Abune Petros remains a famous figure in Ethiopian history and is revered as a national martyr. His unwavering commitment to his faith and his people, even in the face of death, has made him an enduring symbol of Ethiopian resistance against oppression.
Memorial statue of Abune Petros near St. George's Cathedral, Addis Ababa
Early Life and Religious Career
Abune Petros began his teaching career at the monastery of Meskabe Kedusan in Amhara Sayint in Wollo Province. Later, he moved to Debre-Menkerat monastery in Welayta, South Ethiopia, where the church authorized him as the teacher in charge.
In 1924, he was appointed as a professor at the monastery church of Mary, on an island in Lake Zeway, southern Ethiopia. His sermons were known and appreciated by the local population.
He spent a lot of time in monasteries around the city of Dessie and the region of Wereilu. He was also well known for his teaching and preaching to the people around the region to seek first the kingdom of God. One of his preaching was Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." His sermons and preaching was very popular and insightful to the people in the area and the monastery.
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In 1928 at St. Marks Monastery, Alexandria, he was nominated to be one of the four bishops for Ethiopia and given the title and name Abune Petros. He then was assigned as the bishop of the central and eastern part of Ethiopia, where he continued to preach the gospel.
Resistance Against Italian Occupation
Unfolding Martyrdom: The Profound Legacy of Patriarch Abune Petros.
In 1935, Italian troops invaded Ethiopia. Aboune Petros went with Emperor Haile Selassie I at the northern war front where he assisted the wounded. He attended the violence used by the fascists in particular against civilians.
Emperor Haile Selassie I, with whom Abune Petros served during the war.
Following the Italian victory at the Battle of Maychew, Ethiopian Patriots fold to areas in the south and Abune Petros went to the Monastery of Debre Libanos. Bishop of Dessie at the end of the Ethiopian war he decided to support the nascent Ethiopian resistance and refused to submit to the Italian authorities, he then joined the arbegnoch of Aberra Kassa, one of the sons of Ras Kassa who directed the guerrilla warfare in Shoa.
At a meeting in Debre Libanos, with the presence of Aberra Kassa, Abebe Aregai and other leaders, a rash plan was decided to assault the capital with five separate columns, counting above all on exploiting a general uprising of the population.
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With the opportunities he had, Abune Petros preached both Ethiopians and Italian soldiers about "peace, love and freedom".
Capture, Trial, and Martyrdom
Abune Petros was captured by the Italians on 29 July 1936. Before his execution, the authorities gave him a final offer: if he ceases to denounce the Italian invasion and if he agrees to publicly condemn Ethiopian patriots, he would be released.
He responded, "The tears of my countrymen caused by your gas and your machines will never allow my conscience to accept your ultimatum."
After a quick trial, Abune Petros was sentenced to death. The news spread rapidly in the country and Ethiopians gathered in Addis Ababa to greet him one last time. The fascist fearing rebellion and an attempt to release him, decided to move as forward as possible the date of his execution.
On the evening of 30 July 1936, he was taken to a public square, where a large crowd gathered. Addressing the crowd, he proclaimed:
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"My countrymen, do not believe the fascists telling you that the Patriots are bandits, the Patriots are people who are fighting to free us from the terror of fascism. Bandits are the soldiers who are in front of me and you, who have come from far, terrorize and violently occupy a weak and peaceful country: our Ethiopia. God gives to the people of Ethiopia the strength to resist and never bow to the Fascist army and its violence. An Ethiopian land can never accept the orders of the invading army."
Shortly after, Abune Petros was ordered to sit on a chair and shot with bullets by many Italian soldiers. He then became a national martyr in Ethiopia.
Legacy
Nowadays, Abune Petros remains a famous figure in Ethiopian history. A memorial statue was erected in 1946 near St. George's Cathedral, Addis Ababa and the author Tsegaye Gebre-Medhin wrote a play on his last days.
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