Abune Zena Markos
Encyclopedia
Abune Zena Markos was an archbishop
of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
.
, Ethiopia
. The parents of his Grace were pious and dedicated Christians to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo faith and order. His Eminence was a member of an extended family which tremendously helped build and support St. George’s Church near St. Mary’s of Melza Shumge. His Grace Archbishop Abune Zena Markos was a very bright and gifted child. In particular, he displayed, since his childhood remarkable affection and love to everyone.
since his early childhood, from prominent and respected spiritual instructors throughout Ethiopia
. By the age of 12, he had already completed the basic Ethiopic traditional scholarship, such as: Psalmody, Church hymnody, the office of deaconate, Horologium under the tutorship of Memhir Alemu of St. Mary’s of Shumge.
His Grace was quick in understanding and learning the Church’s teachings. Out of his fervent desire to pursue his theological studies, His Eminence went to St. Mary of Birkuakua to master religious poetry, the climax of Ethiopic traditional scholarship. He also studied the ancient Ethiopic commentary of Sacred Scriptures and liturgical hymnody.
Archbishop Zena Markos joined St. Hanna’s Monastery in Debre Sina to learn the Divine Liturgy from the prominent scholar, Memhir Abba Wolde Semaet. Since this instructor was very spiritual and bestowed with God’s grace, various hermits used to visit him frequently. It is worth mentioning that a hermit once came to visit Memhir Abba Wolde Semaet and thereby saw the young Archbishop Zena Markos and the pilgrim hermit then asked with astonishment, “Who brought the Seraphim here?”
This was a prophecy the hermit foretold about the extraordinary gift of His Eminence’s unique way of celebrating the Divine Liturgy and glorifying the Almighty God. Accordingly, his teacher Memhir Abba Wolde Semaet kindly advised His Eminence to focus mainly on the Liturgical services more than other areas of studies. His Grace faithfully committed himself to fulfill God’s will throughout his ecclesiastical ministry.
Furthermore, His Eminence Archbishop Zena Markos was elected by His Holiness Abune Theophilos, the second Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and was sent to Greece
for higher theological studies and advanced research. Accordingly, His Grace completed his graduate studies with a Master of Divinity
.
. Soon after, His Grace joined the monastery of Debra Libanos to deepen his theological insights and also to enrich his spiritual vocation.
His Eminence went to Zequala monastery where he became a monk with the blessings of Memhir Wolde Selassie. Eventually His Grace was ordained as priest and rendered his meritorious service at Debre Libanos
monastery. In addition, he also served as a priest and chief administrator in various monasteries and churches across the country. In this regard, remarkable to note is his extraordinary service at Kulubi Saint Gabriel Church in the province of Harar.
After finishing his graduate studies in Greece
, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
assigned His Grace in its historic monastery in Jerusalem. Soon after His Eminence was consecrated as a Bishop on January 21, 1979, and later became the Archbishop of Wolega Diocese in [Western Ethiopia]. He served diligently his congregation in Wolega with profound love and dedication for six years. From 1985 to 1991, His Eminence was elected twice as deputy Patriarch
under His Holiness Abune Tekle Haimanot, the third Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and also under His Holiness Abune Merkorewos, the fourth Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
As a result, His Eminence was forced to leave his beloved motherland and went to [Kenya]. He then came to the U.S.A. where he established his Bishopric See at Mekane Birhan [St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Cathedral] in Seattle, WA where he resided and served faithfully for over 16 years. At St. Gabriel Church he touched many lives. Many members of the church describe him as "loving and compassionate".
Furthermore, His Eminence Archbishop Zena Markos extended his apostolic duties all over the world
, most notably in Africa
, Australia
and North America
. He became instrumental to the foundation of numerous churches in Kenya
, Canada
, [Australia] and the [United States]. His dedication and hard work is quite visible and fruitful today among all the members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church which are under the auspices of the Legitimate Holy Synod in exile led by His Holiness Abune Merkorewos Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
.
To mention some of his peculiar features, Archbishop Zena Markos was a very spiritual, humble, friendly, and loving father of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He was widely renowned, highly respected and very beloved by everyone and everywhere. He remained a popular figure and role model among the clergy and the faithful."I will miss him all my life" Kirubel Legsse says. "It's hard to see the future of this church without him" says Tedros Alemayehu.
As a devout celibate [Bishop], His Eminence dedicated his entire life to the service of Christ and humankind. As per the aforementioned prophecy, His Grace was indeed the Seraphim of God in Ethiopia, the USA and all over the world. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and its members across the world are mourning at the sudden loss of His Eminence Abune Zena Markos, its living icon. We all know for sure that His Eminence will continue to pray for us and bless us and be with us in spirit.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord, Is the death of His holy Ones” (Psalms 115:6)
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the predominant Oriental Orthodox Christian church in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Church was administratively part of the Coptic Orthodox Church until 1959, when it was granted its own Patriarch by Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All...
.
Early life
His Eminence Archbishop Abune Zena Markos was born to his father Mr. Begosew Wolde Tsadek and his mother Mrs. Genet Wolde Giorgis on November 2, 1937. He was born in Dega Melza, in the district of Ebenat, located in the province of GondarGondar
Gondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. The parents of his Grace were pious and dedicated Christians to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo faith and order. His Eminence was a member of an extended family which tremendously helped build and support St. George’s Church near St. Mary’s of Melza Shumge. His Grace Archbishop Abune Zena Markos was a very bright and gifted child. In particular, he displayed, since his childhood remarkable affection and love to everyone.
Education
According to the Holy Synod of Ethiopia, his Eminence started to learn the teachings of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo ChurchEthiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the predominant Oriental Orthodox Christian church in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Church was administratively part of the Coptic Orthodox Church until 1959, when it was granted its own Patriarch by Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All...
since his early childhood, from prominent and respected spiritual instructors throughout Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. By the age of 12, he had already completed the basic Ethiopic traditional scholarship, such as: Psalmody, Church hymnody, the office of deaconate, Horologium under the tutorship of Memhir Alemu of St. Mary’s of Shumge.
His Grace was quick in understanding and learning the Church’s teachings. Out of his fervent desire to pursue his theological studies, His Eminence went to St. Mary of Birkuakua to master religious poetry, the climax of Ethiopic traditional scholarship. He also studied the ancient Ethiopic commentary of Sacred Scriptures and liturgical hymnody.
Archbishop Zena Markos joined St. Hanna’s Monastery in Debre Sina to learn the Divine Liturgy from the prominent scholar, Memhir Abba Wolde Semaet. Since this instructor was very spiritual and bestowed with God’s grace, various hermits used to visit him frequently. It is worth mentioning that a hermit once came to visit Memhir Abba Wolde Semaet and thereby saw the young Archbishop Zena Markos and the pilgrim hermit then asked with astonishment, “Who brought the Seraphim here?”
This was a prophecy the hermit foretold about the extraordinary gift of His Eminence’s unique way of celebrating the Divine Liturgy and glorifying the Almighty God. Accordingly, his teacher Memhir Abba Wolde Semaet kindly advised His Eminence to focus mainly on the Liturgical services more than other areas of studies. His Grace faithfully committed himself to fulfill God’s will throughout his ecclesiastical ministry.
Furthermore, His Eminence Archbishop Zena Markos was elected by His Holiness Abune Theophilos, the second Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and was sent to Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
for higher theological studies and advanced research. Accordingly, His Grace completed his graduate studies with a Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
.
Ordinance, Promotion and Service
Upon the completion of his extensive ecclesiastical studies, His Eminence Archbishop Zena Markos was ordained as a deacon by the late Abune Michael, the Archbishop of GondarGondar
Gondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
. Soon after, His Grace joined the monastery of Debra Libanos to deepen his theological insights and also to enrich his spiritual vocation.
His Eminence went to Zequala monastery where he became a monk with the blessings of Memhir Wolde Selassie. Eventually His Grace was ordained as priest and rendered his meritorious service at Debre Libanos
Debre Libanos
Debre Libanos is a monastery in Ethiopia, lying northwest of Addis Ababa in the Oromia Region. Founded in the thirteenth century by Saint Tekle Haymanot, the monastery's chief abbot, called the Ichege, was the second most powerful official in the Ethiopian Church after the Abuna.The monastery...
monastery. In addition, he also served as a priest and chief administrator in various monasteries and churches across the country. In this regard, remarkable to note is his extraordinary service at Kulubi Saint Gabriel Church in the province of Harar.
After finishing his graduate studies in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the predominant Oriental Orthodox Christian church in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Church was administratively part of the Coptic Orthodox Church until 1959, when it was granted its own Patriarch by Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All...
assigned His Grace in its historic monastery in Jerusalem. Soon after His Eminence was consecrated as a Bishop on January 21, 1979, and later became the Archbishop of Wolega Diocese in [Western Ethiopia]. He served diligently his congregation in Wolega with profound love and dedication for six years. From 1985 to 1991, His Eminence was elected twice as deputy Patriarch
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
under His Holiness Abune Tekle Haimanot, the third Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and also under His Holiness Abune Merkorewos, the fourth Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
Life in Exile
In 1991, the current [Ethiopian] People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) took power and forcefully dethroned His Holiness Patriarch Abune Merkorios. For the sake of the stability of the Church, His Eminence Archbishop temporally served as the chairperson of the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church from 1991 to 1992. In 1992, the EPRDF illegally assigned its Patriarch, disregarding the longstanding apostolic canon of the Church.As a result, His Eminence was forced to leave his beloved motherland and went to [Kenya]. He then came to the U.S.A. where he established his Bishopric See at Mekane Birhan [St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Cathedral] in Seattle, WA where he resided and served faithfully for over 16 years. At St. Gabriel Church he touched many lives. Many members of the church describe him as "loving and compassionate".
Furthermore, His Eminence Archbishop Zena Markos extended his apostolic duties all over the world
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
, most notably in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. He became instrumental to the foundation of numerous churches in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, [Australia] and the [United States]. His dedication and hard work is quite visible and fruitful today among all the members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church which are under the auspices of the Legitimate Holy Synod in exile led by His Holiness Abune Merkorewos Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the predominant Oriental Orthodox Christian church in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Church was administratively part of the Coptic Orthodox Church until 1959, when it was granted its own Patriarch by Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All...
.
Absence of a living icon
His Eminence Abune Zena Markos, Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church died on Saturday February 13, 2010 in Seattle, Washington at the age of 72. He was always grateful for the hospitality given to him by the American government and the people at large. His Grace had always sought the well being of the American government and its people in his daily prayers and supplications.To mention some of his peculiar features, Archbishop Zena Markos was a very spiritual, humble, friendly, and loving father of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He was widely renowned, highly respected and very beloved by everyone and everywhere. He remained a popular figure and role model among the clergy and the faithful."I will miss him all my life" Kirubel Legsse says. "It's hard to see the future of this church without him" says Tedros Alemayehu.
As a devout celibate [Bishop], His Eminence dedicated his entire life to the service of Christ and humankind. As per the aforementioned prophecy, His Grace was indeed the Seraphim of God in Ethiopia, the USA and all over the world. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and its members across the world are mourning at the sudden loss of His Eminence Abune Zena Markos, its living icon. We all know for sure that His Eminence will continue to pray for us and bless us and be with us in spirit.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord, Is the death of His holy Ones” (Psalms 115:6)
External links
- http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=abune-zena-markos&pid=139808791
- http://o.seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/obituaries/2011111580_bishopobit18m.html
- http://www.ethiopiawinet.asn.au/htmlfiles/1gnaZena.htm
- http://ecadforum.com/blog1/News/911
- http://www.ecmaseattle.org/