Imahoy Abichew Haile Mausoleum & Museum Commemoration
Dejen Woreda, Gojjam
Merhayesus Monastery is an iconic Ethiopian Orthodox monastic institution that rests on the side of a cliff in the Amhara highlands. Within it scores of worshipers study the ancient manuscripts and learn about the rich history of their community. This monastery claims its roots dating back to the time of a 4th century Axumite emperor named of Ezana. During this time a Phoenician monk by the name of Frumentius traveled throughout Ethiopia. Over the course of his travels he is said to have established three monasteries, the second of which is Merhayesus Monastery, then church. Currently, the monastery hosts dozens of priests and monastic nuns, serves as a school for religious education, and is the primary place of worship for thousands of believers in the area.
The Mausoleum and Museum is named in honor of matriarch, Imahoy Abichew Haile Bora, a prominent member of the church and the community at large who once served as the monastery’s steering committee chair and was responsible for extensive humanitarian and faith-based efforts in the region. Her position as “Inde Rasay”, meaning “liken to myself”, was a responsibility that had been passed from generation to generation within her family since the founding of the monastery and has continued to be handed to generations that followed after her passing.
On August 30, 2021, Commissioner Yodit Negede traveled to Merhayesus Monastery for the commemoration of the newly constructed Imahoy Abichew Haile Mausoleum and Museum. Nearly 1,800 community members came out to celebrate the occasion over the course of the two day festivities. Attendees included the Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, the City’s Mayor, the Zone Administrators, and many other community leaders. The lively occasion was preceded by a feast hosted by the Commissioner that fed approximately 800 attendees to show her appreciation for the community’s support of this monumental occasion.
Though there is still much work to be done in the finishing and grounds keeping of the project, the Commissioner is confident that, upon completion, this building will have a complete mausoleum on the first floor and an ancient text and artifact museum on the second.
The monastery, its students, priests, and parishioners look forward to utilizing the space as a place where guests and community members can come to learn about the rich history that this monastery has safeguarded for centuries.
