Remembering Abune Melchizedek of Ethiopia

June 2015 – Yohanan Elyas

On June 21st we remember our father the late His Grace Abune Melchizedek, Bishop of Kembata, Hadiya, Silte and Guraghe Diocese. He was born in 1960, on 1st June at Mehur, a rural place in the South-Central highland of Ethiopia. He lived his childhood with his father Kinfe Michael Wolde Senbet, a priest and his mother Askale Mariam Wolde Meskel, a house wife.

He began his early education at Mihur Eyesus Gedam, a famous monastery near his birth place. At the monastery he completed spiritual education from Ethiopian alphabet to Deacon level. Engaging himself in full-time at the monastery, he further enriched his spiritual knowledge by learning hymn and liturgies. Along with education served the monastery by collecting fuel wood, fetching water and liturgical services with complete politeness and loyalty. By joining the Ziway Hamere Berhan Saint Gebriel Monastery in 1978, he learned gospel and became a zealous evangelist.

He was ordained as a Monk Priest with blessings and by the hands of His Grace Abune Gorgorios II, head of the monastery. During his eight years-stay in the monastery, he acquired more knowledge in the fields of prose & verses as well as various liturgical services from different church fathers and authorities. Later he was promoted to train priests in liturgy and assign them on development activities. Moreover, participating actively in apostolic missions , he brought back many youth souls to the holy church.

In pursuit of spiritual wisdom he joined the “Sewaswe Berhan Kidus Paulos” Higher Theological College in 1985. While attending the Four-year course, he has served as a Sunday school teacher at “Debre Selam Kidus Stefanos” Church. After his graduation from the college he received a diploma from the hands of His Holiness Abune Merkorewos and  he was appointed as head of Evangelical Department at East-Shewa Diocese and worked there for about an year.

By the order of the Holy Synod, he was again assigned to a greater service at holy Jerusalem. Due to his faithfulness and loyalty, the fathers of the monastery appointed him as head of the Saint Philips Monastery. Along side with his duties he had learned English language at American School.

Upon his return from Jerusalem, he was appointed as an Administrator of “Debre Bisrat Kidus Gebriel” Church in Addis Ababa. In addition to those mentioned, the following positions where held by Abuna.

*.Administrator, “Debre Hail Kidus Raguel” Church.
*.Assistant to Bishop of East-Shewa Diocese.
*.Archbishop, East-Shewa Diocese.
*.Head of the Delegation of Ethiopian Orthodox Church to Europe.
*.West-Shewa Diocese was included to his leadership.
*.Manager of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church from May 2004 to May 2007.
*.Continued on working Archbishop’s position until the date of his death on 21st June 2010.

From spiritual point of view, His Grace Abune Melketsedek was a devoted and committed person in preaching, in helping the poor, in building churches and expanding worship services. He was  zealous in religious matters. He has produced many disciples as well.

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