Author(s) :

Hiruie Ermias.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Apart from the life history and spiritual combats of saints, hagiographies deal with various historical occurrences that happened during the lifetime of the saints to whom they are dedicated. In some cases, incidents that took place before the rise of the saints are narrated in the hagiographies as standing points of the stories happened during their lifetime. The Hagiography of St. Qawǝsṭos is one of the oldest hagiographical manuscripts which are rich in cultural and historical accounts. It is composed by Abuna Mabāʻa Ṣǝyon who was the disciple of the saint in the 14th century. As a direct witness, the composer wrote the saint’s spiritual struggle and achievements sincerely and unambiguously. He has carefully mentioned the places where the incidents that had relation with the saint took place. The flow of the historical narratives covers the period between 970 BC to 15th CE, from Jerusalem to Kafā and ‘Ǝnsāro of Ethiopia. One of its peculiarities is that some of the historical accounts are not found written in other relevant sources. It also provides extent information with regard the known historical narrations such as the arrival of Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopia. The aim of this narrative article is to concisely demonstrate such historical narratives described in the hagiography. It consists of four sections and eight sub-sections which contain various selected issues. The first section is an introduction which gives an impression of the significance of hagiographies. The second and third sections deal with the tradition of the hagiography and the historical events described in it. The fourth section is a conclusion that delivers a short and kind recommendation.

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