This
message was sent to Rasta Ites by Ras Sela - Harar trod report will
soon be forwarded
Message
to Rastafarians
When
the universe was in perfect time and place, Sunday July 23, 1892, a
son was born to Yeshembet Ali and Ras Makonnen. This boy was the 225th
direct descendant of the Solomonic dynasty. At the time of his birth
there was a legend, in Ejersa Goro, and Kombocha, (towns of Harar),
which goes like this:
Due
to many failed pregnancies, Yeshembet, and Ras Makonnen were eagerly
awaiting the birth of the child, when wise men came to visit them in
Harar. This is what they foretold:
“Do
not worry, just listen to our advice, and do what we say. You will
have a son, who will be destined to hold the scepter of King Solomon,
and inherit the throne of David. He will be called Teferi-“the
awesome”. Now, both of you leave this palace and go to the small
town of Ejersa Goro- “the garden of olive”, where the birth shall
take place. Yeshembet should not see her newborn baby, who should be
immediately taken to Kombolcha.”
Out
of this legend both Ejersa and Kombolcha became to be known as the
second Bethlehem . This is recorded in the registries of Hohete
Meskrak Kidane Meheret, and Kidest Miriam churches found respectively
in Ejersa Goro, and Kombolcha.
Hohete
Mesrake Kidane Meheret, is the name given to the church by His
Imperial Majesty, in 1952 when it was inaugurated. Kidest Mariam
church is the name given and built by order of Ras Makonnen, which it
was also the place of baptism and the spiritual home of the young
Teferi.
According
to the history of these churches, at the height of their glory, 300
priests selected from all over the provinces celebrated at High Mass.
Such services were performed according to the glorious and uniquely
annotated music of St Yared. It was then believed that the sound of
this holy music brought down the angles of heaven. His Imperial
Majesty Haile Selassie attended and participated in this great service
twice a year.
Those
blessed old days have long gone. Today we find only one priest in each
church performing this important service, hoping and trusting that
one-day the glory of the churches will come again.
Now,
the two churches should be considered the heritage sites of the Rastas
for their historical links to His Majesty, as landmarks, between the
past, present, and future. They are also important for pilgrims as
part of the process of their true spiritual connection.
During
my two visits to these Holy lands, I had the chance to be acquainted
with the priest of each church. In the midst of our long conversation,
I told them about the faith of the Rastafarians, who are to be found
all over the world. They were amazed and wished to know why the Rastas
have not yet come to visit the birthplace, and spiritual home of their
messiah?
These
two churches are now stretching welcoming hands and opening their
doors to all Rastafarians so they can pay homage to His Majesty’s
birthplace, and the town of his early education.
It
is time to restore the glory of the churches!
It
is time to write new poems and lyrics about the glory of these
churches!
It
is time to turn a new page in history!
When
you come to Ethiopia make sure your plan include visit to these
historical churches. To speak to the priests in advance here are the
contact addresses:
--Ejersa
Goro, (38 km from the city of Harar )
Kes
Mussie Walelign: Telephone 025-22-90-103 (home)
Belay
Woubeshet (English speaker) 0913 –321-580 (cell)
---Kombolcha,
(35 km from the city of Harar, and 3 km from Ejeras Goro )
Kes
Melake Selam: Telephone 091-24-46-022 (cell)
Abraham Sheferaw (English speaker) 0913216741 (cell)
Please
forward this message to family and friends.
Peace
and love from the land of daily miracles, and home of the arc of the
covenant, Ethiopia .
