Their names were Abba Pantelewon, Abba Gerima (Issac, or Yeshaq), Abba Aftse, Abba Guba, Abba Alef, Abba Yem’ata, Abba Liqanos, and Abba Sehma. Although frequently described as coming from Syria, only two or three actually came from that province; according to Paul B. Henze, others have been traced to Constantinople, Anatolia, and even Rome.¹

The Ethiopian historian Tadesse Tamrat speculates that they may have been connected with the anti-Monophysite persecutions that followed the Council of Chalcedon. Tradition states that upon arrival they were welcomed by the Axumite king. Their activities spread Christianity beyond "a narrow corridor between Adulis and Aksum along the caravan routes."² Besides converting the local inhabitants to Christianity, they also founded a number of monastic houses that followed the rule of Saint Pachomius: Abba Alef founded the northernmost establishment at Bi'isa on the south bank of the Mareb River; Abba Yem’ata founded the southernmost one at Gar'alta ; Abbas Liqanos and Pantelewon are credited with establishing Pentalewon Monastery in Axum; Abba Aftse a foundation at Yeha; the foundation of the important monastery of Dabre Damo is attributed to Abba Aragawi; and Abba Gerima founded a monastic house north of Adowa.

References

1. Paul B. Henze, Layers of Time: A History of Ethiopia (New York: Palgrave, 2000 ISBN 0312227191), p.38.
2. Taddesse Tamrat, Church and State in Ethiopia, 1270-1527 (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1972 ISBN 0198216718), p.23.