A long time ago, in the beautiful mountains of Ethiopia, lived a very special saint named Teklehaimanot. God gave him an amazing gift—wings, just like an angel’s! This is his incredible story.

There once was a kind priest named Tsegaze’ab (which means Gift of Faith) and his wife Sara, later called Egzi’e Haraya (Choice of God). They were loving and generous, always feeding the poor and celebrating Archangel Michael every month with delicious feasts.

But there was one thing missing—they had no children. Sara prayed day and night for a baby.

One day, soldiers stormed their town and took Sara away to give her to a cruel king. Tsegaze’ab ran and hid near a lake, crying to Archangel Michael for help. Suddenly, the lake wrapped around him like a glowing tent, and Michael himself appeared!

“Do not be afraid,” the angel said. “God will give you a special child.”

At that very moment, Sara was in the palace, praying. Just as the king tried to take her, thunder roared and lightning flashed. Archangel Michael swept down, lifted her in his wings, and carried her safely home. That night, Tsegaze’ab dreamed of the sun and stars dancing in their room. Michael’s promise was true—soon they would have a baby.

On December 24, 1192, Sara gave birth to a son in the land of Zorare. They named him Fisseha Tsion, “The Happiness of the Churches”, because he would bring joy everywhere he went.

From the very start, he was no ordinary baby. At only three days old, he spoke! “One is the Holy Father, one is the Holy Son, one is the Holy Spirit.”

Everyone gasped.

As he grew, miracles followed him. Once, when there was no food for the family’s feast, the little boy touched a small bowl of flour. Instantly, it filled with flour, oil, and honey—enough to feed the whole town!

He loved reading the Bible and singing songs to God. People said he shined with a blessing.

One night, the head of the church had a dream. Archangel Michael told him, “A boy is coming tomorrow. Make him a deacon—he is chosen by God.”

And so it happened.

As he returned home, a man hit him without reason. The boy prayed, and the man grew terribly sick. But the boy’s heart was kind—he prayed again, and the man was healed. Overjoyed, the man and his whole family became Christians.

When his parents later asked him to marry, he gently said, “No, I want to give my whole life to God.”

The boy grew into a priest, always praying, fasting, and helping people. When his parents died, he went deep into the forest to be with God.

There, something wondrous happened—God Himself appeared, surrounded by angels.

“From now on, you will not hunt animals but hunt souls for heaven,” God said. “Your new name is Teklehaimanot—the Plant of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

Teklehaimanot traveled far and wide, teaching people about God’s love. In one town, people worshipped a scary tree with an evil spirit. Teklehaimanot prayed, and the spirit cried, “Send him away! He is too powerful!” The tree even followed Teklehaimanot, its roots rumbling like thunder.

That day, more than 111,000 people became Christians, and those harmed by the spirit were healed through Teklehaimanot’s prayers.

Teklehaimanot kept healing and teaching. When a wicked king tried to harm him, miracles happened instead. The king’s spear froze his hand. A tree bent down to protect Teklehaimanot when he was hung upon it. Angels shone with light, and even the king became a Christian!

Later, Jesus appeared to Teklehaimanot and told him to go to a special monastery in the mountains. On the way, God sent a cloud to carry him and a fellow monk—what should have taken months took just two days!

But the most amazing miracle came when Teklehaimanot was leaving the monastery. The rope holding him down the mountain broke. Just then—six shining wings grew from his sides, and he soared safely to the ground.

Teklehaimanot lived simply in caves and deserts. He ate plants, drank drops of dew, and prayed day and night. Sometimes, he prayed standing on one foot for so long that his leg broke—yet he kept praying!

Many people came to learn from him. He built churches and monasteries where others could worship and grow close to God.

At the age of 99, God told Teklehaimanot it was time to come home. His cave filled with bright light and sweet fragrance. He saw God, Mary the Mother of Jesus, and his dear friend Archangel Michael. Angels carried his soul to heaven.

Later, when his body was moved to a church, miracles overflowed. Lamps lit themselves, and even a man with a broken leg was healed just by touching the saint’s body.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church remembers Saint Teklehaimanot every month on the 24th day, with great feasts on:

  • Tahisas 24 / January 3 – his birth

  • Megabit 24 / April 2 – his conception

  • Ginbot 12 / April 20 – the moving of his relics

  • Nehasie 24 / August 30 – his passing into heaven

Even today, thousands of believers travel to his monastery at Debre Libanos to celebrate his feast with joy and prayer.

Saint Teklehaimanot’s story shows us that when we love God and help others, wonderful things can happen. Who knows? With faith, kindness, and prayer, we too might soar like angels!

Glory be to God, who is praised in His saints. Amen.

St. Teklehaimanot