12 Facts About Abuna Basilios

Abuna Basilios was an Ethiopian-born first Archbishop or Abuna, and later the first Patriarch, of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

Patriarch Abune Basilios was born Gebre Giyorgis Wolde Tsadik in Mada Mikael, a village in the district of Merhabete in Shewa.

Abuna Basilios took the Holy Orders and became a monk at the age of 21.

Abuna Basilios went on to be appointed administrator of various churches in Ethiopia, most notably the Church of St Mary at Menagesha.

Abuna Basilios was one of the few people who although very respectful of the Emperor, was not so in awe of him as to keep his true views or feelings from the Emperor.

Abuna Basilios refused to recognize this act and proclaimed that the Imperial Guard had no authority to depose an Emperor who had been anointed by the Church, and pronounced an anathema against those who took part or supported the coup.

Abuna Basilios's statement was printed and scattered over Addis Ababa by Army helicopters.

Angry at this, Abuna Basilios made good on previous threats and secluded himself at Debre Libanos in protest.

Abuna Basilios began to spend an increasing amount of time at the monastery of Debre Libanos after his health began to fail in the early 1960s.

Abuna Basilios left more and more of his duties to Abuna Theophilos, and spent more time resting and praying at the monastery, rarely making an appearance at the Patriarchate in Addis Ababa or at the Imperial Court.

Abuna Basilios was too frail to participate in the Conference of the Oriental Orthodox Churches held in Addis Ababa in 1965, and deputized Abuna Theophilos to represent him in most of its sessions.

Abuna Basilios was succeeded by Abuna Theophilos as Patriarch of Ethiopia.