15 Facts About Abune Petros

Abune Petros was an Ethiopian bishop and martyr, who was known for his execution by firing squad in 1936 by Fascist Italian troops for his resistance to the Italian invasion of Ethiopia.

Abune Petros grew up in a peasant family and was educated from elementary school to the highest stage of ecclesiastical education at the monastery of Debre Libanos, where he took vows in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and became a monk in 1916.

Abune Petros started his teaching career at the monastery of Meskabe Kedusan in Amhara Sayint in Wollo Province, and later he moved to Debre-Menkerat monastery in Welayta, South Ethiopia, where he was authorized by the church as the teacher in charge.

Abune Petros's sermons were known and appreciated by the local population.

Abune Petros spent a lot of time in monasteries around the city of Dessie and the region of Wereilu.

Abune Petros was well known for his teaching and preaching to the people around the region to seek first the kingdom of God.

Abune Petros then was assigned as the bishop of the central and eastern part of Ethiopia, where he continued to preach the gospel.

Abune Petros was used to fasting and praying a lot.

Aboune Petros went with Emperor Haile Selassie I at the northern war front where he assisted the wounded.

Abune Petros attended the violence used by the fascists in particular against civilians.

The attack failed and Abune Petros was captured by the Italians on 29 July 1936.

Abune Petros was captured by the Italians on 29 July 1936.

Shortly after, Abune Petros was ordered to sit on a chair and shot with bullets by many Italian soldiers.

Nowadays, Abune Petros remains a famous figure in Ethiopian history.

Abune Petros now is named as "Saint Abune Petros" by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and a church is built by his name.